The Bemidji Public Library has reached the next stage of its COVID-19 reopening procedures, meaning that it will be open at their normal hours of 9 AM to 7 PM Monday through Thursday and 9 AM to 5 PM Friday and Saturday as of today.

The library stacks are now also fully open for patrons to browse. The library will also be offering computer use, printing, and faxing to the community.

There are still some restrictions in place per the state guidelines. The library will only allow 20 patrons in the library at any one time, and only a limited amount of computers will be offered, which will be available for each patron once a day with a limit of 45 minutes per use. Seating will also not be available, and staff asks that patrons limit library visits to 15 minutes.

The meeting room is not open at present. Masks are required to enter.

In the time of having limited hours, the Bemidji Public Library has cleaned and sanitized the facility, done some remodeling work, and had a new mural installed by renowned artist Wesley May in the children’s section.

By — Betsy Melin