Library back to normal

The Columbia Falls Public library recently lifted its mask mandate and will allow patrons to stay longer than a half hour, librarian Tony Edmundson told the Columbia Falls city council last week.

About 78% of the staff in the county library system had been vaccinated by choice, Flathead County Library Director Connie Behe said in a memo on April 30.

As such, masks are still “recommended and appreciated” but not required, Edmundson noted.

Edmundson said with the library back to regular hours, “It feels like it’s back to normal.” He noted that some people just need additional time in the library to study and use the library’s resources.

Youth and other summer programs will start up soon. Countywide, as of Monday about 26,000 people had been vaccinated fully, with an additional 32,806 having received their first dose.

That puts the county at about 70% of the eligible population that’s at least partially vaccinated.

The city-county health department recently announced it was would partner with Kalispell Regional Health care to bring mobile vaccine clinics to larger employers and organizations.