Des Plaines Public Library Shares Reopening Plans, Guidelines

Press release from the Des Plaines Public Library:

July 7, 2020

Welcome back everyone!

DPPL's lobby is now OPEN for self-service holds pickup, contactless self-checkout, copying, account assistance and more. All floors will reopen on Monday, July 20th, with all of our physical collections available for browsing and lending, and most of our services in operation.

To keep our community safe, we are following Phase Four guidelines by limiting occupancy and observing strict social distancing.

Please review the following information, as we hope it will answer your questions. Answers to additional FAQs can be found here.

If you want to know more, or have feedback for us, please email help@dppl.org or call the library at 847-827-5551.

contact us:

Patron Accounts and Holds: 847-876-2788 (First Floor)

Children's Materials: 847-376-2839 (Second Floor)

Adult Fiction, Music and Movies: 847-376-2840

Adult Reference and Technology: 847-376-2841

Library hours:

10 to 7 Monday through Friday

10 to 4 Saturday

1 to 4 Sunday

These guidelines are current as of July 13th and may change as we increase our service levels.

Entering the library building:

• You MUST wear a mask or face covering everywhere in the library, and maintain social distancing - please stay six feet from other people.
• You ENTER the building from the West Community Hallway (near the garage) and EXIT from the North double sliding doors (on the plaza).
• Please bring your library card - you can also put the card number on your phone.
• Hand sanitizer is widely available and we encourage to use it when you enter and when you leave.
• If you don't feel well, please stay home!

using the library safely:

• Computers are available ONLY BY APPOINTMENT. Please call 847-376-2841 to schedule a time. You must have a Des Plaines Library card to book a computer at this time.
• The bathrooms are open, but the drinking fountains are not available.
• Study rooms and other long-term seating is not available.
• Some equipment, such as the Youth Services iPads, has been removed from the floor.

help keep everyone healthy:

• Bathrooms are available on the first, second, and fourth floors. Wash your hands regularly!
• Return your items in the garage book drops. They are open 24/7.
• Be aware and courteous of others browsing popular collections such as New Books and New Movies.

What we are doing to keep you safe:

• We are regularly and frequently cleaning repeatedly touched surfaces, such as the self-checks, door handles, elevator buttons, stair rails, and service desks.
• We are quarantining all returns for three days.
• We have hand sanitizer and wipes throughout the building.
• We are screening staff daily for COVID-19 symptoms. Additionally, we are alternating staff in service teams wherever possible to avoid long periods of contact.

This press release was produced by the Des Plaines Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.