Evergreen Park Library Reopens Monday With Limited Capacity

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — After months of closure because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Evergreen Park Public Library will reopen Monday, July 6, to a limited capacity. Patrons and employees must wear face coverings practice social distancing when using the library. Reservations are not required.

Available services will include walk-through browsing of the collection, computer, fax, copier and scanning. Study rooms for one to two people may also be reserved.

Library capacity will be limited to 40 people, including employees. The library is applying COID-19 retail guidelines, which allow 5 people per 1,000 square feet.

“The building is 23,000 square feet, but the public area is only 10,000 square feet,” library director Nikki Seidel said. “With the amount of space in the public area, we an accommodate 50 people, but with employees, that brings us down to 40.”

The library has moved public computers from an enclosed room the children’s department to allow for social distancing. The children’s department has been temporarily closed but will reopen when school is back in session, but is available to check out children’s materials..

Patrons using the computers will be provided with a fresh mouse. Chairs and work stations will be disinfected after each use. Each computer will also be equipped with a keyboard cover.

When browsing the collections, patrons are asked to place items they touched but do not want to check out into baskets and carts. The materials will be disinfected by library employees and returned to the shelves.

Also, checkout and reference desks will be protected by Plexiglas for employees and patrons’ safety.

Curbside and home delivery continues and programming is still virtual, including the adult and children’s summer reading programs. Library materials for Evergreen Park library cardholders can be reserved online in the SWAN catalog, by phone at 708-422-8522, or by email to order@evergreenparklibrary.org.

The Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S. Troy Ave., will be open for reduced hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. Saturday. From 10 to 11 a.m. daily, the library will be open to seniors and those with compromised immune systems. The library expects to return to full regular hours after Labor Day.