February 12, 2021
YVL to Re-Open for Limited In-Person Library Services:
An Update from the Executive Director
On Jan. 29, the State of Washington issued revised guidelines for allowable library services under Phases 1 and 2 of the state’s updated Safe Start plan.
Based on these revisions, Phase 1 guidelines now allow libraries to reopen buildings to the public, at 25 percent capacity, for limited in-person library services.
As such, and after careful consideration, it has been determined that all Yakima Valley Libraries locations will re-open to the public for limited in-person services beginning the week of March 1.
The Library’s administration team has worked closely with managers to establish a plan for re-opening that adheres to all state-required COVID-19 health and safety measures, including exposure control, mitigation, and recovery planning.
For an overview of the requirements to which the Library must adhere, please see: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/COVID19%20Library%20Guidance.pdf
In addition, community library open hours and staffing have been closely evaluated in order to ensure that we are able to safely and effectively provide in-person library services while also maintaining social distancing measures, and procedures for quarantining returned library materials.
While there are still some details that need to be finalized, once buildings re-open for in-person services, patrons can expect the following:
BUILDING ACCESS
- In-person library visits will be limited to 30 minutes per person, per day
- Building access will be limited to 25 percent, or less, of maximum occupancy
- Because building access will be metered, staff will monitor the number of patrons in the building and may need to ask patrons to wait for others to leave before they can be allowed inside
FACE COVERINGS & SOCIAL DISTANCING
- With the exception of children under 5 years old, all patrons and staff must wear a face covering at all times while inside library premises
- Patrons over 5 years old who are unable to wear a face covering will be encouraged to utilize the Library’s Contact-Free Holds Pick Up service
- Staff and patrons should maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others while inside library facilities
PUBLIC COMPUTER ACCESS
- A limited number of public computers will be available for public use, with sessions limited to 30 minutes per day
- Library staff will be unable to provide any computer assistance that requires contact within 6 feet or less
CONTACT-FREE PICK UP & BOOK RETURNS
- Contact-Free Holds Pick Up service will continue at all community libraries, with modified hours in some locations once in-person services resume
- Patrons are encouraged to return ALL library materials using book returns
OTHER HEALTH & SAFETY PROCEDURES
- Library staff will sanitize public computers after each use
- Library staff will sanitize self-checkout machines and other high-touch surfaces on a regular basis
- All returned materials will be quarantined for 48 hours before again being available for checkout.
PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES
- Interlibrary loan requests will not resume at this time
- In-person library programming will not resume at this time
A formal press release will be issued prior to our planned re-opening date, at which time the Library website will be updated with relevant re-opening information, including building open hours and revised Contact-Free Pick Up hours. In the meantime, please direct any questions to your preferred community library, or utilize our online contact form (www.yvl.org/contact/).
Sincerely,
Kim Hixson
Executive Director