TENTATIVE PHYSICAL REOPENING PLANS

The Colusa County Free Library has reopened all seven physical locations with modified hours and services.

Since mid-March, the Colusa County Free Library has been working diligently to provide continued services to the community despite the physical closure of our libraries as a result of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. We have been thankful for your support and understanding as we have navigated unchartered territory, learned new skills, offered new digital lending platforms, and implemented digital programming for the first time. Simultaneously, we have been planning for both when the library would open its doors, and how to open safely. The well being of our community has been the top consideration in every decision we have made.

We are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of our staff and patrons through the following actions:

• Social distancing guidelines will be enforced.
• Limiting capacity, including staff, in the libraries at any time. These numbers will be dependent on the branch you are visiting and posted clearly on the entry.
• Requesting that all patrons wash their hands as they enter the buildings.
• Requesting that all patrons wear face coverings.
• Both hand sanitizer and free face coverings will be available at the circulation desks.
• Patrons needing staff assistance are asked to wait in socially distanced lines at the circulation desk instead of approaching staff work spaces. This includes help with library accounts, finding items, checking in or out materials and questions about library services.
• Materials will be slow to be checked in; all items returned have been and will continue to be quarantined for 3+ days before being checked in. No fines are being issued on materials being checked in from quarantine.
• Staff cannot provide one-on-one tech help at this time.
• Computer access and work station space is limited at this time. Fewer computers are available, and time constraints will be enforced as needed. Fewer chairs will be available at the work tables.
• Passive programming such as puzzles, crosswords, and toys will be unavailable.
• All in-house programs remain cancelled for the summer.
• Meeting rooms are unavailable until further notice.

We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as we can. Our mission is to connect our patrons to materials, information, and services that promote learning and enjoyment for all ages. We are still your Connection Point to the information you need, including books, movies, music, and much more, even at a six foot distance.

We anticipate many changes to our policies and procedures in the upcoming days, weeks, and months. Directives are changing daily, and we are doing our best to provide the best service possible to all of Colusa County.

Branch hours between June 15-July 31 are as follows:

Main branch Colusa

• Monday 9:00-2:00
• Tuesday 10:00-8:00
• Wednesday 10:00-5:00
• Thursday 10:00-8:00
• Friday 10:00-5:00
• Saturday 10:00-2:00

Arbuckle

• Monday 11:00-6:00
• Tuesday 10:00-3:00
• Wednesday 11:00-6:00

Grimes

• Monday 11:00-2:00
• Tuesday 2:00-7:00
• Wednesday 11:00-2:00

Maxwell

• Monday 11:00-2:00
• Tuesday 1:30-6:00
• Wednesday 11:00-2:00
• Thursday 1:30-6:00

Princeton

• Monday 8:30-1:00
• Tuesday 8:30-1:00
• Wednesday 8:30-1:00

Stonyford

• Friday 10:30-2:30

Williams

• Tuesday noon-6:00
• Wednesday 1:00-6:00
• Thursday noon-6:00

If there are any questions regarding library services at this time, please contact us at 458-7671.

We encourage continue you to use our digital library resources, which will continue to be available at any time to all library patrons. On our eLibrary you will find links to several databases that offer eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, journals and access to the New York Times newspaper. 

For questions related to the County’s response to Covid-19, please visit: 

Colusa County Department of Public Health 
California Department of Public Health
State of California Guidelines

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

Census 2020 @ Your Local Library

The 2020 Census is happening now.  You can respond online, by phone, or by mail.  All seven of the Colusa County Free Library Branches have a Census Kiosk that is free to use, and takes only 5-10 minutes to complete.  You can also click here to complete the Census online through your phone, tablet, or computer.  Your response matters!  Health clinics.  Fire departments.  Schools.  Even roads and highways.  The census can shape many different aspects of your community.  Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year.  The results determine how many seats in Congress each state gets.  It’s mandated by the U.S. Constitution in Article 1, Section 2:  The U.S. has counted its population every 10 years since 1790.

Census Timeline
March 12-20: Homes will receive official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond.
April 1: When you respond to the census, you’ll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020.

New York Times

The California State Library is pleased to offer the New York Times online to California public libraries! This offer features direct access to nytimes.com from 1851 to right now, including:

• All regular newspaper content (articles, editorials, etc.)
• All multimedia, including video, photography, VR features and all new multimedia to come
• Spanish and Mandarin Chinese versions of nytimes.com
• Personalized access, including e-mail newsletters such as California Today, mobile apps* for phones and tablets, with customizable news feeds, and article recommendations based on topics you most commonly read about.

The State Library is supporting this resource for California public libraries for at least the next 18 months. You can sign up using the link above and a current email address. Registration is required, but is very simple. Enjoy!

Career Online High School

Colusa County Free Library’s Career Online High School (COHS) offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and career certificate online.

The Library’s pilot program provides a limited number of free enrollments to qualified adult learners who are looking to advance their careers, prepare for workforce entry or continue their education. Career Online High School through the Colusa County Free Library is open to all eligible County residents.

Applicants who successfully complete an online self-assessment and prerequisite course, followed by an in-person interview, will be considered for enrollment.

Once enrolled, COHS pairs each student with an online academic coach, who provides the student with an individual career path, offers ongoing guidance, evaluates performance and connects the student with the resources needed to master the courses. Students will be given up to 18 months to complete the program.

If you are interested in the program, please contact County Librarian, Stacey Zwald Costello at 530/458-0372.

Branch Contact Information & Hours of Operation