When will Greenburgh Library open? A message from the Library Director
Greenburgh Library is under the oversight of the Greenburgh Library Board. They are being very careful in light of COVID-19. Your health and safety is important to everyone in town government. PAUL FEINER
Over the next three weeks we are waiting to see if the infection rate remains under 1%in NYS and observing the best practices of other libraries that are opening on a limited basis this month (there are 11 of the 38 libraries currently experimenting with limited access opening). We have a very robust online presence and have not seen enough upside against risk of infection for letting patrons in for ½ hour browse periods (all libraries are limiting patron visit times). The library board has urged patience and caution at this time.
Here is an excerpt regarding re-opening the library from the library newsletter for this month:
While most Westchester libraries, including GPL, are providing some kind of contactless pickup service, a handful have actually opened their doors to patrons for limited access to browse the library’s collection. No two libraries are taking the same approach to limited re-opening as each library building has constraints that determine how best to maintain social distancing protocols and a safe environment for staff and library patrons. For example, there are limits on the number of patrons that can enter (from 10 to 25 in most libraries) and how long they can stay (30 minute maximum seems common). Chairs and tables have been removed and most of the library remains closed to the public. The idea is to provide an opportunity for browsing new books and DVDs but not an opportunity to remain for an extended period of time. Few libraries are providing public internet terminals, though all still have wi-fi available.
At Greenburgh, we are taking a cautious approach to re-opening because our priority remains doing everything we can to mitigate the spread of the covid-19 virus. We feel that providing responsive curbside pickup service, online reference chat, and maintaining a robust and diverse offering of online library programs gives our community opportunities to discover, learn and grow without the risk of spreading or contracting the virus. We all want to return to a time when we can fully enjoy our beautiful library building, but using a library is, for most of us, a high-touch experience. Each visitor to the library (we average about 800 visits per day) touches books and DVDs, chairs, desktops, door handles, bannisters, touch screens, keyboards, library cards, etc. We have yet to find the way to sanitize all these touchable surfaces so completely that we can feel confident welcoming the public back into the library.
We will re-open GPL in stages following the example of other libraries whose practices have kept patrons and staff safe. As New York’s incidence of positive cases continues to decline we will reach a point where the risk of infection is minimal and feel safe resuming some of our services within the library building. We all very much look forward to once again welcoming our community into the library. Until then, stay safe and healthy.
Please give me a call if you have any questions.
John
John Sexton
Library Director
Greenburgh Public Library
