As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, our library continues to evolve with it. We have been closely monitoring the situation at both a state and local level, and have continued our discussions with the Indiana State Library, the Indiana Library Federation, and local officials to ensure that we are making safe and informed decisions as we continue to navigate through this unprecedented time.
On Monday, June 15th, our library will begin Phase 3 of our phased reopening plan. The answer to the question you all have been asking: Yes, our doors will be open. However, they will do so in a limited capacity. While we are excited to welcome everyone back, it is important that we continue to do our part to minimize the spread of the COVID virus. Because of this, we will proceed slowly and cautiously, giving extra attention to cleaning and sanitation as well as social distancing and innovative staff procedures to ensure that we are doing everything we possibly can to keep our patrons and our staff healthy.
So what does Phase 3 look like?
Staff will be wearing masks and enforcing the social distancing guidelines of 6 ft. We ask that you please do the same. If you don’t have a mask, that’s okay! We will have masks available.
Staff will only be able to provide assistance from no less than 6 feet away,
Neon yellow guidelines have been placed on the floor to encourage safe distancing.
Only 4 patrons will be allowed in the building at any given time, and patrons are asked to limit their visit to no more than 30 minutes.
We will only have 2 computers available to enforce social distancing.
There will be no in-house use of loanable materials, including magazines. All items need to be checked out and enjoyed at home. Newspapers will not be available.
We have instituted an enhanced cleaning schedule of all high touch surfaces.
Sanitizer is provided, and hand washing is encouraged for all patrons.
All staff and visitors are encouraged to practice proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
Staff are being held to strict safety guidelines that meet CDC safety requirements, and every staff member completes a health check before entering the building.
If you feel sick or someone in your household is ill, please do not come to the library.
A patron checkout station has been created so that patrons can scan their own materials, minimizing the amount of hand to hand transfer of items.
Patrons are to place all returns in either the drop box outside or the return tub located by the circulation desk. Please do not give the items to staff members.
Returns will be processed after a 7 day quarantine period.
Curbside pickup will still be available for those that prefer to not enter the building.
Our operating hours will return to normal, with the exception that we will not be open on Saturdays.
Please remember that we now offer wireless printing via Princh.
While we will not have any in-person programming, Summer Reading is currently offered for all ages! You can do this via Beanstack, our online platform, or you can talk to staff about our paper version.
We are offering virtual programming via our Facebook and YouTube pages.
We also have take-home craft kits and Little Wiggler – Home Version kits available. We hope to expand these offerings and summer continues.
Parents, as I have said before, please help children prepare for these changes. We do not want them to be afraid of the library. We want them to see our space as a safe, welcoming, and exciting place to be. Remind them that we will be smiling behind our masks, we love air fives and air hugs, and we are absolutely thrilled to see them again.
To all of our patrons, please know that we are doing everything we can to ensure that our library is a safe resource for you amid this pandemic, and we will continue to do so far as long is necessary. We will continue to monitor the situation, so please know that this plan can change at any given time. While we hope to be able to move forward to a less restrictive model, it is also possible that we may need to move backward to ensure we are being responsible about the situation and keeping safety at the forefront of our mission.
As always, thank you for being understanding and supportive during this difficult time. It has been a long 3 months without you, and I cannot wait to hear laughter and conversation bouncing off of our walls again.
We will see you all very soon, and please, stay safe and be kind to one another.
-Kristine Wright
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