WC residents can pick a free mask curbside from any library branch location. Library staffer Catalina Flores recently picked up the masks from Council on Aging who assisted in the distribution.

Free Facemasks for the Public as the Library Prepares for Reopening

Free face masks available

Area residents can obtain a free, reusable facemask curbside from any branch of Whitman County Library, provided by Washington State Emergency Management. Masks are adult sized and intended for lower income residents or those who’ve struggled to locate them. Contact us to pickup cloth masks for you and your adult family members.

Besides this donation of masks, the library has received a number of grants and donations to better assist the community and also, in preparation for when the library is allowed to reopen. Opening is still pending the release of Safe Start Guidelines.

Grants & donations respond to COVID-19 & prepare for reopening

The Innovia Foundation gave $10,000 for the library and its partner agencies to address the most pressing needs that arise in the community as a result of the pandemic. The Library, Council on Aging, Whitman Hospital, Palouse River Counseling, and others are working to develop programs and support.

The Innovia Foundation also funded $3400 in PPE to assist the library in fully protecting the community and staff from the virus. Additional sanitation equipment was awarded through Cares Act funding made available through the Institute of Museums and Libraries as administered by the Washington State Library.

Judy Gary Libey and his wife, Trudy, funded the purchase of 13 video monitors allowing library staff countywide to hold meetings and trainings via Zoom. Once libraries are allowed to reopen, these monitors will be available for public use.

Kanopy Movie Streaming is available for FREE, thanks to the support of an anonymous donor. Enjoy thousands of thoughtful films and documentaries along with Kanopy Kids to challenge young minds, click here to start streaming

United Way of Whitman County granted $400 toward COVID related needs while Palouse/Inland NW Open Source donated 100 masks. A number of local citizens have also provided hand sewn masks and individual donations are helping to offset the cost of mailing books directly to people’s homes

Schweitzer Engineering funded STEM packets for youth countywide and the McGregor Company donated of face shields for all staff

Whitman County Library continues to serve the public through online, curbside, phone and mailing services.