The Coeur d’Alene Public Library Board voted Wednesday to approve a proposal package to re-open the Coeur d’Alene Public Library’s front doors on March 15.

The library will allow visitors for browsing, check-out, computer use, printing, copying and faxing. In addition, Second Story Books in the lobby will once again open. Once the library opens for business, library hours will be Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“The sustained decrease in COVID-19 case numbers puts us in a position to open the doors to visitors,” said library director Michael Priest. “We know that the community has greatly missed the opportunity to experience everything their library has to offer, as we have really missed seeing our patrons in the building.”

Library staff is expecting capacity to be limited due to Gov. Brad Little’s Stage 3 orders on gatherings. As a result, the library is encouraging visitors to browse and check out items for up to 30 minutes at a time. Computer access will be set to one-hour time blocks.

Once the doors open again, patrons and staff alike are required to wear face masks that properly cover both the nose and mouth. Visitors will also be required to practice social distancing while in the building.

“I’m very excited the library is opening,” said Coeur d’Alene City Councilwoman Kiki Miller, who serves as a liaison on the board. “I’m very proud of the staff and their ability to keep the programs that kept the patrons involved while COVID was on the rise.”

Curbside delivery, which had been in place since the library closed its doors in October, is still an option and will remain available beyond March 15 for those that prefer to use it. In a release, the library team said it’s encouraging patrons with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a face mask, as well as those who do not wish to wear one, will be directed to curbside service, Chromebook borrowing, and digital access through the library’s website.

Children’s, teen and adult programs will continue to be conducted virtually during live and recorded sessions. The library staff will update its website — cdalibrary.org — as events get added. Select events, such as the Seed and Seedling Swap on Saturday, March 27, will be held outdoors.

The downstairs space, which includes the children’s library and public meeting rooms, will remain closed for the time being. A temporary children’s area will be set up in a central location upstairs, as well. Miller said she’s optimistic the library is ready to handle the challenges of the pandemic that until recently closed every library in North Idaho, Coeur d’Alene’s included.

“I think the library is ready,” she said. “They have their next phase of opening ready, the protocols ready. We’re just moving forward with a positive attitude.”

Priest stressed that protecting the patrons and staff of the library remains everyone’s top priority.

“The need to remain vigilant means that we had to adopt a plan that balances access to the library with being responsible partners in community health,” he said. “We will continue to monitor the situation and add more services as circumstances allow.”