You can access library materials 24/7 with the Cochise County Library District's digital collections.
Check out ebooks, digital audiobooks, and digital magazines with on the web or the Libby app.
No library card? Apply online for an E-Resource Card, and start reading right away.
Resources | Prevention | Library Announcements
For questions about financial help and resources available during the public health crisis, visit the COVID-19 page at 211Arizona.org or dial 2-1-1.
For additional information about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), please visit these resource pages:
Local and Arizona Resources
Arizona Department of Health Services Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Data Dashboard
This resource is transitioning from daily to weekly reporting as of March 2, 2022. Updates will be made each Wednesday.
- AZ DHS COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Arizona Together: Help and Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Chiricahua Community Health Centers COVID-19 Updates
Cochise County Coronavirus Information
National Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coronavirus Disease 2019 Resources
- CDC COVID-19 Community Levels
This new tool, introduced in February 2022, identifies communities as low, medium, or high risk, based on hospital beds being used and new hospital admissions as well as the number of new cases, to help communitry members take appropriate precautions. Read more about Community Levels here.
- CDC COVID Data Tracker, County View
Need more help finding a COVID-19 vaccine? Call 1-800-232-0233. Do you have questions about vaccines? Visit the CDC's Frequently Asked Questions page for reliable answers.
Order free at-home COVID test kits here, or call 1-800-232-0233 if you need assistance placing your order.
Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center
The Health Department reminds the public that the most effective ways to prevent infection with COVID-19 are:
If you are feeling sick or have a fever, stay home from work or school.
Wear a well-fitted, highly protective mask.
If you cough, cough into your elbow.
If you sneeze, cover your nose with a tissue and discard the tissue immediately.
Wash your hands using soap and water often.
If you cannot wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.
Surfaces can be cleaned and disinfected utilizing normal household cleaning products.
In March, 2020, many libraries across Cochise County began offering limited services as a precautionary measure to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Scroll down for a timeline of when these changes were implemented at the libraries. The timeline was updated regularly through January, 2021.
For current information about all twelve public libraries in Cochise County, visit the Library Status page.
March:
March 13: Like libraries across the country, the libraries in Cochise County are working to maintain a safe environment while continuing to provide a high level of service.
Library staff and volunteers have implemented enhanced cleaning and sanitizing procedures, with a special emphasis on frequently touched surfaces like door handles, computer keyboards, and service desks. Many of the libraries have removed soft toys and similar items that cannot be thoroughly sanitized.
It is not possible for the libraries to clean every item that is checked in or out. If you would like to help keep the library collections clean, you will find cleaning tips from the Pima County Public Library here.
If it becomes necessary to cancel library events or change service hours in the interest of public health, the libraries will share updates on their individual web pages and social media pages.
March 13: Bisbee's Copper Queen Library has suspended most public programs for the remainder of March. Look for updates on the CQL Facebook page.
March 15: Rural branches of the Cochise County Library District (Bowie, Elfrida, Portal, Sunizona, Sunsites) have suspended public programs through the end of March. Please visit the Facebook pages for individual branch locations for the latest updates.
March 15: Sierra Vista Public Library has suspended story times and other large-scale youth programs. Smaller programs will go ahead as scheduled. Please visit the SVPL Facebook page for updates.
March 16: Huachuca City Public Library has suspended public programs through the end of March. Please see the library's Facebook page for the latest news.
March 16: Willcox's Elsie S. Hogan Community Library has suspended public programs until further notice.
March 16: The Cochise County Library branch in Sunizona will be closed while Ash Creek Elementary is closed. (The library is part of the school grounds.)
March 16: The Cochise County Library District branches in Bowie, Sunsites, and Elfrida are closed due to illness. The branch library in Portal will be open during its regular business hours this week.
March 16: The Huachuca City Public Library will be closed to the public through March 31. Please visit the library's Facebook page for updates.
March 16: The Sierra Vista Public Library is closed to the public until further notice. Please check the library's Facebook page for updates.
March 16: As of Tuesday, March 17, the Elsie S. Hogan Community Library in Willcox will be closed to the public until further notice. Curbside pickup of library materials will be available between 10 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday. To arrange for curbside pickup, please call library staff at 520-766-4250.
March 16: As of Tuesday, March 17, Douglas Public Library will be closed to the public until at least March 31. Please visit the library's Facebook page for updates and announcements.
March 17: Portal's Myrtle Kraft Library, a branch of the Cochise County Library District, is closed due to illness.
March 18: The Library District's countywide courier service has been scaled back to library locations that are open. Minibookmobile (homebound delivery) service will be temporarily suspended as of March 20. Library District offices are staffed but not open to visitors.
March 19: The rural branches operated by the Library District in Bowie, Elfrida, Portal, Sunizona, and Sunsites are temporarily closed to the public as an urgent precautionary measure in response to COVID-19. The libraries will reopen as soon as local, state, and federal public health indicate that social distancing is no longer required to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
March 21: At this time, the Huachuca City Public Library is closed to the public. Staff will continue to provide curbside pickup for library materials. Staff will be available to answer calls Tuesday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm, at 520-456-4063. Wifi is available from the parking lot, 24/7. Please visit the library's Facebook page for updates.
March 23: The Tombstone City Library is temporarily closed as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Due dates for library items will be extended until the library reopens, and staff are available by phone at 520-457-3612. Wifi service is available from outside the library building.
March 23: Douglas Public Library is temporarily closed to the public, but items may be returned to the drop box. Staff are available by phone at 520-417-7352 and by email at DPL@douglasaz.gov. Voicemail and email will be returned as soon as possible, Monday-Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm and Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.
Preschool Story Time will be recorded and posted to the library’s Facebook page Facebook page on Thursdays.
Wifi is available 24/7 from outside the library.
March 24: Benson Public Library is temporarily closed to the public. The library will be offering curbside services to its patrons. To check out items, including books and DVDs, please call the library at 520-586-9535. Requests may be placed between 10 am and 1 pm; items will be available for pickup between 1 pm and 4:30 pm.
Call again when you arrive at the library and staff will bring the items to you as you wait in your vehicle. This service will be available Monday - Friday.
If you have questions, library staff will be available by phone between 10 am and 5 pm, Monday - Friday.
March 30: The Tombstone City Library is no longer able to offer materials pickup, and staff are not available to answer questions by phone.
May:
May 11: The Sierra Vista Public Library is now accepting returns via the outdoor book drops, from 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. The library plans to begin offering curbside pickup service on Monday, May 18.
May 11: Bisbee's Copper Queen Library will begin offering curbside pickup service on Monday, May 18. The library has also opened registration for this year's summer reading program, which will be conducted by mail.
May 18: Sierra Vista Public Library and Bisbee's Copper Queen Library now offer curbside pickup service.
Four of the rural branch libraries operated by the Library District (in Bowie, Elfrida, Portal, and Sunsites) are now accepting requests for curbside pickup service which will begin the week of May 25. The book drops at these locations are now open and accepting returns.
May 19: The Tombstone City Library will be reopening to the public on Wednesday, May 20. The library's business hours will be 8 am to noon, Monday through Friday, until further notice.
May 20: Douglas Public Library is now offering curbside pickup service.
May 21: The Huachuca City Public Library will begin offering computer access on a by-appointment basis beginning Tuesday, June 2.
June:
June 2: The Benson Public Library is now offering some in-person services by appointment.
June 8: The countywide library courier service has been restored, so patrons may use the online catalog to place holds on items from any location. Enhanced cleaning protocols will create some delays in making items available.
June 15: Curbside pickup service is now available at Sunizona's Alice Woods Library.
June 22: Copy and fax services are now available at the rural library branches in Bowie, Elfrida, Portal, and Sunsites.
July:
July 9: Wi-fi access hours have been expanded to 6 am to 8 pm at the rural branches in Bowie, Elfrida, Portal, and Sunsites.
September:
September 8: Sierra Vista Public Library has reopened its lobby (9 am - 1 pm Monday through Friday, and 4 - 7 pm Monday through Thursday), to allow access to the library cafe and the temporary computer lab, and to allow patrons to pick up reserved items. Curbside service is also available.
September 14: Douglas Public Library is offering services by appointment, Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. Curbside pickup service is also available.
September 14: The Cochise County Library District branches in Bowie, Elfrida, and Portal are offering computer use by appointment.
October:
October 13: Huachuca City Public Library has implemented Phase 2 reopening plans. Up to 10 patrons at a time may access the library during segmented hours to allow for frequent cleaning. Appointments are recommended and masks are required. Look for details here.
October 19: As of Monday, October 19, the Sierra Vista Public Library is offering extended lobby hours. The lobby is open to pick up holds, request materials, and conduct library business from 10 am - 7 pm Monday through Thursday, 10 am - 4 pm on Friday, and 10 am - 2 pm on Saturday. The computer lab is open from 10 am - 1 pm, Monday through Thursday.
The café inside the library lobby is accepting orders to go during the daytime library lobby hours. All library book drops are now open.
Patrons are asked to maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet and wear a face covering when entering the facility. Those who are not yet comfortable entering the building, or who cannot wear a face covering, still have the option of ordering materials for outside pickup.
The Little Library Bookstore will remain closed at this time.
Please visit the library's Facebook page for the latest news and updates.
December:
December 12: The Tombstone City Library is temporarily closed to the public. Staff are available to provide assistance by phone (520-457-3612) or email, 8 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday.
December 13: The Tombstone City Library has reopened, and service hours are 8 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday.
December 28: The Benson Public Library is temporarily closed to the public. Curbside service is available 10 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Call the library at 520-586-9535 to request materials. December 30: The Huachuca City Public Library is temporarily closed to the public. Curbside service is available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. January 2021:
January 4: Benson Public Library is temporarily closed.
January 4: Willcox's Elsie S. Hogan Library will continue offering curbside service only through at least January 7, because their carpet project is still ongoing.
January 5: The Cochise County Library District branch in Portal has suspended indoor computer use appointments until further notice. Curbside services, wi-fi, and electronic materials are available.
January 12: Benson Public Library has announced that curbside service will resume as of Wednesday, January 13.
January 12: Sierra Vista Public Library has announced that it will return to curbside services only as of Wednesday, January 13.
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important things we can do to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy!
Wet your hands with clean, running water, turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Make sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Sing the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse hands well under clean, running water.
Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them.