Princeton Public Library Closes After Staff Tests COVID Positive

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton Public Library on Monday closed its building after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19, executive director Jennifer Podolsky announced.

The library will be closed until Jan. 31.

“When we received notification that an employee tested positive, we followed protocols approved by our Board of Trustees in consultation with the municipal Health Department and closed the building to facilitate staff isolation, contact tracing and deep cleaning,” Podolsky said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with our colleague and their loved ones at this uncertain time.”

Since reopening the Sands Library building last summer, the library has been offering in-person services six days a week, with reduced hours.

Book drops will be sealed and contactless hold pickup will be suspended beginning Monday through Jan. 31.

Due dates of materials already in circulation, and those placed on hold and awaiting pickup at the library, will be extended two weeks. Extended-use fees will be be waived during this closure.

However, all virtual services will continue through the closure, including access to the digital collection and databases, the virtual information desk and virtual programming.

“We were pleased to have offered in-person service these past five months and had planned well for the unfortunate situation we’re now facing. We will open again as soon as it is safe to do so,” Podolsky said.

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