Butte County library staff have been taking things “day by day” after the deadly shooting that killed two people at the Chico branch last month.
“We're all one big family in the library,” said Misty Wright, director of libraries. “It’s been difficult for everyone.”
Wright said as recovery continues, plans are moving ahead for temporary library services and a major renovation.
Here’s what to know.
When does the temporary branch open?
The Chico library remains closed since the attack. A temporary satellite branch is expected to open sometime in August at 196 Memorial Way, just off The Esplanade.
The location will offer limited services and book browsing, computer access and children’s programming like Storytime, Wright said.
“It's going to be a lot of the same stuff, just a smaller version of it,” Wright said. “And any of our online services are always available.”
The site will operate for about a year while the main Chico library undergoes a major renovation.
What if you have library books checked out?
Some Chico library patrons have received overdue notices for books checked out before the shooting.
Wright said the library has extended all due dates on books into early September. Late notices can be ignored for now, she said.
“If they have texts or emails that say their books are late or they have a fine, disregard those for right now, and we'll deal with all of that once we're back open,” Wright said.
For now, books can be returned to any open Butte County library branch mobile library, or the new satellite branch once it opens.
What’s planned with the renovation?
Wright said the county planned to renovate the Chico and Oroville branches since it secured state funding a few years ago. She said the Chico library will receive a major makeover, from fresh paint and new carpeting to updated spaces.
“We're getting a refurbished children's area, makerspace, study rooms, a new teen area, and then a smaller community room,” she said, “and that's all inside the main part of the library.”
The Oroville library will undergo much of the same and will also have its own temporary location set up in the meantime, she said.
