Epidemic Response Policy

Note: This policy was adopted for the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2019-2021. It has been added to the Library’s official policies to act as a starting point for dealing with any potential future epidemics.

This policy covers 4 levels of rising responses in case of an epidemic in order to protect the health of both library staff and the citizens of Geer County. These levels should be treated as a sliding scale moving up or down the scale in response and increase or decrease in cases of infection. Moving up the in level of response should be done easily and rapidly, even skipping over levels if necessary, in order to respond quickly to potential outbreaks. Conversely, moving down the scale should be done gradually and cautiously so as not to reopen too quickly, potentially resulting in a resurgence of infections. We recommend spending at least two weeks at a given level before determining whether the recent number of cases warrant a reduction in response level. Meanwhile, potential increases in the level of response should be considered on a daily bases.

Level 0

Library is operating normally

Level 1

Library is open to the public with light limitations on access and services.

• Staff are to take proper health precautions while working, such as frequent hand washing, disinfecting work areas, and social distancing.
• In order to reduce potential exposure to infection the Library will limit the number of patrons allowed inside to 5 at a time.
• Staff and patrons may be required to submit to symptom screening. Staff that display symptoms will either be sent home to self-quarantine or sent to receive medical testing. Patrons that display symptoms will be asked to leave the library.
• Staff and patrons may be required to wear personal protective equipment while inside the Library.
• The computer area will be limited to 3 patrons at a time with at least two seats between them. Exceptions can be made for patrons of the same household, provided all members sit on the same side of the computer area and utilize adjacent computers. Computers stations much be disinfected after each patron.
• No patron should be allowed to remain inside the library for more than 2 hour at a time. A patron my return for another 2 hours after leaving library property for at least 2 hours. However, patrons that have not yet utilized the library that day will be given preference over returning patrons.
• Returned materials will be quarantined for a period of at least 7 days before being returned to circulation.
• The first hour after opening should be dedicated to patrons who are at increased risk of infection or complications due to infection.
• During this time the library game room shall remain closed.

Level 2

Library is open to the public with stringent limitations on access and services.

• Staff are to take proper health precautions while working, such as frequent hand washing, disinfecting work areas, and social distancing.
• In order to reduce potential exposure to infection the Library will limit the number of patrons allowed inside to 5 at a time. Exceptions can be made for large households so long as the members of said household are the only patrons in the library at the time.
• Staff and patrons may be required to submit to symptom screening. Staff that display symptoms will either be sent home to self-quarantine or sent to receive medical testing. Patrons that display symptoms will be asked to leave the library.
• Staff and patrons may be required to wear personal protective equipment while inside the Library.
• The computer area will be limited to 2 patrons at a time with each sitting on opposite sides of the computer area. Exceptions can be made for patrons of the same household, provided all members sit on the same side of the computer area. Computers stations much be disinfected after each patron.
• No patron should be allowed to remain inside the library for more than 1 hour at a time. A patron may return for another hour after leaving library property for at least 2 hours. However, patrons that have not yet utilized the library that day will be given preference over returning patrons
• Returned materials will be quarantined for a period of at least 7 days before being returned to circulation.
• The first 2 hours after opening should be dedicated to patrons who are at increased risk of infection or complications due to infection.
• Patrons should be encouraged to utilize the library’s online catalog and request materials for checkout out over the phone for curbside pickup.
• Library staff should avoid direct contact with patrons as much as possible. Suggestions to reduce direct contact include Plexiglas shields at the circulation desk,
• During this time the library game room shall remain closed.
• During this time all late fees will be suspended.

Level 3

Library is closed to the public. Staff is working on site.

• Staff are to take proper health precautions while working, such as frequent hand washing, disinfecting work areas, and social distancing. Staff will perform duties such as maintenance, cleaning, inventory, and other non-public facing duties.
• Staff may be required to wear personal protective equipment while at the Library
• Staff may be required to submit to symptom screening, and either sent home to self-quarantine or sent to receive medical testing should they display symptoms.
• At this time the Library will only offer services that can be provided without giving patron access to the building or directly interacting with patrons, such as: Wi-Fi, eBooks and other digital materials, and answering questions by phone.
• During this time all due dates and late fees will be suspended until the library reopens to the public

Level 4

Library is closed to the public. Staff is sheltering at home.

Due to a high rate of infection the City of Mangum has determined that it not safe for staff to be exposed to each other.

• Only a single staff member will be allowed in the library at a time, and only remain in the building long enough to perform any essential duties or to gather materials to work at home.
• Staff are to shelter in their place of residence and not to leave their residence except to perform essential functions as determined by City Leadership.
• The Library Wi-Fi is to be disabled to discourage patrons from congregating around the Library building.
• During this time no location based services will be available to the public.
• During this time all due dates and late fees will be suspended until the library reopens to the public

Proposed and Adopted: May 27, 2020