Milanof-Schock Library is taking precautions to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The library has closed until at least Monday, March 30, including severely minimized access to the building for library staff. Disinfecting the building by the methods outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is of utmost importance, which includes all the countertops, tables, chairs, and other hard surfaces. Toys from the Children's Area have also been removed.
Additionally, the library's lending collection is being quarantined. During the closure, items that are returned will be separated from the rest of the collection for at least three days. No one will handle the items during that time. When the library reopens, the community will have a clean, safe space for visits. The library would prefer patrons do not return library materials at this time.
The library has also announced that all current holds on library materials will disappear. As of March 17, the ability to place holds was temporarily suspended, and previously held materials will go into the patron's canceled holds list. Due to technical software restrictions, if any items were on hold, these holds will no longer be honored. To retrieve holds once the library has reopened, requests must be resubmitted either in person at the library or from the online catalog at http://www.mslibrary.org.
Milanof-Schock Library has put measures into place to help library users get through the next few weeks with fewer concerns. Due dates for library books, movies, and audio materials have been extended to Wednesday, April 15. If the library is closed for a longer period of time, that date will change. If a library card was due to expire in the next few months, it will not expire until Tuesday, June 30. If a card has already expired, patrons may submit a request to scraine@mountjoy.lib.pa.us for status review.
Patrons are encouraged to check out the Overdrive service located on the previously mentioned website. This e-service, available for free with a library card, allows patrons to access e-books and audiobooks on tablets, smartphones, e-readers, or computers. The Library System of Lancaster County has expanded this countywide service with over $6,000 of new material in March due to the expected increase in demand.
Several other online resources are also available through the library's website. They include Tumblebooks for children, informational and fun resources, activities with Miss Jan, and foreign language learning resources with Pronunciator using a library card. Additionally, a few STEM challenges are available to try at home through the library's Facebook and Instagram pages.
In addition, Wi-Fi is still free in the parking lot. For patrons not connected on social media, the library is in the process of creating a page on its website so that everyone can access information that is usually posted on social media. For now, readers may visit the Library News tab on the home page. Readers may search for @mountjoylibrary on Facebook and @milanofschocklibrary on Instagram.
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