YACHATS — It’s been two years to the month since the all-volunteer Yachats Library had to curtail its days and hours due to the pandemic — and all that changes starting Monday.
Thanks to the relaxation of Covid-19 mandates, the library has announced a return to traditional days and hours of operation as follows:
- Monday: noon to 4 p.m.;
- Tuesday: noon to 5 p.m.;
- Wednesday: noon to 6 p.m;
- Thursday: Noon to 5 p.m.; and
- Friday: noon to 4 p.m.
There may be additional Saturday hours, which will be announced on the notice board in front of the Yachats Commons and outside the library.
Although masks won’t be required “we are encouraging people to wear masks,” said library co-manager Rose Valentine.
While patrons may freely browse, use computers and take advantage of the full services of the library starting Monday, there will be a 30-minute limit on each person’s visit. A sign-in sheet will remain near the entrance to note entry times.
“It’s exciting to finally re-open the library the way it was two years ago,” said Valentine. “We’ve not been able to give our patrons all the services they need,” since the pandemic lockdown in March 2020.
The facility had to expand and shrink its open schedule multiple times as the pandemic grew and receded over the past two years. Recently, the only service offered was pick-up of materials reserved through a new, online system.
The library currently has about two dozen volunteers, with one in training, and isn’t actively seeking new help at present.