How might COVID-19 affect your day-to-day life? Please check out the resources below for up-to-date information on COVID-19 and related topics (taxes, student loans, etc.). COVID-19 Resources:   Center for Disease Control (CDC) The CDC has a site with all of the latest information you need about the current state of the situation on the national and global level.   Massachusetts Department of Public Health The Mass Department of Public Health offers state-specific information and guidance on COVID-19. Daily and cumulative data updates on COVID-19 cases and testing in Massachusetts are available HERE.   Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency The MEMA offers state-specific information and answers a variety of questions regarding COVID-19 in Massachusetts and the responses by FEMA during this health emergency.   Town of Ipswich COVID-19 Updates Follow the Town’s COVID-specific page to learn more about how Ipswich related changes and updates. This page contains a variety of helpful links, including ones on local case documentation and resources for small businesses.   COVID-19 Related Resources:   Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments (IRS) Through this page, the IRS offers updated tax help and information for taxpayers, businesses, tax-exempt organizations and others – including health plans – affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).   Federal Student Aid and Loan Repayment During COVID-19 The U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office of Federal Student Aid is actively monitoring the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak. They have answered questions about several provisions of the CARES Act and your student/parent loans. Questions that have been added or updated are identified with “NEW” or “UPDATED” before each question, so please check back frequently.   Pandemic Unemployment Assistance This page offers help on how to apply for pandemic specific unemployment and addresses various changes concerning unemployment in the time of COVID-19.  

Friday, March 16, 2020: Dear Patrons, As of today, all town offices, including the library, are closed to the public. We do not charge late fees, but due dates have been extended and all requests have been suspended until we reopen. We encourage you to check this page and follow us on social media for the latest updates. Sincerely, Patty DiTullio, Library Director Questions? Please do not hesitate to contact me at pditullio@ipswichlibrary.org or 978-356-6649.   Friday, March 13, 2020: Dear Patrons, After consultation with town administration and under guidance from public health officials, the Ipswich Library has made the difficult, but necessary, decision to close the library to the public beginning Friday, March 13, 2020 at 5pm, until further notice. Please visit our website frequently and follow us on social media for updates about reopening dates, and services available by phone/email during the closure. We understand, and deeply regret, the inconvenience this will cause our loyal patrons. Our entire community’s health and wellness are our top priority. Ipswich Public Library offers many amazing resources that are available 24/7 available through our website. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we face this health emergency together.   Thursday, March 12, 2020: Dear Patrons, We know the current health emergency is causing anxiety across our community. The Town and the Library are sensitive to that, and want to apprise you of the steps we are taking to address the situation. The Ipswich Public Library is working closely with the Ipswich Public Health Department and other Town Departments to monitor the latest information and guidelines provided by the by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Library’s highest priority is the health and well-being of library users, staff and volunteers. To help ensure that our library is safe and welcoming to all, we have implemented a strategy that aims to prevent and slow the spread of the virus. At present, there is no change in our hours. However, we are taking the following precautions: In response to the latest recommendations by emergency management and health professionals, we are canceling all library programs until further notice. We are also closing our public meeting rooms to outside use until further notice, and will be in touch with those scheduled to use these spaces. Out of an […]

Dear Library Patrons, The library staff misses you terribly and sends you wishes for good health and safety. We wanted to let you know that we are currently hard at work behind the scenes, working to put new services into place during this unprecedented time! Like many other organizations, libraries are scrambling to adapt in order to move forward. Under normal circumstances, we base our decisions and plans on fairly extensive needs assessment and usage data. In this strange time, our community has an ever-shifting menu of needs and we want to make sure we hear from you what they are so we can respond. As the library plans for an extended closure, what services would be most valuable to you and your family? Please take this 30-second survey to weigh in!