The REALM project is collecting, curating and sharing information and resources produced by other organizations that support plans to resume operations and reopen archives, libraries, and museums. A first collection of examples listed below, and organized under topics commonly addressed in reopening plans. While the documents may reflect specific, local guidance, they may still provide important considerations for organization in other locations. Inclusion in this list does not represent an endorsement by the REALM Project.
Click to jump to the covered sections: Staff and patrons | Facilities and space considerations | Programs and service adaptations | Materials handling and procedures
Children's Room access, Milford Public Library:
We are limiting the number of people in our Children’s Department to a total of 15 at a time. Our welcome poster does indicate the limitations to our visitors and asks that they please keep their visits brief as a courtesy to other families who may be waiting.
We have a “greeter” at the door who keeps tabs. This week, we never had more than 11 people in at one time, so it was ok. If we were to reach a critical mass, our plan is to take their name and invite them to visit the adult dept upstairs while they wait. When space opens up, we will walkie-talkie upstairs to have them make an announcement (“Lisa A.- the children’s dept is waiting to welcome you!”). Kind of like the host station at a restaurant. Or we can take their cell # if they want to go to the park behind the building or just wait outside.
Curbside Delivery Procedure from Bloomfield Public Library, director Elizabeth Lane:
Here are the internal procedures around the curbside delivery service. My advice to directors who want to move forward with this is to have staff research and come up with solutions that make them feel the most comfortable when handling incoming materials. I have included one resource that we found helpful at the bottom.
IMLS webinar: Mitigating COVID-19 When Managing Paper-Based, Circulating, and Other Types of Collections. The transcript is also available.
Curbside Delivery Procedure from Scoville Memorial Library in Salisbury, also used by Windsor Public Library:
We have a location outside our front door where we place items labeled with the patron's name. Pickups are scheduled in 15 minute intervals via phone or email. We have accepted returns all along. We quarantine for 72 hours and wipe down book jackets, cases and dvds and cds.
Contactless Pickup Procedure from Blackstone Library in Branford
Order items beginning Monday, May 18, at 9 am. To order items for pickup, you must have a library card. If you are a Branford resident and need a card, click here. You will receive a temporary number to include in your hold request.
To place a request for items for pickup you may:
Please note:
Once we fill your hold request, you will be contacted by a staff member with a time slot for pickup.
Pickup begins Wednesday, May 20. We will offer pickup windows throughout each day, including evenings and Saturdays. You may request a specific day or window, but availability for each slot will be limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The pickup windows we offer may change, depending on demand. Please check the website for the latest updates to our offered services.
Pickup windows
How to pick up materials
During your pickup, staff will remain inside the building. If you have questions, please call or email. Please do not try to access the building—the Blackstone Library remains closed to the public to ensure everyone's safety. If you see a staff member through the window, please do feel free to wave hi. We will be thrilled to see you!
How to return materials
Safety Information
Staff members are taking all possible precautions while working inside the building to fulfill your item requests. We are wearing masks and gloves, and are working in zones, so as not to overlap each other.
Items that are returned are placed in quarantine for 3 days. After 3 days, the covers are wiped down with disinfectant and the items are returned to the shelves.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us or call 203-488-1441 ext. 315. We look forward to providing our community with materials again, and are committed to doing so responsibly.
Cheshire Public Library's reopening video
Ledyard Public Library's reopening video
Deep River Public Library's videos on Facebook:
Masks
Brookfield: We are amending our existing patron behavior policy to include that the staff has the right to enforce current health department guidelines/rules/laws (this way it could apply to other things in the future).
Free downloadable mask images from Hafuboti:
Mask poster from Maggie Rudy:
From Silas Bronson Library in Waterbury:
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