The Big Sur branch of Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) will be temporarily closed effective immediately. Reopening date is set for March 1, 2016. Closure is due to the deteriorating building condition and planned structural repairs.

During the closure, the following library service options are available to library users in the Big Sur area:

* A branchlet has been set up at the location (Hwy 1 at Ripplewood) and will be available 24/7. Library users are welcome to “Take a book and Leave a book”. If they don’t have a book to leave behind, users are still welcome to take a book and bring it back when they are done with it.

* The Reading Safari bookmobile will be at the site: Fridays 11 AM – 2 PM

* Library users can have materials delivered to their homes through MCFL’s Library-by-Mail program. Call (831) 883-7544 or (800) 322-6884 for more information or to request delivery of library materials.

* Library users may visit any MCFL branch. The branch closest to Big Sur is the Seaside Branch Library at 550 Harcourt Avenue, Seaside, CA 93955. Call (831) 899-2055 with your reference questions or for information about the Seaside branch.

* Updates on the Big Sur branch status and online services are available 24/7 at the MCFL’s website at www.MontereyCountyFreeLibraries.org

“As you may imagine, this need to close took us completely by surprise,” said Library Director Jayanti Addleman, “but we can rise to any challenge at MCFL. Our staff members just rolled up their sleeves and very quickly put a very workable back-up plan into place. We are very sorry for the closure and hope we can keep the impact on the public to a minimum.”