** UPDATE (04/10/2020) – Library will now be closed until further notice. We will update you on when the buildings will reopen and limited services that might be available after the Stay-at-Home Order is lifted. In the meantime, please enjoy all of our digital services 24/7.
Library Closure
Due to increased concerns of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) within Indiana, the library has made the difficult decision to remain closed until it can safely reopen to the public. The Library Board did not make this decision lightly, but the safety of everyone is our number one priority and we want to be cautious and minimize the risk of COVID-19 spreading within our community.
The library reopening will not happen until after the Indiana Stay-at-Home order is lifted and may be reduced to more essential services for a limited time. Please check back for more details later.
Returning Materials:
The bookdrops will remain open during the library closure. However, any library materials that are currently checked out will not accrue fines until after our buildings open again.
Items on Hold:
Any items that were on hold and cannot be picked up before our buildings close will be available when the library opens again.
WiFi:
Access to our WiFi will still be available during this time in our parking lots and other areas close to the building at both the Ossian Branch and Main Library in Bluffton. We just ask that you not group together outside our buildings and keep a safe distance of six feet from others while using our WiFi.
Need Help?
If you need assistance with your library card, digital access, or have a general reference question, please email us at wcpl@wellscolibrary.org.
More info on COVID-19
- Indiana State Department of Health – https://www.in.gov/isdh/28470.htm
- Centers for Disease Control – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- IU Health Virtual Clinic – https://iuhealth.org/news-hub/iu-health-virtual-clinic-offers-free-coronavirus-screening
IU Health has launched a virtual clinic to offer individuals in Indiana regardless of age free Coronavirus (COVID-19) screenings using the IU Health Virtual Visit app. Staffed 24/7 with IU Health physicians, advance practice providers and registered nurses, the clinic will screen patients from home, potentially eliminating the need to visit physician offices, urgent cares or emergency departments.
Event Cancellations
All library-sponsored programs and events will be cancelled until further notice. This includes all our children’s story sessions and events, teen programs, and adult events.
An exception to this is the Free Tax Help provided by the AARP Tax-Aide foundation. Get more information below.
All changes to this will be reflected on our Library Event Calendar.
Thank you for your understanding. We know this may be disappointing, but the safety of everyone is our number one priority and since we are a public building, we want to be cautious and minimize the risk of COVID-19 spreading within our community.
Meeting Rooms
All meeting room reservations have been cancelled and anyone that had a current reservation will receive a credit to use on a future room booking. There are a few groups that may be using meeting rooms to help distribute critical services during this time, including tax help (see info below).
Since our meeting rooms were set to be closed from May-October due to construction, we will unfortunately not be booking meeting room reservations until after October.
Tax Preparation Help
As of right now, all free tax help sessions have been cancelled from March 23-April 13. We have tentatively been scheduling appointments for Monday, June 8 and Monday, June 15, among those people that already had appointments. If you have questions, please contact Jason Habegger by calling 260-824-1612 and leaving a message following the prompts.
Digital Libary Card
If you do not currently have a Wells County Public Library card, but live, own property, or go to school in Wells County, we can help you! Please go to our Digital Library Card page and fill out the application. We are still processing cards while the library is closed.
Digital Library and Website
We understand that many people will be looking to digital resources right now to keep children and yourself entertained while staying in your house. We will be highlighting many of these resources in the next few weeks on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Make sure you like our pages to get updates.
- Read books, audiobooks and magazines on your computer or the Libby app
- Homeschool resources that should help with eLearning
- Discover children’s games and practice tests on our fun websites page
- Find books we recommend for teens
- And discover online research tools