Community Health and Safety - Covid-19 Response Update

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place. We encourage personal responsibility to prevent the spread. The library is cleaned regularly, but tables and equipment are not disinfected between uses. ​

Masks are appreciated and social distancing is encouraged. All programs are subject to attendance caps and we have reduced the number of people who can be in our various Meeting Rooms. Our Large Study 4-6 people, Small Study Rooms 2-3, Conference Room 6-10 and Community Room at 45, plus staff.

Basalt Library has been following Pitkin County’s COVID-19 information and recommendations. You may register to receive weekly email data summaries by emailing: pitkinnews@pitkincounty.com. For COVID-19 data related information, please visit Pitkin County COVID-19 data dashboards. Pitkin also offers a hotline at 970-429-3363.

Other County Related Data Resources:

• Pitkin County COVID-19 Case Data
• Garfield County Data/Indicators
• Eagle County Data/Indicators
• State of Colorado Data

Throughout the pandemic Basalt Library has offered a number of services including the ability for patrons to have “no contact book pickup” through our Curbside service. These books are already checked out to your library card account and are available outside the library’s main entrance during our regular business hours. This service is available to you by simply clicking on the dropdown menu during the Hold process and choosing whether you want to pick up at Curbside or inside the library from the Hold Shelf. Hold shelf books do require you to go to the self check out desk or visit our Patron desk.

Since November 2021, we have been able to participate in Vaccines for All Colorado, bringing a vaccine clinic to the Library twice a month in order for the public to receive their 1st and 2nd doses, pediatric doses for 5-12 year olds, and/or boosters of all FDA-approved vaccines. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Safety have partnered with a number of our state’s schools, libraries and other public institutions in order to meet the demand and support those who would like to receive the vaccine or booster. 

The Library is informed by our mission, and has adapted and created new programs to ensure our resources are available to all. The Basalt Regional Library District affords our community free and equitable access to information, tools and connections that nurture lifelong learning in a safe and welcoming space. Besides offering our patrons with the Curbside Pickup, we loan out Book Bundles, Wifi Hot Spots, Chromebook and Laptop lending, and have Wireless Printing. Patrons are able to select, view and borrow all sorts of different media and resources, free of charge, by using their library card from the convenience of their home. Simply go to basaltlibrary.org/online-resources.

Additionally, in July 2021 we announced our Fine Free Policy. Hereby making available to all patrons the ability to read and use our library’s resources, books and other materials without banning anyone’s ability, due to potential fines or charges if late. We simply ask that you keep to our due dates, especially for those items or books that are on hold for other patrons.

We are proud to be able to share with you that on January __, 2022, Basalt Library was awarded the Communities for Immunity grant to boost COVID-19 vaccine confidence in communities across the United States. This grant provides funds to museums, libraries, science centers, and other cultural institutions to enhance vaccine confidence where it matters most: at the local level. Building on the many ways this organization supports their communities during the pandemic, the partnership will activate museums and libraries to create and deliver evidence-driven materials and develop resources, programs, and approaches, specifically designed to help them engage diverse audiences in building trust in the COVID-19 vaccine. ​