Welcome to another week of creating as much certainty as we can from uncertainty.
We have a new (surprise!) order from the Governor that's giving libraries the go ahead to resume curbside pickup. There are still so many questions looming, including whether we can also accept returns. It's a shame the Governor told libraries at the same time he told the public instead of letting us know first, or we would have been able to settle that question ahead of time. I know DPI is trying hard to sort out everything for us and give us clear guidance. I'm hoping we will know the answer early in the week. The truth is, some small libraries in Wisconsin don't have locks on their return boxes, so they've never been able to halt returns. Staff have been going in to empty book drops all along. I'm glad we haven't had to do that so far, because we don't have any definitive answers about how long the virus lives on the surface of library materials. Luckily, the Columbus (OH) Metro Library is teaming up with a local laboratory to test the live virus on an array of library material surfaces. We will know exactly how to handle returned items by the time we resume accepting them.
So how will we begin resuming service to Kenosha on Friday?
Here's the email I sent to our city officials on Saturday. I hope it helps give you a clearer picture of just what we'll be doing.
A couple of extras- we're setting up the catalog to only show what's available at SW. So if people wonder where the bestsellers, are, well, they're out. And they won't see other library holdings. No delivery for now. They will only have one location for pickup for their hold-SW. All checkouts continue to be fine free till the end of June.
Take care, everyone!
Barb
Hello, Alderpersons
I'm sure you are receiving a lot of questions from your constituents about the new order from our Governor that permits public libraries to resume curbside pickup on April 24th. I wanted to offer you some answers to make your jobs a little easier and help people understand what this order allows and doesn't allow. I also wanted to give you some information about how we plan to protect everyone in the process.
For those of your constituents who used the library's curbside pickup service just prior to the Safer at Home order, the process will be the same. Here's how it works:
Curbside pickup will be available Tuesday through Saturday, beginning April 24th.
This service will only be available at the Southwest Library location.
1. Library patrons can go online to our catalog (mykpl.info) and request items to be held for them starting Monday. Or they can call 564-6136 and speak with a librarian who will offer reading suggestions. Some of our elderly library users don't use the internet. This is a good way for them to talk to a librarian and order library materials.
2. We will call them once we have retrieved the item and it's ready for pickup. During the call, we will offer them 2 different windows of time, 9am-11am and noon to 2pm during which they can drive up to the front of the library to pick up their holds. There will be a sign out front with a phone number to call alerting us they have arrived. (typically this isn't necessary, because we have several cars in service already.)
3. We will ask to see their drivers license through the window. This is because items will already be checked out to them when they come to pick it up. We want to be sure the right person is picking it up. We will NOT handle their license.
Our library workers will wear protective masks and gloves. We will practice social distancing outside and inside the library, limiting one staff member per room.
Materials provided through curbside pickup have been disinfected.
You will receive questions about returning items. At this time, DPI is interpreting the Governor's latest order to NOT allow returned materials in order to protect library staff. Should this change, and we expect it probably will, we will follow CDC guidance that quarantining returned materials for 24 hours is good practice. After quarantine, our staff will disinfect each item before it goes back into circulation.
Besides curbside pickup, we are offering LOTS of online learning.
If your constituents need Wifi access, they can park in our parking lots at all four locations and pick up a signal.
Bookmobile service is not allowed at this time under the Safer at Home order.
And finally, if you are asked about the Summer Reading Program, please let everyone know that we are planning a program for ALL children, whether they have Internet access or not. We are well aware that children with the least resources need us the most and we are working hard to create an equitable program to keep children learning all summer. It may have to run curbside, but we'll adjust. We'll announce that program in a few weeks.
Thanks for your continued support of KPL. I know even this small restoration of service will bring Kenosha great joy.
Barb
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