In case you've missed it, all our locations have been open since June 29, and we're on our normal hours. The Executive Orders in effect from the Governor require us to be at 25% capacity at this time. At some of our bigger locations, like Coldwater and Bronson, keeping capacity down to within these limits has been pretty easy. At smaller locations, like Algansee, it means that sometimes patrons may need to wait a few moments on the porch for the patrons in front of them to exit before they can enter.
Once you make it to the library, we are open for “grab and go” service. You can get materials like books or movies, you can send a fax, use the WiFi, or use our library computers. Whatever brings to you the library, with our capacity limits and public health concerns in mind, we ask that all patrons limit their time in the building to one hour or less. This is tough for us, too, because libraries have been a sort of community living room for a long time now, but having this limit is the right thing to do at this time so that the maximum number of people can use the library safely.
Speaking of safety, we're doing a lot to keep things as safe as possible for our patrons and staff. For starters, we are requiring a face covering to enter if for those 5 and older who are medically able to do so. There are plexiglass partitions up at all public service points. Our ventilation is set to the highest level in facilities where we can control this, and ceiling fans are on maximum. All commonly used surfaces, like computers, tables, counters, handrails, door handles, etc., are being disinfected every hour, or more, as needed, by your friendly library staff. Trust me, it's service with a smile behind that mask, even if you can't see it!
The federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, along with private sector library groups, has sponsored custom research into how coronavirus behaves on typical library materials in typical library settings. BDL is closely following the experiment results and recommendations for minimizing risk through coronavirus transmitted via touching library materials. At this point we are quarantining library materials for up to 7 days after they've been handled to help lower any potential risk.
To maintain separation between patrons in our buildings, we have reduced the number of chairs, tables, and computers available, and there are tape markings indicating 6-foot distances. We really want to say thanks to all the patrons who are making quick and safe trips to the library and being understanding about the rules and procedures we have to follow right now.
Summertime at libraries are usually very busy, but this year, as you might expect, our numbers were down quite a lot. Year to date, our door count county-wide is down 61% from this point in the year in 2019, thanks to being closed for three months.
There are some positives in the numbers, too, though: the first is that materials checkouts are rapidly increasing, especially with the statewide borrowing network, MeLCat, back in business, and with heavy use from our digital materials offerings, total physical and digital materials usage was back to pre-pandemic levels for the month of August:
The other positive is that program attendance is actually way up year over year. Some of this has been in person: outdoors and socially distanced during the warmer weather. Our Bronson and Union Twp. Branches have the space outside and quiet enough settings that we've had some great outdoor story times for up to 30 kids at a time! And library staff have been absolutely amazing with the wide variety of digital programs we've put up online. You can watch these programs on our web site or on our Facebook page. You'll see a wide variety of programs: from story times for kids and adults, to crafts, to informative presentations and more. BDL staff have put on nearly 300 original programs since April, in addition to the top-tier programs we've brought in from outside the library, like the Boogie Woogie Kid, and Holocaust survivor Irene Butter. Public engagement with these programs has been phenomenal, pushing our program attendance, virtual or not, significantly higher than in past years.
Starting this month, we've begun to package “grab and go” craft kits for all ages that you can come pick up at your library branch and take home with you. The Coldwater Branch also has “grab and go” binge boxes, where you can come in and quickly get a package of pre-selected similar movies to have a themed movie marathon at home.
The above strategies of “grab and go” and reduced capacity will be BDL's mode of operation for the foreseeable future, until the State of Michigan moves our local region into Phase 5 of the MI Safe Start Plan. But I'm heartened at how both our patrons and our staff seem to have found a good balance between having us provide as much of our normal service as we're able to while keeping our operations as safe as possible for everyone involved.
We look forward to seeing you—briefly—back in the library. Stay well and stay safe! And let us know how you think we're doing!
