The Moline Public Library is making temporary layoffs and budget cuts amid the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
On Tuesday, the library announced that all of their employees would be laid off while the library is closed. The library has been closed off to the public since Governor J.B. Pritzker's Shelter-at-home order on March 17th.
Library employee Kelly Giovanine tells TV6 that they didn't see this coming. "It definitely took us by surprise." Giovanine says they were prepared to implement curbside pick-ups, but because of the layoffs, that's no longer possible.
Giovanine says she hopes the library can reopen once the stay at home order is lifted, even if that means there are limited services and hours. Adding that even when the library does re-open, it will look very different because of a "large budget cut that had already been committed by the city...it will be a significant cut."