Library Health Announcement

If you are a patron of ours, you will likely notice new signs around the building. This is one of our attempts to do our part in the community to slow the spread of COVID-19 (and cold and flu). As local schools have now closed for 2 weeks, it is possible our status here will also change, and quickly. Please pay attention to our Facebook page where we can most quickly and easily update everyone. The following is part of what’s physically posted at the library and what was shared earlier this week on our Facebook page. It is subject to change.

We’ve posted easy-to-read reminders on how to properly wash hands near our sinks (we have bunches of little kids and parents, so it’s good to build good habits). If having a little poster like ours for your home or workplace might help YOU, we’ll share a link to where we got ours.

We will also be posting reminders requesting people don’t visit if they or a family member are/is sick (also, simply good and considerate practices).

We will also be encouraging “social distancing”–so please keep at least 3 feet and ideally 6 feet away from people. You know our library is unlike others in that talking is okay, so, during these times particularly, Shannon’s not going to flip out if you need to talk a little more loudly to communicate with people. This also means we don’t want you leaning on the circulation desk or reaching across it.

We will also be reminding you of your ability to use alternative procedures to get books and resources (call, talk to Shannon or Anne, request books, and reserve them and a time at which we can walk them to your car).

You can also renew books/resources over the phone (988-6661)–in that case you can leave us a message with your name and request.

We continue to disinfect book covers as books come in from 4CLS and we disinfect books that are returned (that’s no different from last year during the height of cold and flu season, or when books come in looking like they were dropped in a puddle of mud…).

We regularly disinfect shared surfaces (tables, hard chairs, keyboards, computer mice, door knobs, light switches).

In the case of children we will instruct them to go wash their hands if they’re making questionable choices about touching their eyes, nose, mouth, etc. and shared surfaces (and then disinfect while they wash up).

We’ve also put away all the stuffed animals which regularly populate our children’s section since scientists still have not determined the length of time certain germs cling to soft surfaces. (This morning we will also be removing ALL children’s toys including Legos and the table and chairs as we cannot keep them as constantly disinfected as we’d like and the table is too small to accommodate social distancing.)

If there is something you’d like us to also do, feel free to make a suggestion. We are here to listen, learn, and work hard on your behalf.

Additionally, we will be changing services in such a way to better accommodate the stay-at-home needs of families with children to entertain. Starting today (Saturday, March 14th) resources will be loaned out for 6 weeks, all events/activities will be cancelled for the next 2 weeks (some will be made available online through our Facebook account), and our daily schedule is subject to change, so please check in on Facebook to learn more.