Sacramento libraries to close at least through end of March due to coronavirus pandemic

The Sacramento Public Library Authority voted Wednesday to close the region’s 28 branch libraries for at least the next two weeks and to continue paying staff while library Director Rivkah Sass decides how best to deal with the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

The libraries have been closed since Monday and the board voted to give Sass $450,000 in emergency funding to use, if needed, as the crisis continues.

“I can’t think of anything in my lifetime that has been like this,” Sass said during an emergency meeting held by videoconference with more than 200 people watching online. “Things are changing hourly…

“I know we have a lot of staff listening and I think it’s important that they understand we are moving a little more quickly than we might want to. We’ll want time to plan.

“We have to know how to change our tires when the bus is moving.”

The board essentially gave Sass the flexibility to ensure that her 305 employees, including part-time shelvers and other workers, are paid for the next two weeks, regardless of whether they are able to do their jobs from home.

Library employees had taken to social media objecting to the idea that they might lose their paychecks or be required to use up accrued leave time during the closure. As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 1,600 people had signed a change.org petition urging that library workers receive their wages.

Sass told board members that she needs time before the next emergency meeting to determine how best to proceed and that a long-term closure could pose significant problems.

“I’m receiving emails and calls from people who want us to remain open because we represent normalcy, we represent what is good about communities ...” she said. “If this thing goes on, the library’s in real trouble.”

This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 1:49 PM with the headline "Sacramento libraries to close at least through end of March due to coronavirus pandemic."