COVID-19 and Iowa Libraries Update
 IA Shares Delivery Service Suspended Indefinitely Beginning March 30
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and with the majority of libraries now closed, the State Library of Iowa is suspending the IA Shares statewide delivery service for public libraries beginning today, March 30, 2020.
The service will be suspended indefinitely but will be resume as soon as the COVID-19 threat is under control and libraries begin to reopen.
Nearly 75 percent of Iowa public libraries have reported that they are now closed to the public, and many of those libraries have already notified MOBIUS that they will not be accepting IA Shares deliveries during their closure period. Continuing to offer the delivery service during this time would be challenging, and we anticipate that demand for physical materials will drastically reduce with interlibrary loan services limited or eliminated at the closed libraries.
All items currently in transit will be secured at the seven hubs across the state, and libraries with materials to be sent via IA Shares should secure those until the service restarts. Libraries may continue to use the US Postal service to send materials; however, please be aware that many libraries have also suspended their interlibrary loan services, so requests may be delayed, denied, or remain unfilled.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. We look forward to getting this valuable service back up and running as soon as possible, and will be sure to send updates as we get closer to resuming IA Shares.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tom Keyser at tom.keyser@iowa.gov or 515-242-6542.
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