Update: June 4th, 2020

The Ramsey Free Public Library continues to have our physical location closed to the public and staff largely limited to working from home. These restrictions are by order of the Governor of New Jersey. It has been announced that libraries will reopen sometime in Phase 2 of reopenings, with significant restrictions, social distancing and emphasizing work from home. While it was announced that the next part of Phase 2 will begin on June 15th, libraries were not mentioned in these openings, therefore we are still waiting for clarification from the Governor’s office.

Until that time that the library can reopen in some capacity, staff are busy creating and running virtual events, creating online content and resources, and adding to our virtual collections. We are also working toward offering Curbside Pickup for physical items, quarantine procedures for physical items, and new safety protocols that protect patrons and staff. As soon as we know when the library may reopen with these new services, we will make announcements on our website, social media, Constant Contact email list, and various public announcements around Ramsey and on Ramsey online communities.

The Ramsey Free Public Library will be Closing as of Saturday, March 14th and will remain closed until at least the end of March.

The current public health situation involving the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is one that is changing by the hour. The Ramsey Free Public Library has been working with local officials and monitoring announcements from State, Federal, County and Local governments as well as health authorities like the NJ Department of Health and CDC. We know that through our health officials that gathering together in groups can help perpetuate the spread of the virus. The library will be following the example set by our local school system and encouraged at the state and county level of government, and will take preventative steps in order to mitigate the fast spread of the Coronavirus in our broader community.

In response to this growing situation and out of an abundance of caution, the Ramsey Free Public Library will be closing, beginning on Saturday, March 14th and lasting at least through March 31st.

In this period of uncertainty and ever-changing developments, we urge you to visit our website for updates. Moving forward we will continue to monitor the situation carefully, evaluate the severity of risk to the community, and proceed with reopening as deemed appropriate. We have created a page providing the announcement as well as links to information from the CDC, NJ Department of Health and others relating to COVID-19. We will be providing updates as to the status of the library regularly - check our website and social media for the most recent updates.

What does this mean for you?

Due Dates for Your Items Will Be Changed - We will automatically move the due dates for your items to Monday March 30th. Please DO NOT leave items in the book drops. We encourage you to keep items at home and return them when we reopen.

All Inter Library Loan and Hold functions will be suspended during the Closure. This means you cannot place holds to be picked at the Ramsey Free Public Library or any other BCCLS library. You can still access library materials through our website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our digital collections are always available. Access music, comics, videos, magazines, ebooks & audio books online, anytime, anywhere! You will continue to have access to databases and online learning tools.

We plan to give regular updates on our various outlets to give more information on using our digital resources, which are all FREE with your Ramsey Free Public card and can be utilized 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. See our DOWNLOADABLES page for details and access to all of the free movies, TV, music, audiobooks, comics and more you can find there: DOWNLOADABLES.

Finally, the library may seek to provide online and live forms of entertainment and enrichment if possible This may include live, streaming storytimes and other events. We will announce these as we are able to. During this closure, some staff may be present in the library to answer phone calls and assist with our online tools and research. Currently, this limited service is planned for 9am-5pm via phone or email. It is recommended that email is the best way to contact the library during this period: ramscirc@bccls.org or latham@ramsey.bccls.org.

Thank you for your understanding and patience during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Matt Latham, Director, Ramsey Free Public

Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Sharing accurate information from trusted sources is critical to reduce misinformation. Find reliable and current information about the outbreak from local, state, and national agencies below.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Information on Coronavirus

NJ Department of Health Communicable Disease Service

Bergen County Coronavirus Information

World Health Organization Coronavirus Information

NJ Coronavirus 24-Hour Public Hotline 1-800-222-1222 (provided through NJ Poison Information and Education System [NJPIES])