Returning to Service: Libraries and COVID-19

With various counties and states operating under a range of public health orders, many directors and managers continue to adapt, seeking a return to “normal” in the wake of various waves of COVID-19. CLiC’s guides try to answer a variety of questions:

“As we start to re-open our buildings, how can we do this safely?”

“What’s the potential for material (returned by patrons, or transported by the statewide courier) to be ‘infected’ with COVID-19?”

“What HR considerations are involved with a return to service?”

Guide 1: “Libraries Returning to Service and COVID-19” – V2.0 Dec 1, 2020. First published Apr 5, this updated short guide features four sections:

  • Protect Your Employees and Volunteers
  • Deep Clean Your Library
  • Handle Materials Safely
  • Variables Out of Your Control

Guide 2: “Human Resources Q&A: Libraries and COVID-19” – V1.0 Apr 29, 2020. This 5-page guide features a handful of Q&A-style sections involving the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and other nuanced HR considerations.

We’ll update these guides sporadically as new information emerges.

CLiC is Closed – July 3

A friendly heads up that the CLiC office will be closed Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.

This is a day to reflect on and celebrate our cherished freedoms, and to grill meats and veggies with reckless abandon.

– CLiC Staff

 

Wild Days Ahead for Courier

A library requests restart of its courier service, and is chomping to see a courier driver. And waits. And waits.

What’s going on? Why can’t this just start up right now?

We’ve tried to unpack the complexities for you in Wild Days Ahead: Restarting Library Courier.

Have other courier questions specific to your library? We’ve created procedural details through our page Courier Restart: So Much to Know! and as always, welcome your questions via our Contact Library Courier page.

COVID-19

You’ve found the spot

for all things related to COVID-19 and CLiC.

Guidance During a Turbulent Time…

It’s a dizzying amount of information to sort through out there. We’ve produced TWO GUIDES involving libraries returning to service, including some HR-related Q&A gems. Read more here, and of course, reach out! Our Colleague on Call service may be able to assist.

Looking for more?

A massive curated resource list is available from our colleagues at the Colorado State Library. Visit: Resources for Decision Makers

FREE Resources…

Several of CLiC’s vendor partners provided free access to valuable electronic resources during the early months of the public health crisis. If your library/school is interested in continuing with those resources, reach out to our Cooperative Purchasing folks to discuss things.

On Courier…

MAY 18, 2020: Delivery and pickup services are starting up again. Is your library ready to jump back into statewide resource sharing? First, we need some information from you.  Please fill out this Resumption of Courier Service form so we can let WPL (Western Peaks Logistics) know that your library is ready to re-start courier service. Want more background? Read our post on Courier Restart: So Much to Know!

Courier Impacts from COVID-19

Libraries throughout the state have been announcing closures to the public and their communities since Friday, March 13.

CLiC immediately responded by setting up a process for libraries to use in requesting suspension of courier service.

Read more here, along with our recent decision to suspend statewide courier service.