ImagineIF cancels public services due to virus

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, ImagineIF Libraries has canceled all public services, such as early literacy classes, teen and adult programming and events, and Wired Wednesdays in Columbia Falls. Use of the meeting room at ImagineIF Kalispell is also suspended, as well as Job Service coaching, Book-a-Techie services, and class visits. This suspension is in effect at all locations for 30 days, the library system announced Friday evening.

All public service desks, self-check stations and public computers will continue to be open until further notice. The implementation of social distancing will continue in all spaces in the library. Toys and interactives have been removed from the children’s areas to reduce surfaces that need to be cleaned.

Additionally, ImagineIF’s partner library, Westshore Community Library in Lakeside, is closed and will not be available as a pick-up location for books until further notice. Patrons of Westshore Community Library should change their pick-up to another ImagineIF Libraries location and are urged to use the outside receptacle for returning books.

“ImagineIF is working closely with the Flathead City-County Health Department and is monitoring the situation at public schools and will keep the public informed of any changes,” a library press release stated.

Other event cancellations and closures due to the pandemic are as follows:

• Flathead Citizens’ Climate Lobby scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, March 16, at Brannigan’s Pub.

• The Flathead Valley Community Band is suspending all rehearsals and postponing the spring concert, which was schedule for March 18.

• Flathead Audubon’s April 13 public meeting at the Gateway West Community Room in Kalispell.

• Flathead Valley Parkinson’s Support Group scheduled for March 18 at Gateway Community Center.

• The annual Creston Auction and Country Fair, scheduled to take place April 3 to 5 in Creston.

• Grand opening of the CHS facilities at Glacier Rail Park in Kalispell, which had been set for March 18.

• The Brewfest portion of the 2020 Dummy Derby at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The Dummy Derby is rescheduled for 4 p.m. March 28.

• Flathead Democratic Women’s screening of the PBS documentary on the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, March 22.

• Montana State Fund safety workshop in Kalispell on March 19 at the Hampton Inn.

• United States Air Force Academy Band concert March 28 at Bigfork Center for Performing Arts.

• Flathead Valley Vendors Show hosted by the Kalispell Elks Lodge Saturday, March 14, has officially been postponed until next month.

• Flathead Democratic Women’s meeting March 23 at Hilton Garden Inn.

• Visitation at Montana Department of Corrections’ (DOC) facilities has been suspended until further notice, DOC officials announced today.

• Carroll College in Helena will move forward with online/distance delivery of their curriculum beginning on March 23. The campus will remain open. Students are able to return home during the online instruction period.

• Kyiyo Native American Student Association at the University of Montana canceled the 52nd annual Kyiyo Celebration. The celebration had been scheduled for April 17-18 in Missoula.