November 19, 2020

In cooperation with state mandates and local efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, beginning Saturday, November 21st the Laurel County Public Library will be online and drive-thru service ONLY until December 13, 2020. This means you have until 5pm tomorrow (November 20th) to come in and browse our shelves.

Our drive-thru will remain open during this time in order to serve you in the safest way possible. Items can be placed on hold by calling the library or by visiting our website.

We will continue to accept items through our book drop. These items are cleaned and then quarantined for 96 hours to make them safe for other patrons.

Library staff is working hard to find all the ways we can continue to provide the excellent services our community has come to expect from us. We will continue to offer Take and Make Craft Kits on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

At this time we are still planning to host Candy Canes, Cocoa, and Carols on December 3^rd. It was designed from the beginning to be a safe, low-contact curbside event and we think that it will offer a much needed break from the stress of this pandemic. 

If you haven’t already, check out our amazing digital media collection. We’re continually adding more content for patrons to enjoy. These resources have had their credits increased, so you can download more than ever before. Visit our website to find out how to get a digital library card and you’ll be on your way to downloading amazing content.

Staff will be available by phone and through our online chat service via our website to answer questions regarding how to register for a digital library card and how to utilize our online digital collection.

If you need access to our WiFi, you can enjoy our covered patio area near our auditorium.

Stay safe, stay healthy, wear your mask, and please keep washing your hands.

Leah Rudder
Director of the Laurel County Public Library

October 14, 2020 – 4:00pm EDT

We’re happy to report the library will reopen October 15th on a regular schedule, 9am-5pm.

The building has undergone a professional deep clean following the library’s exposure to ensure we are doing everything we can to prohibit the spread of COVID-19. While the person did test positive for COVID-19, this person has consistently followed Healthy at Work protocols of wearing a mask, social distancing, hand washing, etc.

The library takes precautions to keep both patrons and staff healthy. The building is professionally cleaned weekly, and our staff is vigilant to clean daily. All materials are quarantined for 96 hours once it is returned. In addition to staff following Healthy at Work guidelines, time limits have been in place for anyone who visits the library.

As we continue to learn more we’ll make adjustments as needed.

We want everyone to know we not only value your patronage but your health as well, so we’ll continue to do all we can to keep everyone safe. Stay safe, be kind to everyone, and wash your hands.

Leah Rudder
Director of the Laurel County Public Library

October 14, 2020 – 8:00am EDT

Due to concern of possible COVID-19 exposure, the Laurel County Public Library will be closed Wednesday, October 14th to deep clean the building. We are committed to providing the best services to our community which is why we are taking this seriously for both patrons and staff.

The drive-thru will remain open as it is very low contact. As always, our digital collection is available 24 hours a day. Please check back for further updates

Staff will be available by phone and through our online chat service via our website to answer questions regarding how to register for a digital library card and how to utilize our online digital collection. If you need access to our WiFi, you can enjoy our covered patio area near our auditorium.

Leah Rudder
Director of the Laurel County Public Library

July 16, 2020

We take our responsibility very seriously to keep our patrons and staff safe and healthy while providing the best possible service. Over the past few months we’ve continued to closely monitor health trends and have worked to try and stay ahead of complications that the COVID-19 epidemic creates for our daily operations.

That being said we’ll need to make some adjustments.

This week we’ve been adding additional staff to our evening cleaning regimen. This crew has been working diligently to deep clean the entire public area at the end of each day, once the library has closed.

We have worked hard over the past several months to keep surfaces wiped down throughout the day but feel like it’s in everyone’s best interest if we thoroughly clean the library to a degree that is difficult to do when patrons are inside the building. This will help ensure that when we welcome our high-risk patrons in the building the following morning, the library is the safest that it can be.

In order to accommodate this shift in personnel, the library will only be offering drive-thru services on Saturdays. You can still call and reserve up to ten items to be picked up through the drive-thru, but browsing the stacks will not be allowed on Saturdays at this time. However, patrons can still use the computers but they will need to call ahead as it will be by appointment only and time will be limited.

Staff will be available by phone and through our online chat service via our website to answer questions regarding how to register for a digital library card and how to utilize our online digital collection. If you need access to our WiFi, you can enjoy our covered patio area near our auditorium.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please know that we are only trying to do what is best for our patrons and our staff and our library. We want to be as mindful of this situation as possible in order to keep our doors open and accessible. Stay safe, stay healthy, wash your hands, and please continue to wear your masks.

Leah Rudder
Director of the Laurel County Public Library

June 5, 2020

The time has finally come! We’re reopening on June 15th and we couldn’t be more excited to let our patrons back through the library door. Trust us…we’ve missed everyone so much. We still have state guidelines that must be followed in order to allow our patrons back into the building, so please take a second and read over our new guidelines.

These will be temporary and they’re subject to change, but please familiarize yourself so we can reopen in the safest way possible.

• We’ll have limited hours for a while to give us plenty of time to fully clean and sanitize everything daily. These hours will be Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm.

Special hours of 9-10am will be designated to our patrons who are more at-risk of COVID-19 such as our senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems. We ask that all other patrons plan their visits to begin after 10am.

• A limited number of patrons are allowed in the building at the same time. This means that visits inside the building will be limited to 30 minutes for selecting books and one hour for computer usage. We know that everyone will be excited to come back to the library, but please be mindful of your time inside the building so that we can accommodate everyone.
• All staff members will be wearing masks, so anyone entering the building will be strongly advised to do so as well. Be a good a library friend. This not only protects all the patrons, including yourself, but our staff as well.
• Social distancing WILL BE REQUIRED. There will be signage throughout the library to remind everyone of this.
• If you need to access Wi-Fi, you can access it from outside the building or by visiting our new “outdoor patio area” located on the auditorium side of the building. Study rooms will be temporarily closed.
• The Kentucky Room will be open by appointment only, and only for one hour at a time. Reservations can be made by calling the library and asking for the Reference Desk.
• There will be an information desk located in the entrance of the library to help remind everyone of time limits and other protocols, as well as answering any questions you have.
• Most of our seating areas will be temporarily removed along with the toys from the children’s department to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help us remain compliant to these new guidelines.
• We’re continuing our efforts to sanitize all items that are returned. Items that are returned are cleaned with a hospital grade solution and quarantined for 96 hours before they’re put back on the library shelves.

We completely understand if you’re still not comfortable coming inside the building, that’s why our drive-thru service will continue. You can reserve up to ten items by simply calling the library or by logging into our website. We’ve also added virtual bookshelves for those that like to browse our special collections.

We’re continuing to add interesting books, audiobooks, and movies and we’ve recently added many new services to our digital collection. If you’ve not checked out what’s new, you’re missing out. The digital collection can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If the epidemic has taught anything, it’s to be flexible and understanding. Please know that these changes will be temporary and if we remain compliant and everyone does their part, they’ll pass sooner than later. All guidelines are subject to change based on further instructions that we may receive.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Leah Rudder
Director of the Laurel County Public Library

May 19, 2020

We’re still working to determine an appropriate re-opening date for our library. The Governor’s office has told us that specific guidelines and building capacity limits would be forthcoming. While we’re not sure what reopening will look like yet. We do know that it won’t be “business as usual.” There will be new rules, new procedures, and service limitations. Some of these may be temporary, and some may be long term.

Before our closure, it was common for hundreds of people to enter our building each day. That meant hundreds of people each day touched the same books, computers, newspapers, study tables, and door handles. It was common for more than 100 people to sit in close quarters in our meeting room to experience a program together. Young children would play with toys and and look at books – and then minutes later another child would touch those same books and toys. In an environment that is designed for people to browse, linger, and share common resources – reopening in the midst of COVID-19 has serious implications.

We’re eager to welcome you back, and we want to do it safely. This will mean we need to go slowly at first. Please be patient with us. We’re trying to make the very best decisions for our patrons, our community, and our staff.

In the meantime, our drive-thru service is open and our digital collection is always increasing in content. We have a lot to figure out in the upcoming weeks, and we’ll be able to make more decisions once more guidelines are released. You, our valued patrons, will be kept informed all along the way.

Thank you for your patience and your support as we navigate this new normal, together.

Leah Rudder
Director of the Laurel County Public Library

April 30, 2020

Beginning May 11, 2020 library patrons will be able to place hold requests on items and pick them up at our drive-thru window. Patrons can place hold requests by logging into their account on our website or calling us at (606) 864-5759.

We will begin accepting items through our book drop beginning May 4, 2020, which will allow us time to clean and quarantine items that are being returned making them safe for everyone. However, if you choose to keep your items longer, no fines will be accrued on your account.

Access inside the library will remain closed until further notice as we continue to cooperate with state and local efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Library staff is working hard to find all the ways we can continue to provide the excellent services our community has come to expect from us. Keep checking our website and social media accounts as we share with you the resources that you can enjoy from home.

If you haven’t already, check out our amazing digital media collection. We’re continually adding more content for patrons to enjoy. These resources have had their credits increased, so you can download more than ever before. Visit our website to find out how to get a digital library card and you’ll be on your way to downloading amazing content.

Staff will be available by phone and our online chat service via our website to answer questions regarding how to register for a digital library card and how to utilize our online digital collection.

Stay safe, stay healthy, wear your masks, and please keep washing your hands.

Leah Rudder
Director of the Laurel County Public Library

April 6, 2020

In cooperation with state and local efforts to minimize the spread of the COVID-19, the Laurel County Public Library will be continue to be closed until April 30, 2020.

Library staff is working hard to find all the ways we can continue to provide the excellent services our community has come to expect from us. Keep checking our website and social media accounts as we share with you the resources that you can enjoy from home.

If you haven’t already, check out our amazing digital media collection. We’re continually adding more content for patrons to enjoy. These resources have had their credits increased, so you can download more than ever before. Visit our website to find out how to get a digital library card and you’ll be on your way to downloading amazing content.

We continue to ask for patrons to NOT RETURN ITEMS. Our book drop has been sealed and for the safety of our staff and patrons we WILL NOT ACCEPT ITEMS during our closure. No fines will be accrued on your account for any material.

Staff will be available by phone and our online chat service via our website to answer questions regarding how to register for a digital library card and how to utilize our online digital collection.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and please keep washing your hands.

Leah Rudder
Director of the Laurel County Public Library

March 24, 2020

In cooperation with state and local efforts to minimize the spread of the COVID-19, the Laurel County Public Library will be closed until April 7, 2020. We’ll continue to monitor and re-evaluate over the upcoming days.

At this time, we feel that it is in everyone’s best interest to stop our drive-thru services. We are fortunate to see what a great impact it had on our patrons and will re-open that service when everything returns back to normal.

Library staff is working hard to find all the ways we can continue to provide the excellent services our community has come to expect from us. Our website and social media will be updated frequently to let you know what will be available in the upcoming days.

We have an amazing digital media collection that can be accessed in a variety of ways. These resources have had their download limit recently increased, so be sure to check that out. Visit our website to find out how to get a digital library card and you’ll be on your way to downloading amazing content.

We ask for patrons to NOT RETURN ITEMS. Our book drop has been sealed and for the safety of our staff and patrons we WILL NOT ACCEPT ITEMS during this time. No fines will be accrued on your account for any material.

Staff will be available by phone and our online chat service via our website to answer questions regarding how to register for a digital library card and how to utilize our online digital collection.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and please keep washing your hands.

Leah Rudder
Director of the Laurel County Public Library

A message from Leah Rudder, Library Director:

March 16, 2020

In cooperation with state and local efforts to minimize the spread of the COVID-19, the Laurel County Public Library will be closed until March 30, 2020. We’ll continue to monitor and re-evaluate over the upcoming days.

Please understand that this decision was not an easy one, as we know the Library is a huge part of our community. We are one in a very large number of libraries across the Commonwealth that are doing their part by temporarily closing their doors.

The Library has up to 10,000 patrons visiting each month, and that number drastically increases when school is closed. In addition to this, the Library has a circulation rate that can reach 30,000 items per month. Given these facts, the Board of Trustees, along with myself, feel that closing the Library temporarily will allow for us to do our part regarding separation and social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

We’re actively working on additional methods that will allow the Library to continue providing the excellent services our patrons expect. Keep an eye on our website and our social media as we make these methods available in the upcoming days.

If you haven’t already tried our digital media collection, we couldn’t think of a better time to start. We’ve increased the download limits to 15 items per service which means you could check out up to 75 items in total! All you need is your library card or a digital library card to get started.

Another way we’re making the library available to patrons is offering a Drive-Thru Pickup Service. Patrons can either go online or call and place hold requests, then drive through to our window located beside the book drop and pick up items. In addition, we’ve also increased our hold limit from 3 items to 10.

We ask everyone to not feel compelled to return the items that you already have checked out. No fines will be accrued if you decide to wait and return items until the Library re-opens. However, if you want to return the items that you have checked out, bring them to the outside book drop and please don’t hand them directly to a staff member.

All items that are returned will be cleaned with hospital-grade sanitation cleaners and placed in quarantine for 96 hours. During this time, our staff is sanitizing all surfaces of the library to ensure that we’ll be ready to re-open with a safe environment.

Staff will be available by phone and our online chat service via our website to answer questions regarding how to register for a digital library card and how to utilize our online digital collection.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and keep washing your hands.

Leah Rudder
Director of the Laurel County Public Library