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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!

Hey, Stranger!

Is your library ready to jump back into statewide resource sharing? If not, there’s no pressure from CLiC. Local control rules the day.

But if your library is ready, we first need some information from you.  Please fill out the Restoration of Courier Service form so we can let WPL (Western Peaks Logistics) know that your library is ready for service to resume.

BEFORE you get started, PLEASE read further. These details are important, so that your expectations are realistically matched with CLiC’s ability to deliver service.

• Statewide courier service will not be turned on with a single flip of the switch. It requires a measured, staged approach because libraries are re-opening on different dates and with different service models. Local control determines when a public, academic, school or special library re-opens, and to what extent that library’s services involve interlibrary loan.
• When a library requests that its courier service be restarted, it means the library anticipates having staff ready to receive delivery and process interlibrary loan requests. Libraries will not be allowed to periodically request starts and stops to their service. A library requesting restart of courier service should have confidence that its facilities will be operational for an extended period of time.
• Courier service will be restored to a library after a determination by Western Peaks that a) the route is deemed efficient; b) fleet and driver capacity provides for the ability to provide sustainable, consistent pickup & delivery to the library.
• Routing and scheduling is determined by WPL, not by CLiC or local libraries. Libraries cannot request specific time windows or changes to their delivery schedule. Deliveries/pickups will occur during either a morning window (9-1) or afternoon window (12-4). Check your current Courier Agreement for specifics on delivery days and times.

FAQs

Here are a few FAQs that you may be wondering about regarding restart of courier service.

I’ve already filled out your restoration of services form. Do I need to fill it out again?

Nope, you’ve done your part! If you already filled out the form, we have your details in hand. Subsequent broadcast messages you receive from us promoting the restart and the form are meant for all of those libraries who haven’t yet filled it out.

Most libraries are getting courier now; why aren’t we?!

We understand the emotion and concern behind this question. Many libraries are receiving service, and many still are not. For a quick dive into the complexities and reasons for a slow ramp-up in this statewide service, check out Wild Days Ahead: Restarting Library Courier

What if I don’t have enough empty bins for material that needs to be picked up?

We’ve got you covered! Let us know what you need on The Restoration of Courier Service form. In late April 2020, CLiC invested $8,000 to purchase additional gray bins to help smooth the restart process.  All library material needs to be in a gray bin.

Is Western Peaks disinfecting every item that passes through its system?

No. When courier services are running at full capacity, a typical DAY could involve more than 10,000 items. Libraries are encouraged to use their own local standards of quarantining and disinfecting material.

Bins held by Western Peaks Logistics while courier services were suspended have been wiped down with disinfectant. No item-level disinfecting has been done.

Are drivers required to adopt safe-handling procedures?

Yes. Western Peaks Logistics has reported that drivers do wear gloves, masks and have been advised to follow established safety guidelines. Drivers are temperature scanned at their hub locations on a daily basis. The company, many weeks ago, created protocols for regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces and other points for common contact. Since the onset of the public health crisis, no WPL drivers have tested positive for COVID-19.

Are libraries required to disinfect material in a standardized way?

No. Remember, time is the best disinfectant. Quarantine and disinfecting procedures are determined locally by each participating library. Many libraries are adopting 72-hour quarantine periods for material returned by patrons or received through the courier.

See the latest research-based findings for how long the COVID-19 virus lives on library material, as published by the REALM Project.

In early April, CLiC issued a guide that addresses some aspects of safe material handling. See: Returning to Service: Libraries and COVID-19. Follow your internal procedures for handling incoming materials, just as you would for materials returned by patrons.

Is there anything else I should be thinking about?

We are communicating actively with our colleagues at Marmot, the Alliance, Colorado State Library (SWIFT) and Flatirons Library Consortium. Since CLiC already manages AspenCat, we have those internal communication lines well established.

However, we strongly advise that your library think through what resource sharing looks like for your community and what dependencies on the statewide courier are involved — BEFORE turning on within your library catalog any patron-initiated interlibrary loan functionality. Consider waiting until courier is running consistently to your location.

Hooray! Is my library making a difference?

Absolutely! CLiC’s goal is to make it simple for your library, ensure communication is clear and consistent, and that all libraries choosing to participate in this resource-sharing system recognize that we’re all in this together. We’re a community. It’s imperfect, but works pretty darn well when we pitch in together.

Keep on eye on this space for the latest in CLiC updates involving Spring Workshops…

MARCH 17, 2020

CLiC’s approach to COVID-19 remains focused on planning, pragmatic action and no hysteria.  Things are changing quickly as closures are happening across the state – quite possibly including YOUR library.

We’ve made the decision to cancel ALL Spring Workshops, including Pueblo which was scheduled for April 27 & 28.

We’re communicating this additional cancellation of Pueblo Spring Workshop to you within hours of our decision so that you can do your part.

• If you reserved lodging in Pueblo, we advise you to cancel immediately, before any penalty is assessed. If you reserved through discounted room blocks at either of the two hotels identified by CLiC, here are those contacts:

1. • La Quinta Inn & Suites Pueblo: 866-527-1498 or 719-542-3500
   • SpringHill Suites Pueblo Downtown: 719-546-1234

• We are currently working on plans to provide a virtual alternative to the Spring Workshops.  Right now all library staff are busy with local responses to COVID-19.  Any virtual workshop will be planned for late spring or early summer.  Not to worry – we’ll keep you up to date on new plans.

Our decision was easy, because it was NOT based on emotion, and certainly NOT in reaction to the recent deluge of media reports, announcements of closures, and event cancellations from businesses, sports leagues and entertainment industries.

Primary factors behind our decision:

We’re informed by FACTS, along with scientific and medical information from the CDC & NIOSH, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Tri-County Health Department (Adams, Arapahoe & Douglas Counties).

When a credentialed and experienced infectious disease expert, epidemiologist, or other scientific specialist or public health official knowledgeable about this topic speaks, we listen. As seen through the eyes of these credible sources, there are two fundamental facts about viral outbreaks of this nature:

• There is a clear mandate for all of us to slow the onset of a virus like COVID-19, systemically.
• Organizations like CLiC are responsible for eliminating opportunities for a virus like COVID-19 to spread rapidly through our communities. We take that responsibility seriously.

An additional factor: in monitoring communications among Colorado libraries, we see an emerging trend – library staff members are simply focused on taking care of local affairs, trying to figure out what the “new normal” will look like, and how to best serve their communities right now.

Now, to address key questions you likely have:

Do I need to do anything about requesting a refund for my previously-paid registration?

Nope, we have you covered, and CLiC will be issuing those refunds as a routine matter. We’ll contact you individually if necessary.

Has CLiC considered alternatives, like a virtual conference?

Definitely. We’ve already laid the groundwork for what that virtual experience would look like, and planning the logistics. Presenters: stay tuned. While we don’t think it’s feasible to offer the exact equivalent of a multi-track, multi-session, in-person conference like a Spring Workshop, we do believe online versions can still be jam-packed with quality content.  You’ll hear more on this in a few weeks after we firm up plans.

Is CLiC shutting down courier services?

No, that’s a local library-by-library decision. And there’s so much more to unpack in that question. Please rest assured that our organization has been communicating directly with ILL staff, directors, library leaders and others concerned about our state’s resource-sharing infrastructure. To see the latest on this, visit our Library Closures Update & Courier Services page.

MARCH 12, 2020

As we’ve communicated previously, CLiC’s approach to COVID-19 is all about planning, pragmatic action and no hysteria.

We’ve made the decision to cancel Spring Workshops in Grand Junction (March 19-20) and Fort Morgan (March 27). As of today, the Pueblo workshop is still scheduled, but we’ll continue to monitor this evolving situation. More about the factors for our decision to cancel the first two workshops can be found further down in this message.

We’re communicating to you within hours of our decision so that you can do your part.

1. If you reserved lodging in Grand Junction, we advise you to cancel immediately, before any penalty is assessed. If you reserved through discounted room blocks at either of the two hotels identified by CLiC, here are those contacts:
   • Hampton Inn Grand Junction: 970-243-3222
   • SpringHill Suites Grand Junction: 970-424-5777
2. Since you already committed to attending and/or presenting, consider holding these dates open in your schedule…because CLiC is already planning virtual/online conferences to replace these two in-person events. These would be held on the same dates as the in-person conferences: March 19-20 and March 27. More details to come soon.

Our decision was easy, because it was NOT based on emotion, and certainly NOT in reaction to the recent deluge of media reports, announcements of closures, and event cancellations from businesses, sports leagues and entertainment industries.

Primary factors behind our decision:

We’re informed by FACTS, along with scientific and medical information from the CDC & NIOSH, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Tri-County Health Department (Adams, Arapahoe & Douglas Counties).

When a credentialed and experienced infectious disease expert, epidemiologist, or other scientific specialist or public health official knowledgeable about this topic speaks, we listen. As seen through the eyes of these credible sources, there are two fundamental facts about viral outbreaks of this nature:

• There is a clear mandate for all of us to slow the onset of a virus like COVID-19, systemically.
• Organizations like CLiC are responsible for eliminating opportunities for a virus like COVID-19 to spread rapidly through our communities. We take that responsibility seriously.

An additional factor: in monitoring communications among Colorado library leaders and various public employers, we see an emerging trend — toward barring unnecessary business travel by employees. If the organizations that employ our valued workshop presenters mandate such travel restrictions, that will have an impact. We believe it is prudent to stay ahead of the curve.

Now, to address key questions you likely have:

Do I need to do anything about requesting a refund for my previously-paid registration?
Nope, we have you covered, and CLiC will be issuing those refunds as a routine matter. We’ll contact you individually if necessary.

Has CLiC considered alternatives, like a virtual conference?
Definitely. We’ve already laid the groundwork for what that virtual experience would look like, and planning the logistics. Presenters: stay tuned. While we don’t think it’s feasible to offer the exact equivalent of a multi-track, multi-session, in-person conference like a Spring Workshop, we do believe online versions can still be jam-packed with quality content.

Is CLiC shutting down courier services?
That’s off topic. And there’s so much to unpack in that question. Please know that our organization has been planning and taking pragmatic action with no hysteria on ALL of our service fronts… from courier to AspenCat, from Colleague on Call to cooperative purchasing, and beyond.

MARCH 10, 2020

Everywhere you turn there’s news of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that has made its way into Colorado. Inevitably, whether you’re a scheduled presenter or registered attendee, you’ve no doubt wondered, “What’s happening with the CLiC Spring Workshops?”

Here’s the latest.

We’ve been watching this evolving situation for months, staying abreast of the latest credible information published by a variety of sources. So we’re NOT scrambling. Our mantra: Planning, Pragmatic Action, NO Hysteria.

As of March 10, the Spring Workshops are still rolling. With these caveats:

1. We strongly suggest that any individual who is sick, or has contact with someone else is sick, should NOT attend. This applies to presenters and attendees equally.
2. Any individual who is concerned about attending, for any reason, should feel free to make that personal decision – with no judgment and no penalty from CLiC.
3. Registration will be fully refunded by CLiC to any person who has already paid, no questions asked.

We simply ask that individuals communicate. If you’re registered to present or attend, and decide not to, please send email to clichelp@clicweb.org or use our online form.

Now, to address key questions you likely have:

Is CLiC staying the course no matter what?
No, that would be stupid. We’re actively monitoring this evolving situation, AND we are in communication with the venues where spring workshops are hosted. For instance, if Colorado Mesa University were to close its venue, that would be a determining factor involving the Grand Junction event.

But what about protecting those with underlying health conditions? Isn’t CLiC endangering them?
Please refer to caveats 1, 2 & 3 above.

Has CLiC considered alternatives, like a virtual conference?
Absolutely. In fact we’ve already laid the groundwork for what that virtual experience would look like, how we would pivot and potentially deliver a modified version of a spring workshop through our online platform.

Is CLiC shutting down courier services?
Uh, that’s off topic. But again, know that our organization has been planning and taking pragmatic action with no hysteria on ALL of our service fronts… from courier to AspenCat, from Colleague on Call to cooperative purchasing, and beyond.