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Beginning of COVID-19

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It’s a quieter streetscape (in Shelburne Falls) than usual. It’s sunny and brisk, and we’ve all entered into a time that will change us forever. We’ve entered into COVID-19 time. There will always now be a before and after. That kind of beginning is the result of years of reading classic science fiction. But it’s true.

It is no surprise that the Arms Library is closing for a few weeks as we locally and globally contend with the coronavirus COVID-19. I think we’re in the best place. It’s a strong community, where we keep an eye on each other and work from a grassroots level to make things as right as they can be in a given circumstance.

I’ve already said this, but we are in a good, kind place. Our Town officials are working right now to make our community as safe and informed as possible. According to Joe Judd at Shelburne Town Hall, the Town offices will be closed to the public, but staff and officials will be working there. Their number is 413-625-0300.

Shelburne’s Emergency Management Director, Chris Myers, is coordinating with a brand new, dedicated volunteer community support group for Shelburne Falls. They have met several times and are in regular contact. There will be more heard from the Selectboard and the Volunteer Community Support group early this week. Among their tasks, the volunteer group is creating fliers and a Facebook page. Check back here for information on this group’s activities. If interested in helping with that group send an email saying so to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I will pass your information on to the correct person.

There is much going on, and as I hear from Chris Myers, Town officials and other library organizations I will be posting information here on FB, our website, our answering machine. Part of my way of helping in all of this is to offer the library as a place to gain information. We are using the front door as a bulletin board for information as we learn of updates.

It’s easy to fall prey to rumours right now. Verify information before passing it on as truth. Right now I’m using MassLive.com, the Shelburne Falls independent FB page, and the Recorder for area news on the virus. Within Shelburne Falls I’m following Chris Myers’ leadership as Emergency Management Director, until such time as we hear from the Selectboard. There is also a link on the Town of Shelburne’s website https://townofshelburne.com/.

This might also be a good time to get back onto the Reverse 911 call system, as COVID-19 related messages will be coming to our homes that way.

As a last note, the U.S. Census is still going on; please fill out your U.S. Census online, or by calling the number they provided in their March 2020 mailing to your home. If you need help, the library is a Census Questionnaire Assistance Center; we will do our best in the given circumstances, to help you. Sharin and I will still be working in the library.

The Arms will be closed through March 30^th. I am working to figure out possible ways to get materials to people on a limited basis. At this point all interlibrary loan service has been terminated for the duration of the pandemic.

I’ll be in touch again soon, with more concrete information as I learn it.

Stay healthy, and be kind to one another.

Laurie