Columbus libraries will begin reopening in June. Here are the details visitors need to know
The Chattahoochee Valley Libraries has taken another step toward fully reopening after restrictions to lessen the spread of the coronavirus pandemic have been relaxed in Georgia.
During its meeting Tuesday, conducted via video conference, the Muscogee County Library Board unanimously approved the rest of the phased plan recommended by director Alan Harkness.
The plan envisions a return to normal operations by September.
On April 24, the board approved Phase 1 of the reopening. That’s curbside service, which started May 18 at the Columbus Public Library and expanded to the six branches May 26. The buildings remain closed to customers. Returned items are quarantined for four days before staff handles them.
Tuesday, the board approved the final three phases.
In Phase 2A, from June 29 through July 10, the libraries will continue curbside service and open their building to customers for only limited computer use in the adult section, not in the children or teen departments.
The number of customers allowed to enter will be based on the building’s size and the state’s COVID-19 occupancy guidelines. They must follow these rules:
- Computers will be at least 6 feet apart. For example, the Columbus Public Library will allow 17 of its 49 computers in the adult section to be used at a time.
- Sessions will be limited to a maximum of 1 hour.
- Staff will disinfect the computer equipment and furniture after each session. They must wait at least 4 minutes between sessions for the equipment and furniture to air dry before allowing another customer to use the computer.
- Chairs in the computer waiting area must be at least 6 feet apart.
- To reduce opportunities for spreading the virus through cash transactions, black-and-white printing of 10 or fewer pages will be free.
- Masks must be worn in the computer area. Masks will be provided for customers who don’t have them.
The rest of the building must be roped off as unavailable to customers.
Harkness explained why he recommended allowing customers to use the computers before any other uses of the library buildings.
“So many of the poor and disadvantaged rely on our computers and free internet,” he said. “We just can’t lose sight of balancing the needs of the public with regard to how we phase these services back in.”
In Phase 2B, from July 13-24, the libraries will allow customers to be issued cards, browse the stacks and check out items in the building while adhering to COVID-19 occupancy guidelines. Curbside service will continue as an option for customers. The following rules must be followed:
- Chairs will be removed from all public areas to discourage sitting, except the computer waiting area, where chairs will be at least 6 feet apart.
- Self-checkout stations will be cleaned at regular intervals.
- Buildings and departments will be monitored for crowd limitations, depending on the situation.
In Phase 3A, from Aug. 3-14, customers will be allowed to use study rooms and seating areas will be reopened. Social distancing guidelines will be marked where appropriate. The computer areas in the children and teen departments also will reopen.
In Phase 3B, from Aug. 16-29, limited public programming and limited use of meeting rooms will be added.
In Phase 4, normal operations will be in place, including the book drops and automated 24-hour units. But for the next 3-6 months, the staff will continue quarantining returned items for four days before handling them.
CVL will use criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine whether and when to move to another phase:
- A 14-day decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases in Muscogee County allows the less restrictive next phase to start.
- A 5-day increase in the number of cases triggers returning to a more restrictive phase.
Harkness told the Ledger-Enquirer after the meeting that he will confer with the staff’s leadership and the board to determine what those statistics mean for CVL before moving between phases.
“If it appears to be flat or going down, then we can consider moving forward,” he said. “If it’s not, then we have to consider stepping back. But I don’t have a mathematical formula. It’s about following what the CDC recommends.”
Harkness cited a Georgia Public Library Service survey of its 62 systems, comprising approximately 400 buildings. The survey indicates CVL’s approach is in line with the majority.
As of May 27, about 85% of the libraries had some staff in their building and about 70% had limited service of some kind, while 15% were providing most services with the building open, Harkness said.
“It shows we’re being appropriately cautious,” he said. “We’re trying to protect the public and our staff, but we’re here to serve the public. So trying to figure that out is a hard question. What complicates it further is the varying ways people use us. We’re not like the grocery store; our material comes back.”
This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
