Columbia Public Library closing Election Day except for voting

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Public Library building and curbside pick-up services will be closed on Election Day, November 3, except for voting.

Officials say the decision was made after considering several options for managing traffic in and out of the busy lobby area in order to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

“We want to make sure that voting in the library will be as safe as possible for voters, library patrons and staff,” said Margaret Conroy, Daniel Boone Regional Library executive director.

The Columbia Public Library has served as a polling place for many years. Because it is a presidential election year, a larger voter turnout is expected, and limiting the number of people in and out of the building will make it safer.

The libraries in Ashland, Fulton and Holts Summit are not polling places and will be open to the public Tuesday.