COVID Information Portal

Details
Category: COVID-19

Health & Safety

Economic Assistance

Taxes 

  • IRS Tax Relief information for individuals, businesses and others affected by coroanavirus including changes in filing deadlines. Individuals may order free copies of IRS tax forms and Instructions online at www.IRS.gov/orderforms or by calling 800-829-3676. They can also download forms at www.irs.gov/forms-pubs. 
  • Virginia Tax information for taxpayers affected by ongoing coronavirus pandemic including income tax filing and payment extensions.

Unemployment

  • With the Coronavirus forcing the closure of many businesses, new measures are being implemented to help Virginia residents who are being laid off.  At the direction of Gov. Ralph Northam, waiting periods and the requirement to conduct two job searches a week are waived, and other eligibility criteria have been changed.  For more information or to apply for unemployement benefits visit the Virginia Employment Commission website.

Business

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) coronavirus resource page provides a list of relief programs, and it offers guidance to small business owners during this crisis. As part of its disaster assistance program, the SBA is providing low-interest working capital loans of up to $2 million to small businesses and nonprofits affected by the coronavirus.
  • The U.S. Chamber of Commerce provides resources for combatting the coronavirus including a guide for the emergency loans for small businesses.
  • Resources for Small Businesses & Employees - What small businesses and employees need to know regarding benefits, qualified sick leave wages, qualified family leave wages, unemployment insurance, etc.

Library Services During COVID

Details
Category: COVID-19

As our community continues to deal with social distancing due to the concerns of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Mathews Memorial Library is here for you. There are many ways to stay in touch or access library services remotely.‍

What You Need to Know:

  • The library reopened to the public on June 16, 2020 with revised service hours and adhering to our Provisional Services Guidelines.
  • Some adult, young adult and children's programming and group meetings are held in-person while some may be conducted virtually.
  • The John Warren Cooke Conference Room is available for group meeings of up to 15 socially distanced individuals. Accomodations for hybrid (remote and in-person) meetings can be made.
  • Any additional closing updates will be posted on the library's website (mathewslibrary.org).
  • Library staff are available via email or phone to answer questions. Please dial (804)725-5747 or email for service.
  • External book drops at the main front and lobby entrances are available to return items if you prefer not to come in.
  • We are currently waiving all fines accrued during this time.

Services Available During the Coronavirus Pandemic:

  • Wi-Fi access is available near the library building (parking on Main Street, library parking lot or library courtyard).  The network is Mathews Library Open WiFi and a password is not required. This is an unsecured wireless network so it is recommened that you avoid conducting sensitive business while connected to this network.  Please come in the library and ask for the password for our secure WiFi network at the circulation desk.
  • Curbside book pickup is available!  Please select titles using the library catalog (catalog.mathewslibrary.org) and call or email the library.
  • The popup library at the main front entrance will be stocked with popular novels during the closure.
  • Stay at Home and access library resources including e-books and other downloadables and research databases.  See our Access From Home guide to discover the many things you can do without coming to the library!
  • Preschool Story Time has been live-streamed each Wednesday at 10AM during the pandemic and recordings are available for viewing on YouTube.  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel (youtube.com/channel/UCFmSB3SgnQPQFpP3cngUgoA). Beginning August 2021, Story Time will resume in-person at the library.
  • Book Clubs may hold group discussions in-person or on the Zoom platform.
  • Find links to important Coronavirus information through our Emergency Assistance Portal.

Access the Library from Home: Here are some things you can do without coming to the library.

  • Checkout materials online!

We have thousands of popular e-books and e-audiobooks, music, magazines and much more available for immediate download to your computer, tablet, smartphone or other mobile device. Go to downloads.mathewslibrary.org to check out our digital collections. 

Internet Archive has suspended waitlists for the 1.4 million (and growing) books in their lending library by creating a free National Emergency Library to serve the nation’s displaced learners available through at least June 30, 2020. These are titles commonly held by academic and public libraries and are great for high school students and learners of all ages!

  • Do research at home!  

We have several online reference resources available for library patrons.  Go to reference.mathewslibrary.org for research tools.

  • Find your ancestors!

Explore our genealogy databases at genealogy.mathewslibrary.org.

  • Take an online class!

Choose from hundreds of free online classes at universalclass.mathewslibrary.org.

  • Learn a new language! 

Rocket Languages has online language-learning courses that are practical, powerful, and proven to work. Go to rocketlanguages.mathewslibrary.org

  • Follow us on Facebook! 

Go to facebook.com/MathewsMemorialLibrary

  • Call or email the library! We are here to help.

Library Provisional Services Guidelines

Details
Category: COVID-19

Compliance with Health Requirements

  • We strongly encourage all individuals ages 2+, regardless of vaccination status, to wear an approved face mask at all times while in the library building. If you do not have a mask, disposable masks are available at the library entrances. Individuals who cannot medically tolerate wearing a mask or face covering may call the library at 804.725.5747 before visiting so that reasonable accommodations for service can be made.
  • Social distancing is encouraged throughout the building and particularly during checkout and when interacting with staff.
  • Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged and is available at library entrances.
  • Please help us keep the library clean. Surfaces including restrooms, computer work areas, tables and circulation desks are routinely cleaned.

Library Access & Services

  • Patrons are required to sign in at the circulation desk immediately upon entering the library building.  Patron will be issued a numbered pass which must be returned to the circulation desk before exiting the building. There is a limit of 20 patrons in the building at one time.
  • Curbside service is available for patrons who prefer, by calling (804)725.5747.
  • Limited computers are available on a first-come first-served basis.  Login directly on an available computer.  The time limit for computer use is 60 minutes.  Printing is available.
  • Other services including Wi-Fi access, copying, FAX, e-book access and reference lookup will be performed with minimal staff interaction.
  • Meeting rooms are available for individual use (i.e. online meetings, conference calls).  Group meetings are not possible at this time.  Alternatively, Zoom meetings during available time slots for groups of 2 or more will be set up upon request.

UPDATED JANUARY 10, 2022