Library Opening Doors

Pandemic Policy and Procedure for a visit

Pandemic 2020 Library Behavior Policy

Working together to ensure the health and safety of our staff and our patrons is our paramount concern. This policy is developed with the intention of employing best practices to protect health and safety and shall be in force until the danger of the spread of COVID-19 has passed. If a local spike in COVID-19 cases should occur or in case of staff illness or if there has been a known exposure to the virus the Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library Board of Trustees may choose to close the library for a period of time as a safety measure.

Use of the library building: the Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library will comply with the recommendation of the CDC and the State of Wisconsin regarding the number of people who may be within the premises at any time. This number shall include staff that are present.

Those entering will be asked to:

· Wear a mask or a bandana.

· Wash hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering the building.

· Maintain safe-distance practices from those not in their party.

· Returned items should be placed in the bin clearly marked RETURNS, not placed on the desk.

· Try to complete their library errands in a timely fashion. We know you love to browse the stacks! We just ask you to remember that someone may be waiting outside to take their turn.

· Items you have handled but opted not to check out should be left on the display cube near the checkout desk and not returned to the shelf.

· Library staff will assist with materials check out. You may opt to have your due date slip e-mailed rather than printed.

· For those not comfortable with entering the library building, curbside pick-up will remain available.

· Anyone exhibiting COVID-like symptoms or who has been exposed to anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 should not enter the library.

· Patrons will be asked to enter the library through the south entrance (facing Mill Street) and depart via the Main Street entrance.

Use of Public Access Computers and/or Library WIFI

· Public access computer time limits will be monitored and enforced to allow all those wishing to enter and use the library to do so on a timely basis. If there is no one waiting to use a computer or to enter the library, additional one-half hour public access computer stations can be enabled.

· To allow for safe social distancing, only three of our public access computers are available for use.

· Staff ability to assist with computer issues may be limited by social distancing requirements.

· Those requiring printed material are asked to choose the Lexmark or Color Printer. Please remove printed material immediately and take care not to touch the printer, itself.

· Patrons are asked to inform staff when finished with the computer or copy machine so staff can disinfect device.

· Our Wi-Fi is always on. Those entering to use our Wi-Fi are asked to consider safe social distancing as they choose a place at the table. Weather permitting, outside placement is encouraged.

· Length of stay of those using Wi-Fi inside the library will be monitored. Patrons may be asked to leave the building if they have been in place for more than one-half hour and others are waiting to enter the building.

Materials Handling Since the advent of COVID-19: the Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library has been practicing quarantining procedures and will continue to do so until advised that the danger of COVID-19 has passed.

· Items returned to the Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library will be quarantined for 72 hours, or the current recommendation of the CDC and/or the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

· Patrons are asked not to browse the quarantine bins!

· After quarantine, items are disinfected before being returned to shelves.

· Returned items should be placed in clearly marked RETURN bin.

Library Staff

· Library staff will wear masks when interacting with patrons.

· Library staff will wash their hands between patron transactions if they have handled materials also handled by patrons.

· Library staff will maintain safe social distances and requests that patrons do the same.

Policy approved: May 28, 2020: Catherine Fleming, President, Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library Board of Trustees