Originally sent on WIRED from Jennie Stapp, Montana State Librarian, on 4/30/20

We have received questions about where libraries fall in the Governor’s Re-opening plans. As many of you have noticed the Governor did not specifically address libraries. This fact is not surprising given that he also did not address libraries in his stay-at-home directives. As I said at that time, I am grateful that the Governor never announced that Montana libraries are closed because most of us are still serving Montanans, albeit in different ways.  In the same way that calling for the closure of libraries would have undermined our ability to serve our patrons, calling for the phased reopening of libraries might only serve to cause confusion, especially when the degree to which we are able to reopen will vary community to community.

That said, we remain in a public health crisis and I know that planning to reopen our physical facilities is stressful, especially in the face of so much uncertainty. It is admirable and essential that you ensure that your staff and members of the public are protected during this time. Our most vulnerable community members, friends, and family depend upon us to make the right decision. We recognize that it can be hard to know what the best decision is and that many of you may be facing pressure from local officials or community members to provide services before you feel it is safe for you to do so.

Although the Governor did not specifically address libraries in his re-opening plan he provided specific guidance on what steps are necessary to open physical facilities in our state. If you review the attached FAQ you will see that in most cases the recommendations are the same for all types of organizations. During Phase 1, the Governor provides the following recommendations:

• Designate six-foot distances. Designating with signage, tape, or by other means six-foot spacing for employees and customers in line to maintain appropriate distance;
• Hand sanitizer and sanitizing products. Having hand sanitizer and sanitizing products readily available for employees and customers;
• Separate operating hours for vulnerable populations. Implementing separate operating hours for elderly and vulnerable customers; and
• Online and remote access. Posting online whether a facility is open and how best to reach the facility and continue services by phone or remotely.

On pages 5 -6 of the FAQ, the Governor specifically addresses what employers must do to protect their employees and members of the public. This directive addresses issues like the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), symptom screening, and a higher level of cleaning and sanitation. These precautions protect library staff and members of the public, and until the library can safely follow these guidelines it is best to remain closed to the public.  The State Library asked the Governor’s office about access to PPE.  We were told that the more advanced PPE currently available in Montana is being reserved for medical providers and first responders.  For libraries, the most important PPE to use is masks.  Additionally, the Governor’s Office advised us that local governments may adopt strict guidelines for the use of masks.   We encourage you to consider adopting a board policy that mandates the use of masks by patrons.

We recommend that you consider the following questions as you evaluate whether or not to reopen your facilities. It will take additional planning and resources to answer these questions in the affirmative.  You should only reopen your facilities if you can answer yes to each of these questions. By incorporating your responses to these questions in your planning, you will demonstrate to your boards, and local officials why you are making the informed decision you must make.   

1. Does the library have procedures in place to complete symptom screening for staff? And do you have procedures in place for testing, isolating, and quarantining employees who may have been exposed to COVID-19?  Are you prepared to close your library facility if a staff member develops COVID-19?
2. Does the library have PPE for its employees?  Can you install plexiglass to limit exposure between patrons and staff?
3. Is the library able to practice social distancing for employees and members of the public? This may include putting down tape, moving furniture, or only re-opening part of your computer lab.
4. Is the library able to limit the number of people gathered in the library to fewer than 10 people?
5. Is the library able to deep clean surfaces and high use areas on a frequent basis?  If you cannot clean all of your library, can you close off portions of your library, like closing your stacks?
6. Is the library able to quarantine circulated materials for at least 72 hours?
7. Can the library offer special hours for members of a vulnerable population?
8. Is the library able to provide hand sanitizer for the use of employees and members of the public?

Your answers to these questions will help you make a decision about what services you are going to offer and how. It should also reveal areas where you are in need of resources  which can be helpful when communicating with local officials and community leaders about the status of your services.

Just like we did not have the authority to direct you to close, we do not have the authority to direct you to remain closed or to reopen.  You all have unique resources and circumstances that will impact the decision to reopen your physical facilities.  But we are here to help.  We would be happy to have one-one-one conversations with you about how you might plan for reopening – I encourage you to call me or your consultants. 

Finally, as we come to the end of National Poetry Month, a poem by Catherine O’Meara to remind us that we will get through this time together:

And the people stayed home.

And they read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still.

And they listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

And the people healed.

And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.

https://the-daily-round.com/2020/03/16/in-the-time-of-pandemic/ [clicks.memberclicks-mail.net]

In good health,

Jennie