A Message from the Director

Fern Ridge, along with all of Oregon, is approaching a full month of social distancing in a time of great uncertainty.  Information about COVID-19 and the effect it has had on people, the economy, and our future changes almost hourly.  Here at the library, we want to assure you that our first priority is your health and safety.  As such, we closed the doors to the library on March 14th.  We do not currently know when we will be able to reopen, but continue to monitor the recommendations of health experts and officials at the county, state, and national level.
 
Though our building may be closed, we have many fantastic resources that can be accessed 24/7, including e-books and audiobooks from Overdrive via the Oregon Digital Library Consortium.   For those without high speed internet access at home, our WIFI is available and accessible from both parking lots and from most of the grounds (the password for access is the first 8 digits of your library card.)  Staff members are available to assist patrons via telephone or e-mail from 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday.
 
We are currently offering curbside pick-up for books and other physical media.  All material returned back to the library is being disinfected and then put in our QuaranTEEN area (yes, they are on carts in the Teen area) for a minimum of 72 hours before being shelved or recirculated.  Holds can be placed online using your library account, or over the phone with staff.
 
Miss Caitlin is streaming a story time each Friday, and both she and Miss Laura are working to create virtual programming for patrons of all ages.  Check out our website and our social media accounts for updates and information on how to participate.
 
Most importantly, we are doing our best to help everyone stay engaged, educated, and entertained as we all work together to Stay Home and Stay Healthy.  If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call.  We’re happy to get you a card over the phone, to make sure your account is clear and updated, and to help you connect to our resources.  

Thank you and stay safe!
Colin
Myth-Busting Coronavirus from the World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

For more information on the Coronavirus Disease, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 en Español
https://multco.us/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-en-español


​Thank you to the companies that have generously provided additional digital access to our patrons during the COVID-19 outbreak! Please feel free to utilize these resources and contact the library if you have any questions!

TumbleBook e-book library
K-6 children's ebook database
Username: tumble735
Password: books

TumbleMath e-book library 
K-6 math ebook database
Username: tumble2020
Password: A3b5c6

Teen BookCloud e-book library 
Grade 7-12 ebook database
Username: tumble2020
Password: A3b5c6

AudioBookCloud
All ages audio book database​
Username: tumble2020
Password: A3b5c6

RomanceBookCloud​
A huge collection of Romance novels 
Username: tumble2020
Password: A3b5c6​

Storyline Online
Digital story telling from actors and other famous folks

For families looking for additional community resources, please check out these websites.

Support for Students (located in Eugene)

Free Lunches in Fern Ridge School district 

Oregon Health Authority: COVID-19 Information
Available in multiple languages
Información disponible en varios idiomas

COVID-19 Related Business Layoffs, Closures, and Unemployment Insurance Benefits
​Información disponible en español

​Thank you to Gale online resources for opening up these additional resources during the pandemic.  If you are prompted for a password, use the word open.
Coronavirus Pandemic Response Plan

Fern Ridge Library is currently at Level 3 based on the closure of the Fern Ridge School District and recommendations on social distancing from Lane County and the Oregon Health Authority.

The library will continue to operate as usual until the Director determines we have reached Level 1, 2, or 3 as defined below. At such time, the Director, in consultation with the board chair, will determine if hours or services should be limited or the library closed.
All decisions using guidance from Lane County public health department, The Oregon Health Authority, the Center for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization. 
 
Listed below are the library’s levels of pandemic response, with examples for how each level will be managed. The examples given are not exhaustive and other criteria than what is listed may be used to determine the appropriate response level.
 
Level 1: At least one incident of COVID-19 is reported within our Library Service District or surrounding area
  • Library hours will remain the same
  • Accrued late fines will be forgiven until the pandemic is declared to be over.
  • Library programs and outreach events will be cancelled as needed at the discretion of the Director in consultation with the program sponsors or staff
  • Staff should avoid close contact with patrons and co-workers. Attempt to maintain a distance of 6 feet and wash your hands after contact is made
  • Staff should avoid sharing phones, keyboards, or other work equipment without disinfecting between uses and/or washing hands after use
 
Level 2: Multiple incidents of COVID-19 are reported in Lane County and/or the local or state health department advises limiting public gatherings
  • Library hours for the public will be limited to Monday – Saturday 10am-3pm
  • Accrued late fines will be forgiven until the pandemic is declared to be over.
  • All library programs and outreach events will be cancelled or rescheduled
  • Patrons with room reservations outside of new limited hours will be notified their reservations have been cancelled, and staff will work with them to reschedule
  • All meeting room reservations will be cancelled
  • Staff hours may be reduced, but all employees will be required to report to work when assigned. If not assigned to work, they will be paid for their normal weekly hours with regular pay (not sick, vacation, or personal leave)
 
Level 3: Many incidents of COVID-19 are reported in Lane County, the local or state health department recommends no public gatherings, or Fern Ridge School District closes (or otherwise limits student access)
  • The Library will be closed to the public
  • All meeting room reservations will be cancelled
  • Material due dates will be extended and accrued late fines will be forgiven upon return for two weeks from the date of re-opening.
  • At least 2 library employees will be scheduled to be at the library Monday – Saturday 10am-3pm in order to assist patrons via phone or email and to work on library projects
  • All staff will be required to work some shifts each week but will be paid for their normal weekly hours with regular pay (not sick, vacation, or personal leave)
  • Normal hours will resume after public health officials have declared the health crisis to be over

In accordance with our Pandemic Response Plan, the Fern Ridge Library will have reduced hours.
CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
​
88026 Territorial Rd.
Veneta, OR 97487
p: 541.935.7512
fax: 541.935.8013​