If you placed a request for the next book in a favorite series, you may soon be able to check it out of the library — from your car.
Crawfordsville District Public Library plans to roll out limited curbside service in the coming weeks, part of a step-by-step process of welcoming patrons back to the library and the Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County after the COVID-19 shutdown. The buildings may reopen in June to limited numbers of patrons, library director Theresa Tyner said.
Curbside service may begin with hold requests and document delivery before expanding to accept returned materials. The library also plans to offer limited computer access for essential tasks.
“We look forward to a time in which we can return to providing full library services,” Tyner said, “but our pathway to this future will be approached with gradual, measured steps so that we may provide library and museum services in a new and safer way to the community.”
The measures include strategically-placed hand sanitizer stations, hands-free restroom door openers, additional distance between computers and clear dividers for public service desks.
Staff will be trained on new policies and procedures set forth to limit the spread of COVID-19. During the stay-at-home order, employees offered virtual programs and encouraged patrons to use online collections. Patrons are being assisted by phone and email.
When the buildings reopen, staff and patrons will be asked to stay home if they are sick, wear a mask, wash or sanitize their hands and practice social distancing, Tyner said.
Access to meeting rooms will also be limited.
Other local libraries are also preparing to reopen.
Darlington Library will resume operations today — with social distancing guidelines in place. Curbside service is available to patrons who call or order from the online catalog.
Materials will also be delivered to the curb in Linden, Ladoga and Waveland until the libraries fully reopen. Once full service resumes, Linden is considering designated hours for seniors and children.
Waveland expects to begin full services May 18, “assuming all goes well with the governor’s plan,” director Rick Payne said.
Though the library was closed, Ladoga patrons could pick up free books at the post office during the stay-at-home order.
“We want everything to be to the greatest extent of safety that we can manage, but we also want you back in our library so we’re going to be working hard behind the scenes trying to get that taken care of,” director Debbie Clapp said in a video posted on the library’s Facebook page.
