“We are looking forward to once again opening our doors to the public,” said Library Director Bill Martino. “However, since everything is not yet back to normal and the virus is still a threat, we are modifying our hours and service models to ensure both staff and patron safety.”
The public will need to continue to use the book drops to return items, which will then be disinfected and quarantined for 72 hours before they can be checked out again. Curbside pickup will also still be available at the main library from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday.
Computer usage will also be limited to essentials websites and study and meeting rooms are not available at any of the locations, Martino said.
“The goal is to allow patrons to browse the shelves, get their materials and depart. We, like everyone else, are hopeful that this “new normal” will not last much longer and that we can get back to life as we know it,” Martino said.
Other guidelines include a limited number of people at a time in each building, a reconfigured inside to allow for social distancing, protective shields installed at service points, floor decals and other signs to remind people to stay six-feet apart, staff members will be wearing masks and patrons are strongly recommended to wear a facial covering, and a free will be offered to anyone that wants one.
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The Champaign County Library will reopen on Monday with normal hours of operation at both the Urbana and North Lewisburg locations.
The library “will reopen with limited building access at both locations to provide Express Library Service or library visits designed to be 30 minutes or less,” said Library Director Ty Henderson.
Other guidelines include building capacity of 25 people at Urbana and 5 people at North Lewisburg, access will be limited to most essential areas such as the service desk and computer lab, staff will wear masks and patrons are encouraged to also, Plexiglas shields installed at the service desks, hi-touch areas routinely disinfected and social distancing will be in place.
“We’re encouraging Express Library Visits, so grab-and-go options of staff-selected materials will be available on display units for quick and easy access,” Henderson said.
Faxing and copying services will be available, however, meeting and study rooms will not be. The Local History Room and Imagine Lab are available by appointment only.
The public will also be allowed to check out their items using less contact, but curbside service is highly encouraged for people to pick up reserved items, send faxes or make copies, Henderson said. The curbside service is open until one hour before the libraries close.
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The New Carlisle Library, however, has not made a decision on when it will reopen, said Library Director Beth Freeman.
“We do know that we will open by appointment only for computer usage before we open to the general public for browsing,” she said. “We feel good about the no-contact pickup we are offering, but we understand that the one need patrons have that we aren’t currently meeting is computer usage.”
Freeman said they hope to have firm plans by July 1, and that the library will continue their no-contact pickup, even after they open.
“We want people to feel comfortable with how they are accessing our materials and want to leave this as an option,” Freeman said. “We also have a rotating supply of crafts, passive programs and other activities for all ages available near our no-contact pickup area.”
Guidelines that will be put in place when the library reopens includes limiting the number of people in the building at one time, requiring face coverings and social distancing, asking patrons to keep their visit as brief as possible, limiting seating and removing all toys from the children’s area.
“As much as we look forward to the day we can once again be the community gathering place, we are more interested in doing whatever we can to keep our community safe,” Freeman said.
The library has also participated in some virtual programs while they’ve been closed and may have more moving forward, Freeman said.
Some current programs include an activity for adults where they find famous literary detective’s names in store windows around town and fill out where they find them and the Summer Reading Program for kids, teens and adults to earn digital badges and engage with the library.
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