![The Cleveland Public Library is closed until further notice, the library system announced Friday. [Gayle S. Putrich / ideastream]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/98ac8d2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/980x551+0+0/resize/840x472!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F3%2F13%2FLibrary%5B1%5D.jpg)
Updated: 8:40 a.m. Sunday, March 15, 2020
Libraries across Northeast Ohio have closed, suspended programs or are taking new precautious against the spread of coronavirus.
Cleveland Public Library will close at the end of the day Friday and halt all programming until further notice, the library announced in a news release.
The library will still provide brown bag lunches to kids on weekdays between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., and branches that are also polling places will remain open for voters on Election Day.
The Main Library, Louis Stokes Wing and neighborhood branches will be deep cleaned and sanitized during the closure, the news release said.
鈥淭his was鈥痑 difficult鈥痙ecision鈥痜or the staff at Cleveland Public Library,鈥� CEO Felton Thomas, Jr. said in the release. 鈥淲e know how much our community depends on us.鈥疻e hope our closure will鈥痥eep our employees and patrons safe and healthy鈥痑nd鈥痳educe鈥痚xposure to鈥痶his鈥痙isease.鈥�
Patrons who have checked out books or other materials should keep them for the time being, Thomas said. , such as e-books and streaming services, are still available.
The and closed Friday until further notice. The Lee Road and University Heights branches will be open for primary election voters.
the doors of its branches from March 14 until April 5. The library system will offer drive-up service and telephone reference at 11 branches during the closure. . The library will also waive late fees.
As with the Cleveland library system, county library branches will remain open as polling places March 17.
Lakewood Public Library will remain open for now, .
鈥淲e encourage any concerned patrons, especially those who are elderly or at higher risk of contracting this virus, to avoid visiting our library locations if they are feeling ill or concerned about potential exposure,鈥� the notice read.
Lakewood library maintenance staff have cleaned doorknobs, computer monitors, keyboards and mice. Disinfecting wipes will be available for patrons to clean off computers at service desks.
The Akron-Summit County Public Library will close as of Tuesday, March 17 at 8 p.m. through April 6, according to a tweet shared on the library's account.
COVID-19 UPDATE: The Akron-Summit County Public Library system will be closed from Wednesday, March 18 until at least Monday, April 6. This will be subject to change as information聽about the virus continues to develop.
— Akron-Summit County Public Library (@akronlibrary)
It has already suspended all programs, events and meeting room reservations until March 31, .
The library will still operate as a polling site for Tuesday's election.
鈥淲e continue to follow best hygiene practices for workplaces 鈥� including regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in our buildings, making hand sanitizer available to staff and customers, and encouraging frequent hand-washing,鈥� a notice on the Akron-Summit County Public Library鈥檚 website read.
Libraries are exempted from .
