On March 27, the Boulder Community Library closed its doors — but only because the Jefferson County Commissioners told it to.
Until then, head librarian Jodi Smiley had resisted the idea. She had canceled public events starting March 14; then limited to 10 the number of patrons at one time; and finally resorted to curbside service. But shutting down altogether, that didn’t come easily.
Now, Smiley and her staff work a few days a week; they trade off shifts, since no more than two people can be together in the building. They clean, answer phones, and help an occasional patron with a computer set up in the lobby.
