Returns Accepted May 1

Hello, Everyone
Our next phase of service will be to accept returns of library materials beginning  Friday, May 1. Here's how we'll do it:

• Returns will be accepted at SW only from 9am to 2pm Tuesday-Saturday, in line with curbside pickup hours. The drive through book drop will be locked after before and after curbside pickup.
• All other book drops in the city will remain locked. 
• No returns will be accepted through curbside pickup UNLESS they are materials that may not be returned through the AMH such as electronics and magazines.
• Staff working curbside pickup should begin wearing gloves in order to accept any of the exception items.
• Delivery between branches and to Elkhorn will be scheduled as needed. The first run is this Tuesday following the normal Tuesday delivery schedule. Limited staff will be at the branches to accept the delivery. Processing of returns at the branches will be scheduled as needed after the quarantine period is expired.
• Delivery items will be treated as returns and quarantined for 72 hours after receipt.
• All returns to SW will be quarantined for 72 hours in the SW garage. 
• Full AMH bins with SW items or exceptions will be rolled into the garage and labeled with the 72 hour quarantine expiration date.  
• Full AMH totes for delivery will be stacked with the other bins ready for delivery and will be clearly marked with the 72 hour quarantine expiration date to inform the receiving library.  

The COVID-19 virus will not survive on library materials past 72 hours. Cleaning library materials with disinfectant could harm the material and will not be necessary if we quarantine items instead. Therefore, we will quarantine returns instead of cleaning them. This is the best way for us to manage a very heavy workload with a limited number of people in the building.

To keep us all safe, these rules continue to apply:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Wear a mask when you are within 6 feet of another person.
• Do your best to maintain a six foot distance between you and someone else, even if you're wearing a mask.
• If you are working with returns or might be handed items that cannot go through the AMH system, wear gloves.
• Stagger shifts to keep the number of people in the building low.

Remember that returning to work is your choice and you can choose to use your paid time off instead. If you are feeling fear about returning to work, use that paid time off. 

Please know that we are following all the safety recommendations from the CDC, ALA, and DPI as we offer limited service to our community. There is no guarantee of 100% safety anywhere, but we are doing our very best to manage any threats.

Barb