“When will you let people in?” At the libraries, we hear this question a lot. While we don’t yet have a definitive answer, let’s peek behind the curtain at the process for making reopening decisions during a pandemic.
First, the Library Director (that’s me) formulates a skeleton plan for the next phase(s) using data from a variety of sources. I examine local demands for library services, prioritizing them according to most urgent needs and evaluating alternatives. Then I focus on safety: state requirements, Health Department and CDC guidelines, and Botetourt County internal policies. I also consult with other library directors across the region, state and nation about their experiences and ideas. Since pandemic conditions and decisions are highly localized, I track the local COVID situation, including positive case counts, trends, hospital capacity, citizens’ adherence (or not) to safety recommendations, etc.
Next, I solicit input from managers and staff on the plan’s details, aligning their suggestions with safety requirements. We test our plan through various scenarios, and staff goes through intensive training for new procedures, software and expectations. We also work with other county departments to provide shields, sanitizing supplies, barriers, software and more that provides safe ways to provide services.
Once library staff agrees on a recommended plan, that plan goes through three stages of approvals: the county COVID-19 team, county administration and the Library Board of Trustees. The COVID team focuses on adherence to safety guidelines, testing the plan under multiple possible scenarios. The county administration looks at the COVID team’s recommendations and consults external advisors, including the Health Department director. While each department formulates a unique plan to fit its situation, the administration also checks for consistent safety standards across county departments. Finally, the Library Board of Trustees analyzes the plan for overall fit and safety of both employees and the public. All three groups must approve the plan. Nothing is easy in a pandemic!
We have some good news: our next “select in-building services by appointment” plan has been approved by all three groups. It means a very different experience for patrons, but it expands the options available for students, remote workers and business owners who need access to technology or work spaces.
The next task is to find a start date. We don’t have a date for this next phase yet, although for a while, it felt like it was just around the corner! Unfortunately, just as we were preparing to hit “go,” local positive case and hospitalization counts again rose to an unsafe level. We’re collaborating with internal and external consultants to determine when it will be safe to let people into Botetourt libraries, and what alternatives we have.
In the meantime, we’ve been pleased to find that we’re able to meet nearly every need through our curbside services. Sometimes we have to conjure creative workarounds, but we can get it done. Tell us what you want – you might be pleasantly surprised by how much you can do outside our buildings!
– Julie Phillips,
Library Director
