On Friday March 13, 2020 the Schreiber Public Library and other municipal facilities was officially closed indefinitely due to the COVID 19 outbreak. This action threatened the operations of the Schreiber Media Centre as well, as the media centre operates out of the library. Thankfully SMC was able to continue with production, although in a limited capacity, by moving operations into a spare room in LJI Journalist Kim Krause’s home. As COVID spread out across much of the country there was no clear indication of when the library would reopen.

Over the next few months, as infection rates levelled off, the Ontario government put in place measures to allow reopening of certain businesses and facilities with strict guidelines. These guidelines included limiting the number of people entering a building at any given time, ensuring masks were worn for protection of customers and staff, and making sure that businesses implemented further safety measures such as physical barriers. Any physical modifications would have to be designed and installed before the library could reopen. Priorities had to be established as to what municipal facilities would be opened first. Just getting a barrier erected in a small town where there are limited tradesman was in itself a major obstacle. Once everything was put in place the library was officially allowed to open. 
Kim Krause spoke with Linda Williamson, the assistant librarian at the Schreiber Public Library.

Linda explained how the new set of guidelines would be implemented and what changes people could expect when visiting the library. Occupancy would be limited to 3 people at a time with reduced operating hours. Washrooms are no longer available to the public and all books would be sanitized and wiped down before leaving the library and held for up to 72 hours on return before being cleaned. Computer use is now restricted to one user per session and will be booked in advance. Interlibrary loans service can be ordered online as well as faxing and printing. No donations are currently being accepted and some programs have been modified to comply with the new restrictions. The Schreiber Public Library is dedicated to protecting patrons health and looks forward to providing their usual excellent service to the citizens of Schreiber.