With precautions in place to ensure the safety of members and staff, the Dauphin County Library System partially opened a few locations on June 5 as part of a phased reopening.
The first libraries scheduled for reopening include East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg; Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library, 2410 N. Third St., Harrisburg; and William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library, 200 W. Second St., Hummelstown. These libraries will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays to Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The East Shore Area Library will also be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. Seniors-only hour will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at all open locations.
In keeping with the precautions called for under Pennsylvania's yellow phase, limited numbers of members at any given time can enter the buildings only to use the computers, which have all been repositioned to ensure social distancing. Members can also order books and other materials online and arrange for curbside pickup.
All visitors must wear masks, noted Karen Cullings, Dauphin County Library System executive director, and masks will be available for people who do not have one.
Cullings said the reopening plan prioritized computer accessibility since, for many members, their library is their only resource for internet services. Free Wi-Fi, available outside at all locations since the lockdown began March 13, will remain accessible.
As conditions allow, additional library locations will partially reopen. All programs will continue to be offered only online through the library system's website and Facebook page, Cullings said.
To ensure everyone's safety, computer use is limited to one hour per session and stations will be thoroughly sanitized after each use. Designated areas, with appropriate social distancing, have been set aside only for laptops provided by libraries for on-site use.
During this limited reopening, members wanting to check out items may request the materials online either through BookAdvisor or the online catalog and choose their preferred open location for curbside pickup. Members without computer access may request materials by calling 717-652-9380.
Once they have been notified their materials are ready, members will have one week to retrieve their selections. All items will be placed in new, clean, recyclable paper bags. A designated parking area will be available. Members should call the number on the sign to have their information verified, and a staff member will bring the items to them while they remain in their cars.
All borrowed materials need to be returned using the outdoor book drops. While Dauphin County is in the yellow phase, staff cannot accept returns at the curb or in buildings, and the libraries are not accepting donated books and other items.
To guard against the coronavirus, the libraries will quarantine all returned materials for 72 hours. In addition to the computer stations between use, staff will clean all publicly accessible areas every two hours. Sneeze guards have been installed at all service points.
Additionally, all staff members are receiving training that covers cleaning and sanitizing procedures, and at the start of each shift they will have their temperature taken and answer health screening questions. Staff will also use gloves when handling items used by the public and when delivering materials for curbside pickup.
For more information, readers may visit http://www.dcls.org.
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