Homer Library Opening To Public Saturday

HOMER GLEN, IL — The Homer Township Public Library will open to the public for walk-in visits at 10 a.m. Saturday, Library Director Sheree Kozel-La Ha told Patch.

"We are excited to see customers in-person," Kozel-La Ha said, adding that curbside pick-up services will still continue.

The announcement of the opening comes after Patch posted earlier Monday how the Homer Township Public Library remained closed, despite many other area libraries opening for public browsing several weeks ago.

Patch had emailed Kozel-La Ha last week asking why the library remained closed. Kozel-La Ha responded with the same text that is on the library's website:

The Library is open for contactless curbside service of books, materials as well as photocopy, printed document, fax, and newspaper pick-up 7 days a week. To help limit the spread of coronavirus and ensure the health and safety of community members we do not have walk-in visits at this time. The library continues to monitor recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Will County Health Department. We thank you for understanding that our priority and concern is to insure the safety of our customers and staff.

According to the most recently shared board meeting minutes from July 27, the library doesn't have enough personal protective equipment to allow walk-in visitors. Board documents say the library has 10,000 gloves on hand and 10,000 masks on hand, but it does not have enough sanitizer.

Board documents noted that members of staff expressed concern about opening for walk-in visitors. At the July 27 meeting, the board approved continuing curbside pick-up services and virtual programs only. The board also held a special meeting on Aug. 24, but the only item under new business was a public review of the budget.

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