There has been much discussion about reopening libraries - especially public libraries - as the number of people infected with COVID-19 decreases. For some communities, the library is an important connection to information and resources. For library staff, while they understand their role in their communities, they are very concerned about the health and safety of staff and patrons. There are voices in the library community to keep the libraries closed for as long as possible, in order to ensure the safety of everyone.
In the U.S., it is up to the states - and sometimes regions within a state - to decide what type of institutions can reopen when (if indeed they had closed in the first place). If a public library is deemed essential or can provide services that lessen/eliminate face-to-face contact (e.g., no contact curbside pickup), they may be opening earlier than other institutions (e.g., K-12 school). Library directors should be aware of what their governors, county executives, or mayors are considering. Hopefully, they have been in direct contact and have been able to put forward a plan for their libraries that considers health and safety, as well as library services. There is no one right path forward, so deep thinking and sensitivity to the needs of staff and community members will be needed.
In my class, "The Public Library as Institution," I have taken the opportunity to talk with students about what public libraries may be thinking about, as they plan to reopen. I've encouraged students to think about what library directors are focused on, as well as what staff and the community might want to know about what their public libraries will do. There are SO many questions and not as many clear answers as we all would like.
This week, I read several documents related to how people are thinking about reopening. I believe that looking at what others are planning can be helpful, and that includes any plans from libraries. Those documents are:
This list above may be helpful to you. Are there others? Yes. If you have found one that is particularly helpful, please place it in a comment to this post. Thank you!
Addendum, May 22:
- Information from the NYS Regents Advisory Council on Libraries, May 13, 2020, including plans from several public library systems.
- Albany (NY) Public Library Continuation of Service Plan, updated 5/12/2020.
Earlier this week, NY State Librarian,
Lauren Moore, responded publicly through the NYLINE email list to a question about reopening. Since this was posted on a public email list, I am posting it below (and knowing that this email has already been forward likely many times). Moore recognizes that each library is different and that the State Library cannot provide one-size-fits-all guidance. However, she does outline four things to keep in mind. I've edited lightly to remove some contact information.
Dear [colleague],
Thank
you for the question. My guess is that you meant to send this as a personal
email, but since it’s been shared on NYLINE, I’ll take this opportunity to
address the library community.
State
agencies, including the State Education Department, do not have the authority
to interpret the Governor’s orders or to provide interpretative guidance.
There are some helpful resources available through the Governor’s Office that
can guide libraries’ decision-making, like the
NY
Forward Business Express Lookup Tool, but I acknowledge that the resources
that currently exist don’t address what’s to come. And thus don’t help to
address the seemingly endless uncertainty and anxiety many of us are feeling.
In
the spirit of full transparency, it’s important for me to add that even if the
State Library had the authority to interpret the guidance, I don’t think these
decisions would be best made by fiat of the State Library. New York is a
large and diverse state with a unique range of public libraries. Although
these are “unprecedented times,” we can still look to the trusted institutions
that have always been best-positioned to make local and regional
decisions. In the case of the reintroduction of library services, public
library systems are certainly best positioned to help libraries work together
to make decisions in the best interest of their communities. Public
library systems across the state are developing reopening plans. Systems
are looking at the Governor’s guidance, working with regional Control Rooms to
interpret the guidance for that specific region, and then developing policies
that will allow libraries to keep staff and community members safe as they
reintroduce library services.
Even
though it’s not official guidance, and you’re free to take it or leave it, here
are the values that have been guiding my COVID-19 response work at the State
Library:
- Value staff- Prioritize staff and community safety over
everything else.
- Caution- Take your time. Things change
rapidly. “Abundance of caution” is really just “caution” and is the
best practice during this pandemic.
- Professional respect- Look out for each other.
Recognize the uniqueness of each library and the uniqueness of each
community.
- Service- Do whatever is in the State Library’s power to
help libraries succeed.
Although
we’re not in Albany writing guidance and issuing edicts, State Library staff
are working tirelessly every day to help libraries succeed. This work is
best done on an individual basis, because every situation is unique. I
implore any library who is struggling with a particular decision or navigating
a difficult local situation to contact their regional liaison at the Division
of Library Development or to contact [..] who oversees the public libraries program. State Library staff is committed
to helping you.
I
hope this email helps to explain things a bit, but know that the State Library
is always working on your behalf. Please get in touch any time you have a
question.
All
the best,
Lauren
Lauren
Moore
Assistant Commissioner for Libraries and New York State Librarian
