Du Quoin Public Library closed til Sept. 16

<i>This story has been updated from Friday's print version.</i>

The Du Quoin library is closed to the public and will remain closed until Sept. 16, due to one of the staff members being exposed to a case of coronavirus, officials have announced.

The library announced the closure over Facebook, saying that "Due to COVID-19 exposure the staff and stacks are in quarantine."

Library Director Kristina Benson said Friday that one member of the staff was in the proximity of someone who later tested positive for the coronavirus. That staffer immediately quarantined herself.

At this time, none of the library staff has tested positive for the virus, Benson said.

However, Benson herself has been sidelined by two scheduled cataract surgeries, for which she was going to have to be quarantined for two weeks.

Having two staff members absent at one time was going to be more than the library could handle, she said.

"With our small staff sidelined, closing for 10 days was the only logical option," she said via text.

The library and City Hall and the Du Quoin Police Department all share the same building on Washington Street, but the closure is limited to the library, City Clerk Ruth Hale said Thursday.

"We appreciate your understanding and are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause to our citizens," Mayor Guy Alongi posted on his Facebook page.

"It is important we err on the side of caution during these difficult times."

The library will reopen on Sept. 16.