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 Community Room is open for limited use; please contact the library for details.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the library as well as outside on library property.
- The library building is open our regular hours:
| Monday & Wednesday | 2:00pm – 8:00pm |
| Tuesday & Thursday | 10:00am – 8:00pm |
| Friday | 2:00pm – 7:00pm |
| Saturday | 10:00am – 2:00pm |
Masks:
- Face masks are required to be worn inside the library, regardless of individual vaccination status.
- Children ages 2-11 cannot yet receive the vaccine and must continue to wear masks in the building.
- 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.
- Outside of the library building, at library sponsored events, patrons are not required to wear masks, unless unvaccinated individuals are unable to maintain social distancing.
- 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 in the lobby before entering the library. 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 are available 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:
- 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.
- 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 after each patron use. 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.
- While in the library, if you would like a table or chair wiped down before your use, library staff would be happy to assist you.
- Additionally, the routine cleaning of the library building occurs twice per week, with specific focus on disinfection of library surfaces.
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:
- Library materials may be returned to the outside book drop or to the book drop at the circulation desk.
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.
- 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 your materials.
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 know 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.
Programs:
- Some programing will continue to be offered virtually on the library’s Facebook page.
- When possible in-person programs may be offered outside. Participation may be limited due to the nature of the program; pre-registration may be required.
- 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: 8/30/2021