June
15, 2020
Dear
Valued Library Patron:
On
behalf of our entire family of libraries, we want to thank you for your support
during the past couple of months. While our doors were physically closed to
you, our Central Mississippi Regional Library System Board of Trustees and Library
Team was committed to providing digital services which included access to
eBooks, Databases, eContent, free Wi-Fi at all branches. We are grateful that
you have continued to support us from a distance. Because of your support, we
have been able to promote safety for our communities and our library team. We
sincerely appreciate your vast loyalty and look forward to having you visit our
libraries again soon.
What
has been happening behind the scene at CMRLS Libraries? While not only getting
your libraries ready to open and keeping everyone safe by quarantining and cleaning books, managing computer updates and cabling,
moving the Mize Library, a new AC system at the Flowood Library, creation of
policies and procedures for prolonged closing and reopening during a pandemic,
and much, much more; the CMRLS staff have attended more than 2,530 webinars
and self-paced classes ranging from the available CMRLS online resources to
Top Ten Skills for Teaching Tech to Patrons.
We
kindly ask that you refrain from visiting our libraries if you have any
symptoms (coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea), if
you have had a fever of 100.4 in the past 48hrs, or if you have been in close
contact with a confirmed case of COVID19. Additionally, we request your
participation in our social distancing practices to safeguard our CMRLS team
and patrons. Thank you for your assistance in this matter! Libraries will follow all local guidelines to
open at specified capacity rates. Below is a list of policies and operations
that our libraries will be following, along with estimated dates of when each
location plans to reopen.
·
Programming
o In-person library programming, such
as but not limited to story times and book clubs, will not be offered until
further notice. We are offering virtual programs! Visit us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CMRLS.Libraries/.
·
Library
Staff
o The Library Team Member is required
to undergo a series of health screening questions before entering the building.
Those showing any signs of symptoms or fever are prohibited from entering the library.
o Library Team Members are required
to wear protective masks and gloves with frequent glove changes and hand
washing.
o Library Team Members are provided
proper training and guidance on safety protocols and steps to minimize the
spread of COVID19.
·
Library
Services
o Curbside Services include material
pick up and return.
o All book drops are open.
o All returned materials are
quarantined for 14 days. All fines and fees will be waived. Materials should
not appear on patron’s account after 14 days of quarantine. This will not
prevent further checkouts.
o Appointments can be made at
libraries to use study tables and computers. Study tables and computer stations
are seated at least 6ft apart from one another.
o Availability of computers will be
limited. We will adhere to thirty-minute sessions to allow for others to use
computers. Free Wi-Fi can be accessed on the outside of the library building.
o All libraries are offering Curbside
Document Delivery Services such as printing, copying, and faxing for a fee. Wireless
printing is available at select branches: Flowood, Pearl, Magee, Mendenhall,
Forest.
o Notary services are available for a
nominal fee at the following branches: Flowood, Harrisville, Magee, and Mendenhall
libraries.
o Meeting room use and study room use
are discontinued until further notice
o Tables, chairs, and other library
surfaces are sanitized after every use.
o High-touch areas such as doorknobs,
screens, restrooms, etc. are sanitized frequently throughout each shift.
o Antibacterial soap and hand
sanitizer are readily available for Library Team Members and patrons in the
libraries.
We will
continue to closely monitor the recommendations of local health departments and
authorities to ensure we are serving you in the safest way possible. From the
beginning of the pandemic, we have continued to prioritize the health and well-being
of our library team members and library patrons. Thank you for being a CMRLS
patron! Be safe and be well.
Warm
regards,
Mara V.
Polk
Executive
Director
Posts
