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.

Statewide Library Courier Services Suspended Until Further Notice

LATEST UPDATE: APRIL 27, 2020

The list of libraries closed is no longer accurate nor relevant. This list represented closures as those were happening and were reported to CLiC. The courier “restart” process will look different. Stay attuned to email for communications from CLiC about restoration of services.


MARCH 26, 2020

CLiC’s mission: Connecting. Energizing. Inspiring. Services for libraries throughout Colorado.

This informs everything we do, along with our other beliefs such as the importance of supporting local decision making by every library in Colorado. But these are unprecedented times.

CLiC has made the decision to suspend statewide library courier service effective March 26, 2020 until further notice. This decision was not made lightly. We believe that right now our priority is to do our part to support the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s “Stay at Home” public health order for the entire state.

For the past two weeks, our Courier Support Team has been in constant communication with colleagues at Western Peaks Logistics, and both of our organizations have made every effort to continue providing delivery services to libraries where desired or possible. We have also heard details from Western Peaks concerning the impact the COVID-19 situation is having on the delivery needs of essential services such as hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. Western Peaks Logistics needs to focus on its role in the supply chain, supporting such critical services.

Libraries are in the business of enriching lives, and it is a worthy endeavor to help people and communities meet local needs and exceed aspirations. Statewide resource sharing is a crucial aspect of the infrastructure we ALL provide to our communities, and at some point in the future this activity will return to normal.

However, we must all recognize the realities of today, that life-saving services within our communities are what come first. Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and other health-related, front-line services need to be able to rely on local and regional transportation infrastructure & systems to deliver the products and resources necessary to care for the people in all of our communities.

CLiC is doing its part. We encourage your organizations to do the same.

Be well,
Jim Duncan | Executive Director
and the rest of the CLiC team

 


PREVIOUS to March 26–

Early on March 13, 2020 CLiC began to receive a smattering of calls and emails notifying us of school & library closures AND asking us to suspend courier service. CLiC immediately sent a broadcast message to every individual listed in our courier management system database, outlining the process for contacting us.

Below is a list of closures reported to CLiC as of Thursday 3/26/2020, 2:45 PM. There will be no more updates to this list for the foreseeable future.

Here is the spot where CLiC previously published a listing of libraries, schools and academic institutions asking for their courier service to be suspended, as the public health crisis escalated into late March. CLiC has since removed that table. For the latest on any COVID-19 related actions, please visit: CLiC’s COVID-19 Page.