As public facilities and gatherings are cancelled to help against the spread of COVID-19, individuals, companies and government agencies are looking at ways they can help. For public libraries, this means doing what they do best – providing access to information!

At the SDG Library, all eResources including eBooks, audiobooks, eMagazines, eNewspapers, online courses, and subject databases continue to be available with an SDG Library card. Residents without SDG Library membership can register online and get started using these resources right away.

As well, links to literacy-related resources and activities are being collected and shared to give families with young children ideas for staying busy during these difficult times. To access SDG Library resources and information, please visit www.sdglibrary.ca/virtual-storytimes.

Updates and new resources will be shared as they become available, so check back often.

About closures

All SDG Library branches and are temporarily closed until at least Monday, April 6, 2020. Due dates on materials currently checked out have been extended and holds have been suspended. All book return bins have been locked and service to the Library Depots is also suspended. Updates on the impacts of the COVID-19 situation on Library Services can be found at www.sdglibrary.ca/covid-19-updates.

The Champlain Township Public Library has been closed since March 16. This decision was made based on information provided by the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) with regards to COVID-19 (coronavirus). The current plan is to reopen on Monday, April 6, 2020 and the library says it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. Patrons can continue to return library materials in the outside drop box. The library will waive any late fees during this time. All programs and events are cancelled. Patrons are encouraged to take advantage of online electronic resources for eBooks and eAudiobooks at www.bc-cl.ca. If you have any questions please email: [email protected] and staff will reply as quickly as possible.

Champlain Library has also been offering virtual story-time via its Facebook page.

The Hawkesbury Public Library will be closed until April 5, due to the COVID-19 threat. If you have books currently on loan, you are asked to hold onto them; the book drop-off will not be available while the library is closed. Late fees will not be imposed and any outstanding library fees will not accumulate during this time.

The Hawkesbury Public Library notes that its online resources will continue to be available 24/7 and can be accessed remotely using your library card. Visit: www.bibliotheque.hawkesbury.on.ca to download eBooks and audiobooks and magazines and use the library’s online resources.

All branches of the Alfred and Plantagenet libraries are closed until April 6, 2020. You can visit the library website to find out about the library’s online resources, using Overdrive to download e-books and audio books and to access Zinio, the library’s online access point to magazines.

Note that all library branches in The Nation Municipality are likewise closed.