Rensselaerville Library Notes for Thursday, June 4, 2020
On May 25, the Rensselaerville Library Board of Trustees approved a COVID-19 Continuation of Service (COS) Plan in anticipation of the phased-in reopening of the Rensselaerville Library.
The COS Plan consists of multiple levels of library operations and service to our patrons and community. At all times during each level, the fundamental driver for moving forward will be the health and safety of the library staff and members of the public based on Federal, State, and County recommendations and guidelines.
On March 16, we entered Level 1 of the plan, closing the library building while continuing the highest level of library services possible. Those services included enhanced 24/7 wifi access, additional digital content providers and e-content, virtual programming, and expanded community outreach through social media and other digital formats.
As of May 26, we have entered Level 2 of the COS Plan. We are reintroducing staff to the building and orienting them to all-new safety protocols and procedures. The building and the collection are being cleaned and sanitized, and furnishings reorganized to provide for safe physical distancing.
On June 9, the library will enter Level 3 of the COS Plan during which time we will begin providing “Front Porch Services.” The staff will be onsite Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to fill online, email, and phone orders for library materials and accept drop-off items for check-in. More details about Front Porch Services will be provided on our website and via social media and other digital outlets soon.
Level 3 will remain in effect until we determine it is safe to advance to Level 4 when slightly expanded library services will be available by appointment only.
Each successive level will expand both hours of operations and library services until we reach Post-Pandemic Level 7. The plan is gradual and flexible, allowing us to move forward, or backward, through the plan as health and safety guidelines dictate. The plan may be amended as needed, but any changes will first and foremost be guided by the health and safety needs of our staff, patrons, and community. During all levels, masks will be required on the library premises until determined otherwise by the library based on federal, state and county health and safety guidelines.
Hard copies of the full plan are available in the enclosed bulletin board on the front porch of the library. It can also be downloaded at our website at www.rensselaervillelibrary.org. Any questions should be directed to Heidi Carle, Library Director, by email at director@rensselaervillelibrary.org.