April 26, 2020 (Helena, MT)—While the Governor’s reopening recommendations lift the Stay-at-Home order for many members of our community, your Lewis & Clark Library will remain closed to patrons until further notice. The Library made this decision to ensure the safety of staff and patrons, and to give Library staff time to prepare procedures for a return to services. Director John Finn explained that the Leadership Team has been discussing what services can be offered safely and on what time frame, “the most important thing to consider is the health and safety of our staff and our patrons, and that is forefront in our discussions.”
Finn explains that the Leadership Team is being mindful of the CDC recommendations on social distancing and how they pertain to library usage. “Given the number of people we serve and the number of items handled at all of the branches, we have to be mindful of safety during this very unique and challenging time.” Based on these variables, the Library and Library branches will not resume regular hours or programming at this time, but we will begin to phase in non-contact holds pickup very soon. Bookmobile stops are being suspended until further notice
On May 11th, the Library will begin the process of offering curb-side holds pick up at the Augusta, East Helena, Lincoln and Capitol branches. Staff will contact patrons who have holds and schedule a pick up time. We will adhere to recommended procedures for social distancing and the cleaning and quarantining of items.
“We know that patrons are anxious to get back into the library, and we are anxious to see them, but we need to be thoughtful and cautious in the process.” Finn says that between the construction logistics and safety concerns for staff and patrons, the Library cannot rush the reopening of services. At a later date, when it is safe to do so under CDC guidelines, all branch libraries will be opened for browsing and limited library use.
Book drops at most locations will be reopened on May 6, so that patrons can begin returning items. Due to construction, there will NOT be a book drop at the Main Branch in downtown Helena. To return books in Helena, please use the book drop at the Capitol Branch or one of our four remote book drops.
Opening the book drops will also follow protocols to ensure staff and patron safety, “we will quarantine all items for 72 hours and then clean the items before making them available for checkout.” Staff will follow strict protocols for handling items to protect themselves and returned items.
The Library will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in our county as well as nationally, as it makes the decisions on when to reopen the library branches in Lewis & Clark County. Finn says, “we will keep everyone updated as to the process and timelines, and we thank everyone for their patience during this trying time. Keeping everyone healthy is the most important thing we can do right now.”
Finn would like to remind everyone that the Library has a host of online services available during this time:
Borrowing, account extensions, and services
· Remember that nothing that you have checked out will accrue fines.
· Library card accounts that were due to expire will be extended.
· Any requested items currently held at a closed library will remain on hold for you until you are contacted by staff to schedule a pick up time.
· You can get digital materials — including eBooks, eMagazines, eAudiobooks, and streaming videos— through our website and corresponding apps for your personal devices. Look for the Libby, OverDrive, Axis360, and Hoopla apps on your device app store; all of them are free. We have also increased the availability of items in digital formats.
· Access educational and informative databases on our website.
· Get questions answered by staff via voicemail Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Holds pickup beginning May 11th will follow this protocol:
· Main Branch holds will be available at the new Capitol Branch location at 1609 11th Avenue. You will be notified by Library staff that you have a hold available, and a pick up time will be scheduled. Patrons who have holds currently waiting for them will be the first to be scheduled.
· Augusta, East Helena, and Lincoln branch holds will follow a similar method. Patrons will be notified of pick-up times and be asked to pick-up their items following no contact instructions.
Finn encourages anyone with questions or concerns to contact him at jfinn@lclibrary.org