Linda Sickles meeting rooms now open

By Jim Newell
Managing Editor
jnewell@mihomepaper.com
ORION TWP. — Good news for library patrons – the Orion Township Public Library main branch has reopened some of its services after a small electrical fire on May 4 forced the library to suspend all services.
Patrons can now pick up materials in the lobby, and the Linda Sickles meeting rooms are available for limited service, meaning the activities and classes the library had scheduled could run as planned. All current programs can be found on the library calendar, oriontownship.librarycalendar.com.
“In addition to the lobby, our Linda Sickles meeting rooms will be open for programming and reservations. Please call the library to reserve our meeting room. We are happy to provide programming to the community during this time. Please note, Study Rooms will be unavailable during this time,” library administration said in an update to patrons.
Portions of the library still remain closed for cleaning of smoke and extinguisher residue, so patrons will not be able to browse the collections. Instead, they will have to reserve materials online at orionlibrary.org or call the library at 248-693-3000.
“Due to a small electrical fire on Saturday, May 4, the Orion Township Public Library main branch building is closed for the next several weeks. Thank you to the heroic staff (and a very courageous patron!) who responded to the incident quickly and decisively,” the library wrote in an email to patrons about the incident.
“We are lucky that no one was harmed and that the building experienced minimal damage. During the next few weeks, we will be closed to ensure our facilities and materials are clean and cleared of smoke from the incident. While the library building itself will be closed, we will continue to offer the services we are able,” the notification continued.
The library staff had planned to continue curbside pickup services for patrons, but suspended that service on May 8.
“With an abundance of caution, we will unfortunately need to suspend our curbside services while we await environment test results from within our building. We will resume as soon as we have verified the safety of our process,” a second notification stated.
Library Main Branch
The Orion Township Public Library main branch will offer lobby pick-up services from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The main branch is closed on Sundays.
Patrons may place holds on library materials online via the library catalog or by calling the library. All library materials currently on the hold shelf will continue to be available for pickup until May 24. Materials will not immediately be available for pick-up once patrons have placed a hold: they will receive an email confirmation to let them know when their materials are ready for pick-up.
Orion Center Library Branch
The Orion Center Library Branch will remain open for extended business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Printing and Copying Services
The OTPL Main Branch will not be able to provide printing or copying services, but the Orion Center Branch has a printer to take care of printing needs. Notary services will not be available at the OTPL Main Branch but are available at the Orion Center Branch during operating hours.
Digital Services
With an Orion Township Public Library card, residents have 24/7 access to streaming and downloadable content in a variety of formats such as eBooks, audiobooks, eMagazines, movies and television and music. The Hoopla, Libby and Kanopy apps deliver thousands of options of entertainment. For more information and to start streaming, visit orionlibrary.org/downloads.
Used Book Sale
The Friends of the Library Gently Used Book Sale is postponed until further notice.