The Haines Library’s pick-up service will continue for the foreseeable future. After discussion at Tuesday’s borough assembly meeting, member Paul Rogers withdrew his resolution which would have ended the service.

Rogers said he had introduced the resolution because he was concerned that the library was accepting returns and lending the same books out to new borrowers. He said he worried that, despite the library’s efforts to sanitize the books, the process introduced an unnecessary level of risk. In the resolution he referenced language in a state health mandate requiring closure of all libraries, museums and archives.

Alaska state librarian Patience Frederiksen has said the health mandate was designed to give communities the flexibility to provide a pick-up library service if desired. 

Assembly member Zephyr Sincerny said he did not believe ending library circulation was necessary at this time. He said while he was not trying to make a statement about whether or not the library is an essential service, at present, it’s valuable for people to have access to its entertainment and educational opportunities.

Rogers said he had become more comfortable with the idea of allowing the library to continue to serve the public after learning that books were lent out with the understanding that they would not be returned or recirculated until the end of pandemic concerns.

In a memo to Schnabel included in the assembly meeting packet, library director Carolyn Goolsby described the new practices the library has implemented to meet state health mandate requirements for continued service.

At present, the library building is closed to the public. A single staff member may occupy the building at any given time. Staff wear gloves when handling books, placing them in labeled paper bags at the front of the building for pickup. Book returns are prohibited and late fees are waived.

Assembly member Gabe Thomas said he had been prepared to support Roger’s resolution but had changed his mind after hearing that the library had changed its lending practices. He said he had received 140 emails from community members concerned about the proposal to close the library.

Several assembly members said they wished they had been informed sooner that the library was no longer accepting book returns. They said they had first learned of the change in Goolsby’s memo.

Borough manager Debra Schnabel said she regretted that the assembly had acted without having all the facts. The information had been available, but no one had asked for it, she said.

Residents interested in renting materials from the library can submit requests via email or over the phone. Pick-up hours are 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.