The main area at the Salem Public Library, with art by artist Amanda Wojick on a shear wall on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
The Salem Public Library won’t reopen at its main or west Salem locations Wednesday due to rising Covid cases, the city of Salem said in a news release Tuesday afternoon.
Steve Powers, Salem city manager, said higher Covid rates are continuing to impact the hospital and community.
“To do our part, we are discouraging large groups from gathering. We’ll celebrate the renovated library when it is safe to do so – and re-open in-person library services when there is confidence that, when we reopen, we will be able to stay open. We are also postponing the reopening celebration for Center 50+,” Powers said in a statement.
Both reopening celebrations have been postponed indefinitely.
Salem Reporter had initially reported on Tuesday the library was reopening as scheduled ahead of the city’s announcement.
Virtual library services will remain available. New book drops, located on the Liberty Street turn-in between the Library and City Hall, will open Sept. 1.
The release said library staff are working on a plan to resume curbside service at the main library at 585 Liberty St. S.E.
“The city asks for patience from our community, so that we may do our best to safely provide services,” the release said.
-Saphara Harrell and Rachel Alexander
