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COVID-19 Update
March 16, 2020
We are all greatly concerned about the impact that COVID-19 is having in our state, nation, and world and want to take every precaution to help prevent its spreading. We want to make every effort to keep ourselves and communities as safe as possible.
As we all know, the spread of the virus is rapid, and the approach is to attempt to slow down its spread. We have all been following local, state, and national news as it breaks and will continue to do so. We are in touch with the health departments NWRL Board, State Library, and other public libraries in the state. The State Library has issued statements that have been sent previously to all libraries.
Moving forward, we will follow these procedures:
- All programs including Matter of Balance and Quiz Bowl and outreach including the Stokes bookmobile will be suspended until further notice.
- VITA sites are in the process of deciding what to do. We will post an update on this as soon as one is available.
- All use of meeting rooms will be suspended until further notice.
- We encourage everyone to follow the recommendations to wash hands frequently for 20 seconds, not touch your face, sneeze into tissue and discard, and keep social distance of at least three feet and preferably six feet. All library surfaces will be wiped and cleaned regularly including countertops, keyboards, door knobs, light switches, and other surfaces that are touched.
- Cancellations will be posted on social media and the website. We will also post any and all updates to the website at nwrl.org. Local officials will be notified of changes including local boards and city and county officials.
- Extra precautions will be taken for any staff member who is at higher risk because of age, heart condition, diabetes, and any other compromised immune system condition.
- Any staff members that are sick will stay home.
- We ask that the public refrain from entering the library if they are sick, to cover all coughs, to keep social distance, to wash hands frequently, and to follow other recommended safety precautions.
- Hand sanitizer will be available to the staff and public.
- All puzzles, toys, and other similar items in the children’s area and elsewhere will be removed, cleaned and stored until further notice.
- Launchpads will not be circulated outside the library until further notice. Chromebooks may be circulated in house and the surfaces will be thoroughly cleaned after they are returned to staff.
- All returned books will be quarantined for several days to allow time for the virus to die on any surface before checking them in. The quarantine time is 3 days.
- All DVD/video overdues and other fines will be suspended until further notice.
- Patrons will only be allowed to use every other public computer to promote social distancing.
- Curbside pickup will be an option for all patrons to pick up their holds. We will ask anyone interested to call ahead to notify staff.
- More frequent building cleaning will take place using extra caution at all times following best practices as outlined from the CDC.
- All libraries will encourage library online resources including NC Kids Digital, NC LIVE, and Overdrive.
- As the situation continues, we will make adjustments to ensure safety with our staff, public, and communities.
Joan Sherif, Director of Libraries
Pat Polley, Regional Board Chair
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Helpful Links
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