It's hard to find any form of business, service, or entertainment that hasn't been affected by COVID-19. The Missoula Public Library has announced that the move to their new facility, as well as the planned celebration, will be postponed due to progress being slowed because of the pandemic. The library's new home has been four years in the making - I guess we can live with a few extra weeks.

Earlier this year, the library announced an opening date of July 15th that would include a ribbon cutting ceremony. Closures to product suppliers slowed down progress and has pushed the opening back more than a month. The new plan is for the library to pause services, including curbside lending, on July 22nd. At that time they'll begin the move to the new building.

A reopening date hasn't been finalized but the hope is that the new library will open the doors before September.

Read a message from the library director below.

 

Dear friends,

As Missoula Public Library prepares to move into the new facility at 455 E Main Street, we regret to inform our community that we must postpone a previously planned Grand Opening Celebration.

Our move and opening will be delayed by a little more than a month due to COVID-19- related issues. Closures of factories in the Midwest and Washington State that were scheduled to produce materials needed for the Library’s interior have slowed down building completion. And the Phase Two social distancing protocols and limits on public assemblies proscribed by local and state directives impact our ability to host large-scale events and gatherings.

Beginning July 22, Missoula Public Library will temporarily suspend curbside lending, online/virtual programming, and Reference services.

Service suspension will allow staff to focus on the safe and orderly moving and restocking of the Library’s extensive collection. We encourage library users to order and pick up the materials they will need for the summer prior to July 22. To help us with the transition from old building to new, we further invite users to hold onto materials that belong specifically to Missoula Public Library until the end of the summer (not applicable to partner library items).

MPL is unable to set a firm re-opening date at this time, but we anticipate being able to welcome the public sometime in August.

The Library will continue to work closely with our City-County Health Department to provide a safe environment for all community members to enjoy upon the opening of Missoula’s new headquarters for learning, sharing, and growing.

Thank you for your patience and support during these uncertain times.

Honore Bray, Director,
Missoula Public Library

 

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