Library re-opens, some restrictions in place

Havre-Hill County Library re-opened its doors last Wednesday with some restrictions.

The library will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Havre-Hill County Library Director Rachel Rawn said the library is only allowing 10 patrons in at a time with a 30-minute time limit.

The first hour they are open every day will be reserved for people who are especially vulnerable, she said, such as the elderly and people with any underlying conditions. 

She said they are continuing to offer curbside pickup for anyone who would prefer not to come into the building. 

People can request curbside pickup by calling the library at 265-2123, emailing at [email protected], or contacting them through Facebook or Instagram. 

Patrons must enter through the west-facing door because the east-facing door is being used for curbside pick up only, she added.

  Rawn said free audiobooks and eBooks can be accessed at https://montana.overdrive.com, or from the Montana Library 2 Go link on the library’s website https://havrehilllibrary.org .

The public restrooms, drinking fountain, stacks and about half the computers are closed, she said.

“Masks are required, but we have some that people can use and return to us when they leave, then I’ll take them home and wash them,” she added.

Rawn said people are required to wash their hands when they come in.

The library is also starting it’s Summer Reading Program this Wednesday and this year’s theme is “Imagine Your Story.”

“So this summer we are all about ‘Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends,’” a notice said.

A signup sheet is available in the Havre Daily News that may be cut out, and returned to the library via mail or the book drop.

A virtual sign up sheet is also available on the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/havrehilllibrary .

The notice said minutes are due by Wednesday July 29 at 6 p.m., adding that for every 100 minutes read, participants will receive a raffle ticket for entry into raffles that will be drawn Thursday, July 30.

Some of the prizes include: Dragons Love Tacos plushies,  Hansel and Gretel storytelling playset, Melissa and Doug Palace Pals Puppets, Melissa and Doug colorful block set and more.

“Everyone who completes their goal will receive a certificate of completion and a loot bag,” the notice said.

The reading goals in the program are:

Ages 0-3 read 300 minutes

Ages 4-6 read 400 minutes

Ages 7-9 read 600 minutes

Ages 10-12 read 800 minutes

Ages 13-17 read 1,000 minutes

The notice said the top three readers in each age category will be crowned Reading Royalty, receive a sports bag and a book credit from the Havre Book Exchange.