The Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Board of Trustees has extended the mask mandate at its facilities for another 21 days.
The new mandate will continue through Oct. 21.
“While COVID cases seem to be declining, the percent of the population not vaccinated does not justify a non-mask policy,” said Library Director Sue Szostak.
“In line with CDC guidelines, I, in my capacity as director, recommended to the Board of Trustees that the library continue the mask mandate for patrons and staff,” Szostak said.
The board, with six members present, voted unanimously to accept the recommendation.
The mandate also includes the suspension of programming for children age 12 and under.
The mandates are designed to “protect the children and to protect the patrons as a whole,” Szostak has said previously.
Szostak also announced the library is making improvements to its curbside service.
“This service has been a boon for parents with young children, those with mobility issues and gives confidence to people vulnerable to COVID-19,” Szostak said.
Patrons now will be able to request pre-selected book bundles through the curbside service.
When they arrive, the can call 573-686-8639 and request a ready-made bundle of three similar books, including mysteries, romans and westerns.
The library also will institute email-based book recommendations the fall. Users can go online to poplar bluff.org/whattoread and fill out a questionnaire about their reading preferences. Then, they will begin receiving email recommendations.