Decorah Public Library to remain closed to the public for now

The Decorah Public Library Board of Trustees has agreed that now is not the time to open the building to the public.

Library Director Kristin Torresdal told the board Monday, "I am not in a hurry to get back to business as usual."  Torresdal said the library has 18,000 square feet of space, which would make it a difficult area to keep clean.  She also said she wouldn't want to jeopardize the health of her staff by opening too soon.

"Just because we could (reopen), doesn't make it right," she told the board.  She said she'd like to reopen the library gradually when that time comes, so the steps taken would not have to be reversed.  Torresdal said she favors a phased reopening of the library.

The library board approved the first three stages in Torresdal's proposed phased reopening of the library.  One step in that phased reopening would be to start curbside pickup on June 1st.