With the health and safety of our patrons, employees, and the community as our top priority, we put in place specific precautions and measures based on guidance by the CDC and New York State’s reopening regulations.
Library Building:
- The number of individuals (patrons and staff) in the library at any time shall not exceed 50% of the regular capacity: 26 persons for the library proper and stacks (regular is 52) and 12 persons for the Community Room (regular is 24).
- The Community Room remains closed to patrons and meetings.
- Please try to limit library browsing visits to no more than 30 minutes and library computer use and use of library tables to no more than 60 minutes.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the library as well as outside on library property.
- The library building is open our regular, pre-COVID-19 hours:
| Monday & Wednesday | 2:00pm – 8:00pm |
| Tuesday & Thursday | 10:00am – 8:00pm |
| Friday | 2:00pm – 7:00pm |
| Saturday | 10:00am – 2:00pm |
Masks:
- All individuals (excluding children under the age of two) are required to wear a mask inside the library’s facilities and when interacting with library staff and patrons.
- Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone unable to remove the mask without assistance. Individuals who cannot wear an appropriate mask must contact the library before visiting, so that reasonable accommodation of services can be made.
- Masks or face coverings may be cloth or paper, so long as they comply with the guidance outlined in Executive Order 202.17 or future executive guidance.
- Masks or face coverings should completely cover the mouth, nose, and chin in accordance with guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Hand Hygiene:
- All patrons are asked to use hand sanitizer before entering the library proper. Any patron unable to use hand sanitizer will be asked to go to the restroom in the lobby to wash their hands for 20 seconds using soap and water.
- Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the library for both staff and patrons to use as needed.
- Gloves will be provided to staff as an optional extra precautionary measure while handling all materials returned to the library and while conducting library surface disinfection.
- More information on When and How to Wash Your Hands from the (CDC).
Distancing:
- The library will strictly enforce the social distancing guidelines mandated by the NYS Governor’s Office, maintaining at least 6 feet between individuals/household on library property.
- Public-use computer stations are separated by at least 6 feet. One person is permitted at a computer station at a time.
- Patron seating in the library has been limited to one or two seats per table.
- Staff members are to use computer stations separated from other staff computer-stations by at least 6 feet. Each staff member will use only their designated computer station, phone handset, writing implements, etc. These will be disinfected at the end of each staff members use.
Cleaning:
- Staff will disinfection high-touch surfaces (e.g. door handles, computer stations) regularly, using approved methods and chemicals as indicated by the Center for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Staff will disinfect public-use computer equipment and stations, as well as, public-use tables and seating after each patron appointment. A two-sided sign will be placed at each seating location or computer station: green indicates the area has been wiped with disinfectant and is ready to use, red indicates the area has not been cleaned after the last patron use. Patrons are requested to turn over the placemat to the red side, when the sit down to use an area.
- Additionally, the routine cleaning of the library building occurs twice per week, with specific focus on disinfection of library surfaces.
Contact Tracing and Health Screening:
- To protect patrons’ right to privacy, contact tracing for patrons is optional. Anyone who chooses to participate in contact tracing at the library should fill out a form a drop it in the box located in the lobby.
- All staff must complete a health screening form before entering the library for their shift.
Checking Out Materials:
- Patrons are encouraged to use the Self-Checkout station, when possible.
- Holds may be placed on items owned by other OWWL libraries. Please note that the interlibrary loan delivery system is operating on a reduced schedule at this time.
- There is a limit of ten items per library card that can be placed on hold at a time.
Returning Materials:
- All library materials must be returned to the outside book drop. Staff will not accept in-person or in-library returns at this time.
- All returned items will be quarantined for at least 5 days. Items will remain on your account for a few days after you return them. Fines may accrue during this period, but will be removed from your account upon check-in.
- Quarantined bins will be clearly labeled “LAST HANDLED” with the date, time, and initials of the last person who handled the materials. These bins will be located in the Community Room.
Lobby Pickup Service:
- Reserve items from our online catalog at owwl.org or by calling the library at 585-657-6264. Make sure the pickup location is set to Bloomfield Public Library.
- There is a limit of ten items per library card that can be placed on hold at a time.
- When your hold is ready, you will be notified in the method you selected when placing the hold: Call, Email, or Text. If you want to us the Lobby Pickup Service, you must contact the library to let us know when you will collect it.
Computers and Copy/Fax Services:
- There are four public-use computer stations available at the library.
- Public-use computer stations are separated by at least 6 feet. One person is permitted at a computer station at a time.
- A placemat is located at each station: the green side facing up means the station has been wiped down with disinfectant by a staff member; the red side facing up means the station has not yet been wiped after the last patron’s use. When using a computer station, please flip the placemat so that the red side faces up, and staff knows it needs to be wiped when you are finished.
- Printing in color or in black & white is available to patrons.
- The copier/scanner/fax machine is available for patron use. Please notify a staff member after use so that it may be wiped with a disinfectant.
Programs:
- Most programing will continue to be offered virtually or outdoors until wearing a facemask and following social distancing protocols are no longer required procedures or until advised by a reliable government or health agency it is safe to loosen restrictions.
- To ensure the safety of all community members, most live, in-person library programming within the library proper or Community Room will be suspended until the library capacity can be increased and social distancing restrictions are no longer required when inside a public building.
- In-person programs may be offered outside if possible. Participation may be limited due to the nature of the program. Participants will be required to wear a mask and to follow social distancing protocols. Any patron unwilling or unable to wear a mask will be unable to participate in outdoor programs at this time.
- Please see the Bloomfield Public Library’s Calendar for the latest library program and events.
Donations:
- Unfortunately, due to space constraints, we cannot accept book donations at this time.
- Please do not leave books or other materials you wish to donate by the library door or drop them in the book return.
Thank you for your patience and support, while we all adjust to this new way of doing things!
Last updated: 2/22/2021