Library Lovers discussion
Let's chat!
message 151:
by
Fishface
(last edited Jul 02, 2020 07:07AM)
(new)
Jul 01, 2020 04:46AM
I'm seeing cars parked outside the library again but there are signs up saying CURBSIDE SERVICE. This library simply shut down for months with nothing going on that wasn't online, and a lot of that was shut down too, for instance inter-library loans. So I wonder whose cars these are. I don't picture that many staff ppl being needed when there is nobody else allowed in the building.
reply
|
flag
Mod
I work at the library and there is still a lot of work going on. We are still getting deliveries of books etc. that need to be processed. We have people checking out the books and doing returns. Reference/children's staff is doing planning for the re-open.
Three large library systems in Oklahoma are staying in Phase 2 of re-opening and seem to have changed some of the details to make things safer for everyone. Phase 3, scheduled for July 6, cancelled or delayed until further notice. Tulsa Library System, like Pioneer, has removed Phase 3 announcements.
Metropolitan Library System: Staff member at Bethany Library tested positive for COVID-19. Employee who tested positive was wearing a mask while at work and was not present at any time in the part of the library being used as polling place on June 30. Library closed immediately for professional deep cleaning and will reopen when they believe it is safe to do so and staffing level permits. All staff members who may have been exposed will quarantine for 14 days.
Some of us thought they were going to Phase 3 too fast and that some Phase 2 elements were questionable. Announcing they were following community leaders' guidelines perturbed me. I'd rather they follow guidelines of medical professionals with experience in the field of epidemiology.
At my Library in New Jersey this is what we are doing. Even tho the Governor said that we can open our Libraries have quite a lot of work to do before any patron will be able to enter the building. At the moment where I work we are taking holds/requests for books that are in our Library but can not get books from other libraries as yet since that service is not possible at this time. So we have curbside pick up and we are working 1/2 days with two shifts. We have not gotten any of the plastic guards we need for between the computers and the front desk as yet, but ordered. We do a lot of online programs for children and adults with a long list of what is available on our website. Half the staff is doing this from home using ZOOM. And we have heard positive words from our patrons but they so wish they could come back into the building, and we do miss them. So it will be quite a while before that will be able to happen but we are looking forward to the day we can see our patrons again.
Mod
Our library is also doing a lot of programs using Zoom. We are also opening up on Monday. We were supposed to open this last week but we didn't have all of our plexiglass shields due to a shortage. Patrons will be able to come in and pick up their holds and go into the stacks and pick out items. You can also use the computer but only if you sign up and only for 30 minutes. All other patron tables and chairs have been removed.
Fishface wrote: "I'm seeing cars parked outside the library again but there are signs up saying CURBSIDE SERVICE. This library simply shut down for months with nothing going on that wasn't online, and a lot of that..."My library's WiFi was available FREE to anyone sitting in their cars in the parking lot. So there were cars in the lot even when curbside service wasn't available.
Also people who came in to clean, or put up plexiglass protectors, or move the furniture into storage.
They were reopening inter-library loans but shut them down again when when I turned my back on them for 5 minutes.
Mod
Lady ♥ Belleza wrote: "I actually haven't checked to see if NYC libraries are opening. I rarely go to the library, mostly download ebooks."From what I read NYC libraries will have Grab-and-Go service at some branches starting mid July. Those with hold ready to pick up can come in and pick up wearing mask, maintaining social distance and number of people in building limit.
"Throughout the pandemic, the Tulsa City-County Library has relied on data from the Tulsa Health Department to make decisions....library’s indoor services were moved outdoors, to curbside....In light of the increasing COVID cases, we’re delaying our indoor services until further notice...."Hurrah for Tulsa!
I've seen too many reports of open building library staff with Covid-19. One is too many but I've read about five or six this month. Response seems to lean toward closing building for cleaning then re-opening with same or only slightly stricter social-distancing rules in place. Some of the rules make little or no sense when it comes to protecting staff or patrons, such as requiring adults to wear masks but children under 9 are exempt.
I'm seeing more reports of libraries again closing buildings to the public while still providing services in a variety of ways including curbside service, purchasing more e-books, enhancing phone and online services and more. Oklahoma Metro and Tulsa systems are doing this.Pioneer Library System in Oklahoma has open physical location policy stating there are "multiple guidelines in place for the safety of customers and staff." In addition to extra cleaning, facial coverings are encouraged. Some branches are located in cities requiring masks. I keep thinking they will roll back to earlier closed to the public building policy but so far that hasn't happened.
Adult e books
In the last 30 days Pioneer has added 384 adult e-books
In the last *14 days Metro has added 618 adult e-books
*used 14 days instead of 30 because 30 reached the max display of 1000 so didn't know actual number
Adult e Audio
in the last 30 days Pioneer has added 217
in the last 30 days Metro has added 673
My library has opened to the public but only 25 people at a time can enter. You must make an appointment to use the computer and only 1/2 are available so we can social distance. We have those plastic dividers between the computers and they are marked as to which ones you can use (we put the computer on for the patron to use) and of course you must wear a mask. We have curbside pickup which seems to be going very well. If you want to read magazines you must check them out and take them home and our newspapers are not available as yet. If someone needs a card we can process that with no problem. We don't take cash but put a charge on the persons account so they can pay with a credit card. We have been backdating all returns since we can't tell if the book was out in March or before so no fines as of now. Children are not allowed without a parent with them to pick out books but we also have crafts to give out for summer, and summer reading is register/check in on line.
Mod
Julie wrote: "At the library I work at -we are now open to the public from 10-6 M-Sat. No newspapers either. No chairs. You can browse the shelfs and take out magazines, DVDs, books, CDs etc. If you want to use ..."We are open from 10:30 - 6 and 9:30 to 5 on Sat. No Sunday. And all our table and chair are to the side so you can't use them. Books coming back are in quarantine for 72 hours.
HAPPY NATIONAL BOOK LOVERS' DAY 2020
Mod
Isn't that everyday?
Julie wrote: "Fishface wrote: "HAPPY NATIONAL BOOK LOVERS' DAY 2020"Isn't that everyday?"
Believe it or not, I am the only one in my family (siblings or husband or kids) that is a big-time reader. I doubt most of them have picked up a book since high school.
Julie wrote: "Fishface wrote: "HAPPY NATIONAL BOOK LOVERS' DAY 2020"Isn't that everyday?"
Every day with a book is a happy day!
Julie wrote: "Fishface wrote: "HAPPY NATIONAL BOOK LOVERS' DAY 2020"Isn't that everyday?"
I work in a Library how cool is that.
Mod
So it's YOUR FAULT!
Lady ♥ Belleza wrote: "Fishface wrote: "They were reopening inter-library loans but shut them down again when when I turned my back on them for 5 minutes."So it's YOUR FAULT!"
Many libraries are not currently participating in ILL due to Covid-19 but the developing United States Postal Service situation may be a bigger problem.
Libraries may limit their participation in ILL rather than risk the loss, whether temporary or permanent, of materials especially in the case of items where there are limited copies or where the item is expensive. Lending libraries risk the item when sending it and borrowing libraries risk the item when returning it. Parcels sitting in postal facilities waiting for who knows how long to be delivered... not a good situation.
I wouldn't count on ILL getting back to what we've been accustomed to anytime in the near future.
edited for clarity
Mod
Lady ♥ Belleza wrote: "You do realize I was joking?"Yes, I knew you were joking. I just know what it's like to be dependent on ILL.
The current ILL situation saddens me. I'd moved back to Oklahoma from Texas when the Texas legislature defunded ILL for Texas but I heard about it from friends who still lived there. Some of them were still in college or had jobs where they needed ILL books. Texas legislators soon found out their decision was unpopular and potentially more expensive than continuing to fund ILL.
L J wrote: "Lady ♥ Belleza wrote: "You do realize I was joking?"Yes, I knew you were joking. I just know what it's like to be dependent on ILL.
The current ILL situation saddens me. I'd moved back to Oklaho..."
I imagine that the legislature doesn't read books so they see no need to fund ILL. Very shortsighted.
Charlene wrote: "L J wrote: "Lady ♥ Belleza wrote: "You do realize I was joking?"Yes, I knew you were joking. I just know what it's like to be dependent on ILL.
The current ILL situation saddens me. I'd moved ba...
I imagine that the legislature doesn't read books so they see no need to fund ILL. Very shortsighted. "
Hah! You have a point.
I may have been giving them too much credit thinking they just didn't understand ILL.
This happened years ago and they soon changed it. That might not be the case today.
In Oklahoma as of this month, September, buildings of three major library systems are open, at least in a some ways, to the the public. Whether it is called grab and go, express service, or limited services it means the public can enter the buildings to do some things. They must wear masks and there are time, number and other limits but they can come in.Those I know who are older are opting not to enter, either using the still available curbside service or limiting themselves to e items.
In my Library in NJ we have some computers open for use for 1 hour. We have someone do Notary but you need to make an appointment ahead of time. Also you can come in and browse the shelves for 45 minutes. We still have curbside service which everyone seems to be very happy with. Instead of relining on the e-mail people get when their books are ready we now call. We must limit how many people are in the building but so far we have not had a problem with that. Seems to be working out well for everyone.
Mod
The only thing that makes me a little crazy is when people are coming into the library they ring the door bell (hate the sound of that doorbell) and we need to get up from the desk, walk around the counters and get to the door. By the time we do that they have rung the bell again and maybe again. I don't think they realize it just takes a little time to get to the door. And of course as soon as you sit down the doorbell rings AGAIN. LOL!
Charlene wrote: "The only thing that makes me a little crazy is when people are coming into the library they ring the door bell (hate the sound of that doorbell) and we need to get up from the desk, walk around the..."On the positive side, you are getting exercise.
The staff at the local library tracked miles walked at work a year or so ago. They chose a place to go a state or two away but reached it so quickly they added more destinations. In the staff area they posted miles walked and a picture of each destination when reached.
I put things on hold and go inside to pick them up. We have self checkout so sometimes I don't talk to anyone. I'm usually not one to just browse the shelves anyway but I do miss taking my grandson in and letting him hang out
Julie wrote: "Happy Thanksgiving everyone!"Thank you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hope everyone enjoyed their Turkey Day! Hubby and I stayed home with a takeout meal provided by a local deli/market. Absolutely delicious ... and enough for leftovers on Friday! I made the dessert myself, one of my mother's traditional recipes. Now I've got to get some Christmas presents wrapped and shipped out.
Mod
In deference to my chicken loving house cat I did what we always called pot roasted chicken with extra potatoes and no onions. Whole chicken and veg all cooked in one pot, though now I use a crock pot. Enough leftovers that today I'm making quick version of Chicken Alfredo.
Well I roasted a chicken, had sweet potatoes, stuffing and green beans. Finished eating and forgot the cranberry sauce. LOL! Well I'll have leftovers for a few days and will open the cranberry sauce this time.
Mod
Julie wrote: "Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate! Have a great day!"Thank you.
"Happy Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!"
Article on Dale Carnegie's relationship with your local library:https://getpocket.com/explore/item/wh...
Fishface wrote: "Article on Dale Carnegie's relationship with your local library:https://getpocket.com/explore/item/wh......"
Interesting. Thanks for posting.
Fishface wrote: "Article on Dale Carnegie's relationship with your local library:https://getpocket.com/explore/item/wh......"
Thanks for sharing.
Mod
Julie wrote: "We need to start a 2021 category for books read!"Hear here!
Fishface wrote: "Julie wrote: "We need to start a 2021 category for books read!"Hear here!"
Mod who usually starts yearly category was last active on Goodreads August 2020.
Mod
L J wrote: "Fishface wrote: "Julie wrote: "We need to start a 2021 category for books read!"Hear here!"
Mod who usually starts yearly category was last active on Goodreads August 2020."
Hope she's ok.
L J wrote: "Fishface wrote: "Julie wrote: "We need to start a 2021 category for books read!"Hear here!"
Mod who usually starts yearly category was last active on Goodreads August 2020."
I just looked at her profile and it says she was last active in December 2020. So even if it was December 1st that's only a month and a half...but 🤔
Fishface wrote: "L J wrote: "Fishface wrote: "Julie wrote: "We need to start a 2021 category for books read!"Hear here!"
Mod who usually starts yearly category was last active on Goodreads August 2020."
I just ..."
You're right.
mea culpa
Seems I checked one mod profile for active on Goodreads and it showed August. Then checked the other for comments in group and it showed last comment was in August. Don't know what I was thinking. Should have checked both profiles for both.
I, too, hope Belleza is okay. I know she lives in NYC.
Library Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
Bag Man (other topics)The Abortion (other topics)
The Abortion (other topics)
The Abortion (other topics)
The Fly and Other Horror Stories (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
John Escott (other topics)Alison Bechdel (other topics)
Harlan Ellison (other topics)
Harlan Ellison (other topics)
Tomi Adeyemi (other topics)
More...
