NY Public Library To Close All Branches As Coronavirus Measure

NEW YORK, NY — The New York Public Library will shut down its entire system through the end of March as a measure to prevent the further spread of cornavirus throughout New York City, library officials announced Friday.

Public access to NYPL branches will end on Saturday, March 14 and continue until at least Tuesday, March 31, library officials announced. During the closure, the library system will continue to offer services such as e-book rentals, access to research databases and other digital services.

The decision to close was tough for library officials, NYPL President Tony Marx said in a statement. In past emergencies such as storms and other periods of mass uncertainty the library has stayed open to served the public, but officials determined that the best way to serve the public now is to help stem the spread of the potentially-deadly virus.

"We made this decision to support the overall health and wellness of our communities and for the safety of our patrons and staff. It was a difficult decision, as we care deeply about serving the public, but the responsible thing to do—and the best way to serve our patrons right now—is to help minimize the spread of COVID-19," Marx said in a statement.

People worried about missing due dates to return books or who need to renew their library membership shouldn't rush the system on Friday, library officials said. Due dates set to expire during the library's closure have been automatically renewed until April 15 and memberships set to expire have been extended until June.

The New York Public Library system includes all library branches in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. Queens and Brooklyn maintain their own library systems because the systems were founded before the five boroughs were consolidated into a single city in 1898.

Library members can sign up to the NYPL Connect system to receive updates on the library's digital services offered while branches are closed.

The number of confirmed coronavirs cases in New York City remains at 95, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Fox 5's "Good Day New York." The count was the same as when the mayor announced a state of emergency in New York City Thursday afternoon.