Public Libraries Reopening?

[harllee]

I am missing my public library--more than restaurants, fitness centers or hair cuts. I like to read a real book. So far our library has not reopened and I was wondering what is happening with other libraries. I was hoping our library would have a curbside pick up or something where you could order a book and drive by and pick it up (and then sanitize it somehow) but they don't have anything so far.

 

[MrsHaloFIRE]

Here in TX they started turning the Wi-Fi on so ppl could access outdoors. This week finally they are doing contactless curbside pickup. We are in stage 2 (I tjink) They have promoted digital collections and digital library card issuance throughout

 

[orchid55]

We are in the northeast suburbs of Atlanta and our library is open only for curbside pick-up. It is a cumbersome system. First you put the books you want on hold online. Second when the library has the books you are send an email to that effect. Third you must call for a curbside pick-up appointment. Calling is the only option to get an appointment. The library is only open for pick-ups noon to 7 p.m. M-Th and noon to 5 p.m. F-S. It is great to get new books but it is really slow. When I call for a pick-up it is usually 3-4 days before they have an open spot.
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[Doribe]

My suburban library is supposed to open, with restrictions, mid June. I think I will be able to order a book and set up a pick up time. I doubt there will be curbside pickup because I live in a congested area and there is construction on the library's street.

 

[braumeister]

Ours just reopened for curbside pickups, and they expect to allow people inside sometime later in June.

 

[Midpack]

Also in NC. Our libraries open tomorrow albeit on a limited basis, but you can check out and return physical books again.

Beginning June 1, 2020, phasing in services. The Library will be open during its regular summer hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. and Friday & Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The first phase of the re-opening is expected to last three to four weeks before we expand in our second phase. At each branch location you’ll find limited services - holds pick-up and returns only. We allocated space inside the front entrance in each branch to serve one customer at a time, with a 6-foot distancing line outside. While customers are in line outside, staff will encourage social distancing and explain the available services.

During our initial opening phase, all Library staff will wear face masks or coverings, and we encourage (but do not require) customers to do the same. We’re moving from virtual-only services to in-person services in a responsible way that focuses on safety. We’ll continue to bring back in-person services over the next weeks and months as it is safe to do so, and as we build our capacity to provide service in a new way that meets the safety requirements as outlined by the State and the County.

[edit] DW read on FB returned books will be quarantined for 3 days.

 

[W2R]

Ours is shut down about as much as yours is, from what I gather, Harllee.

Our public library began Phase I of re-opening on May 15th. Book drops are open outside (for return of materials borrowed before the pandemic, I think) but nobody is allowed inside. No fines for materials returned late.

The following services will be available during Phase I:

24/7 access to Wi-Fi will be available at all library parking lots.
The library’s Facebook and social media pages, library webpage, Ask-a-Librarian and other remote platforms will continue to operate for patrons who have questions or need to interact with library staff; and
Virtual services will be continued, including remote databases and online books and DVDs

That's all we have so far, and no information about if/when more services can open up.

 

[harllee]

Also in NC. Our libraries open tomorrow albeit on a limited basis, but you can check out and return physical books again.

Thanks Midpack--good to know that some libraries in NC have started partial reopening. I think one concern here is that our town is seeing an uptick in cases, hospitalizations and deaths (we have 40 deaths in this fairly small town) and everyone being extra cautious.

 

[camfused]

My DW is a librarian, so we know a bit about this. It is a pretty complex undertaking to reopen the libraries.
- Unlike a restaurant, where you take away things (and can then cough all over it), at a library, you cough all over the books then bring them TO the library. When people return books, they have to be set aside for (ALA recommended) 72 hours, before they can be shelved or put into circulation. This messes up the flow of books in the circulation, and many libraries do not have the storage space to do this. And, you cannot simply wipe most books without damaging them, nor can you wipe every single page of a book.
- They need to purchase PPE for the library staff and patrons. Of course, libraries have NO extra money to do this, and county revenues are way down this year (they are cutting budgets pretty good, due to lower tax revenues due to the virus). Supplies can be a little difficult to find too.
- Even with PPE, how do you enforce use? You can ask people to wear masks, but then some will yell at you that their tax dollars pay for this building and you can't tell them what to do (or ask them to leave)
- Many people use the computers in libraries. How do you sanitize these? Wipe down keyboards/mice/displays after every use? Put plastic coverings on them, that you change after every use?
- Many people (more than you think!) come in to the library in the morning and hang out there all day, working/studying/whatever, using the WiFi. Staying indoors, breathing other people's air all day. But I guess that is not really the library's problem.
- Librarians did NOT sign up to be front-line workers, facing the people that will not social-distance and wear masks. Neither did people in retail!

With all this going on, DW is finally thinking of retiring (which is fine with me )

P.S. Where is the first place people go when they are feeling sick? The library, to get a book to read while they are recuperating. Oye!

 

[W2R]

I think one concern here is that our town is seeing an uptick in cases, hospitalizations and deaths

If we were still having an uptick in cases and had a lot of cases per capita, I sure wouldn't want to be going to the library! I'd be staying home 24/7 and not going anywhere until things settled down. Maybe I'm too much of a scaredy-cat but that is what I would do. In fact that is what I did when the situation here was like that.

 

[Midpack]

Thanks Midpack--good to know that some libraries in NC have started partial reopening. I think one concern here is that our town is seeing an uptick in cases, hospitalizations and deaths (we have 40 deaths in this fairly small town) and everyone being extra cautious.

I think what our libraries are doing is perfectly safe. Only one customer at a time and you can’t go in, the library rep meets you at the door. You have a book held online and then go get it when it’s available. Returned books are quarantined for 3 days.

 

[harllee]

I am not suggesting our library let people into the library--what I had hoped was to have some sort of pick up where I could put a book on hold and when it is available go by the library and pick it up--curbside.

 

[Midpack]

I think what our libraries are doing is perfectly safe. Only one customer at a time and you can’t go in, the library rep meets you at the door. You have a book held online and then go get it when it’s available. Returned books are quarantined for 3 days.

I am not suggesting our library let people into the library--what I had hoped was to have some sort of pick up where I could put a book on hold and when it is available go by the library and pick it up--curbside.

I was addressing some of the inside issues camfused raised, and yours. You mentioned an uptick, but I wouldn’t think the approach libraries are taking here would add to new cases. There’s almost no person to person contact and books are quarantined on return. Frankly they could have started this safely a while ago IMO.

 

[friar1610]

My wife and I are big library users. We've seen nothing about ours reopening. They've adjusted the due dates for books that had been taken out before closure on several occasions. They're currently due June 30, so I have no hopes of an early reopening.

 

[badatmath]

I think ones here have hinted at Sept/Oct but have no heard a definite plan. Part of the problem is likely budget . who is going to pay for all that extra cleaning?

 

[harllee]

I think ones here have hinted at Sept/Oct but have no heard a definite plan. Part of the problem is likely budget . who is going to pay for all that extra cleaning?

Yikes! September or October with no books. I might have to actually buy some--something I have not done in years.

 

[Boose]

I'm a children's librarian in a large county system. Our branch just opened for curbside pickup of already-waiting holds (not new requests). New requests will be available in phase 2. There's no planned date whatsoever for allowing customers inside the building. We're not taking returns at all until we receive Battelle's study on the infectiousness of library materials, which should be released this summer. Each branch in the first wave of openings will have a security guard to deal with rebelliously-unmasked customers, and there are masks and face shields for staff. Of course, staff have to remain distanced from each other inside the library, too. 75% of my job before corona was reading, singing and making crafts with small children, so I'm completely dead in the water. I've been reassigned to a senior meals delivery program where I sign participants up from home. Given my retirement timeline, I may leave before I am able to lead another storytime. It's not quite how I wanted to sign off from a decades-long career.

 

[Midpack]

I think ones here have hinted at Sept/Oct but have no heard a definite plan. Part of the problem is likely budget . who is going to pay for all that extra cleaning?

Little or no extra cleaning in the reopen I described. It doesn't have to be stayed closed versus throw the doors open to the public...

 

[Midpack]

Yikes! September or October with no books. I might have to actually buy some--something I have not done in years.

I take it your averse to eBooks? DW likes to read physical books, now we're both satisfied with eBooks and eMagazines. Seems like a very small sacrifice while we don't have physical books.

 

[scrabbler1]

I am a frequent patron of our local libraries here on Long Island (NY). They are what I would like to see reopened more than anything else. No word about when they will reopen.


In my libraries, at least, we don't have big crowds of people close together, at least in the adult section. I am very rarely less than 6 feet away from anyone, with far more social distancing than in, say, the supermarket. I would think they could get these places reopened soon.

 

[cathy63]

Our local library reopened on May 11 for curbside pickup, with these instructions:

1. Visit the library’s catalog at ***library.org and place a hold on books you’d like to read, audiobooks you would like to listen to or movies you’d like to view.
2. When your hold is available, the library will notify you.
3. Monday through Friday between 10 am and 4 pm, you can pull your car up in front of the library and call the library at ***-***-****.
4. Staff will look you up in our system and verify your identity.
5. Once your identity is confirmed, staff will checkout your selections and roll them out to your car.

I'm an e-book borrower, but as far as I know the pickup option has been successful.

 

[harllee]

I take it your averse to eBooks? DW likes to read physical books, now we're both satisfied with eBooks and eMagazines. Seems like a very small sacrifice while we don't have physical books.

I like real books better than ebooks but I will read an ebook if I have to--I am reading an ebook right now. One problem I have with ebooks is that I cannot get the books I want to read--I am 30th in line or something whereas the real book is available at my library now if it would open. In fact, there are 4 real books and 2 DVDs on hold at my library right now with my name on them if I could get them but none of these are available as an ebook. I would be glad to do curbside pick up if it were available to me. I have asked my local library why they don't do curbside and have never gotten an answer.

 

[Calico]

I am not suggesting our library let people into the library--what I had hoped was to have some sort of pick up where I could put a book on hold and when it is available go by the library and pick it up--curbside.

Pre-Covid I was in the Chapel Hill Library 2-3 times a week. Do you subscribe to the library's email newsletter/updates? I'm sure you can do so at their website; I've been subscribed for years so don't recall exactly how I signed up originally. The newsletter is filled with information and links to digital library resources available while they are closed. The newsletter I received on May 8th had the information below; as you can see they are carefully moving towards developing a curbside system for the general public. I am glad they are trying it out first on a select group, so they can work out any unforeseen kinks. You and I will both be happy when they get it up and going! And we won't have to experience any of the initial kinks!

The newsletter also said any material currently on hold would be available when they re-open, so I believe you can use the hold feature now in anticipation of them re-opening.

 

[harllee]

Pre-Covid I was in the Chapel Hill Library 2-3 times a week. Do you subscribe to the library's email newsletter/updates? I'm sure you can do so at their website; I've been subscribed for years so don't recall exactly how I signed up originally. The newsletter is filled with information and links to digital library resources available while they are closed. The newsletter I received on May 8th had the information below; as you can see they are carefully moving towards developing a curbside system for the general public. I am glad they are trying it out first on a select group, so they can work out any unforeseen kinks. You and I will both be happy when they get it up and going! And we won't have to experience any of the initial kinks!

The newsletter also said any material currently on hold would be available when they re-open, so I believe you can use the hold feature now in anticipation of them re-opening.

Yes, I saw that on May 8 but I never got notified to pick up my books on hold. I have 4 books showing they are ready for me to pick up at the Chapel Hill library. I called the library and asked if I could pick up my books but 3 weeks later I have never received a response. So the select group they are working with must be very select--it does not include me with 4 holds. I just would like to be able to pick up the books I have on hold.

 

[Calico]

Yes, I saw that on May 8 but I never got notified to pick up my books on hold. I have 4 books showing they are ready for me to pick up at the Chapel Hill library. I called the library and asked if I could pick up my books but 3 weeks later I have never received a response. So the select group they are working with must be very select--it does not include me with 4 holds. I just would like to be able to pick up the books I have on hold.

The select group doesn't include me either. It only includes the small group of people doing the trial run. The library currently has thousands of volumes checked out, and presumably they have thousands on hold also. They can't open up the curbside service to all of us who would love to pick up our books until they figure out how to do it safely and responsibly.

I have one book on hold, but that's because the electronic catalog put it on hold when I requested it, and the automated system now says it's "ready for pickup." But it isn't really ready for pickup yet - because the automated system doesn't know about Covid!