Coronavirus Greenwich: Libraries Closed Until Further Notice

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich Library announced Thursday the West Putnam Avenue library, along with its Byram Shubert and Cos Cob branches, will be closed to the public until further notice. The announcement was made on the same day Greenwich Hospital revealed a New York resident who received treatment in the hospital's emergency department this week has tested positive for the new Coronavirus.

As of Thursday afternoon, five Connecticut residents and two hospital employees have tested positive for the virus, also referred to as the COVID-19 virus, however no Greenwich residents have tested positive for the virus. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

In a statement, the library said the decision was made "in the interest of public health," and in light of the closure of Greenwich public schools, which was announced Wednesday. The library's Board of Trustees consulted on the decision.

The library was scheduled to close at noon on Thursday and will remain closed "until further notice," library officials said.

"We understand how critical Library service is to the Greenwich community, and made this difficult decision only after careful consideration and the trustees' determination that it was in the best interest of the community to take this action at this time," officials said in a statement. "Yesterday, our facilities manager was informed that we will not be able to purchase new cleaning and sanitizing supplies. Based on this latest development, and the limited nature of our existing supplies, it would be impossible to keep the library clean and sanitized for our 1,700 daily visitors."

All library programs, use of meeting facilities by outside groups and in-person meetings are also cancelled until further notice. Due dates for all materials are "extended indefinitely," and library cards scheduled to expire in March or April have been extended until April 30.

Patrons are asked not to return books or other materials to the libraries' book drops.

Those looking to access books and other resources from the library can utilize a digital library, which includes thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, music, movies and more that patrons can access from home.

"Earlier this year, we expanded access to more than 3,500 magazines and 3,000 newspapers in RBDigital," library officials said. "We will continue to add to these collections."

Patrons can also ask reference questions via the ask a librarian service on the library website.

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

On Sunday, a Wilton resident tested positive for the virus. The second Connecticut resident to test positive is a Bethlehem woman who is a heath care worker at Bridgeport Hospital, officials said.

On Wednesday, state officials announced that an elderly man from New Canaan tested positive for the virus. They also issued a stern warning that the number of cases is expected to significantly increase over the next week.

On Thursday, city officials announced a Stamford resident who recently returned from international travel had tested positive for the virus and was preemptively isolated at Stamford Hospital.

That same day, a person in Stratford became the fifth Connecticut resident to be diagnosed with the virus. The news came after officials announced earlier in the week that a Wilcoxson Elementary School student had been exposed to the virus and become ill.

The two hospital employees are both New York residents and work at Danbury, Norwalk and Bridgeport hospitals.

Further information and updates regarding the library can be found at the Greenwich Library website.