Staffing problems close Lower Richland Library branch for a week
Richland Library’s Lower Richland branch in Hopkins will be closed until Jan. 18 because of staffing problems, the library announced Tuesday evening.
The branch, located at 9019 Garner’s Ferry Road across the street from Lower Richland High School, is the smallest in the library system, with the smallest staff compliment as well, explained library spokesperson Anika Thomas. She added that she does not know if the staff issue is because of COVID-19.
She said the library system’s 12 other branches should remain open, with “nothing that indicates” they would need to close.
In the meantime, holds and other indoor services won’t be available, but the book drop will remain open and Wi-Fi will be accessible in the parking lot, according to the library’s release.
The library will reopen Jan. 18 at 9 a.m. All Richland Library locations will be closed Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Staffing problems have been pervasive across Richland County and the nation, in part because of COVID-19 infections and exposures. Thomas said she isn’t seeing those problems at any other Richland Library branches. Other entities, from school districts to the city of Columbia, are reporting overarching manpower problems.
