Anna started the session with some exciting new numbers about curbside service: 7,849 items circulated in the last 4 days, which is 47% of the physical items that checked out at the branches during the same time period last year. That is an impressive number for a brand new service and only goes to show how much our patrons value our service and how awesome our staff is!
Many of you might be interested about the timing of the next phase and what it will look like. Anna assured everyone that we have no set date yet and we will inform staff as soon as a decision is made. We are looking at things 2-weeks at a time. Right now we are in Phase 2, but we are starting to plan for the next phases. These phases may be fluid, combined, and/or for varying periods of time based on the most current information.
Any thoughts of installing Plexiglas shields to separate staff computers in the workroom?
Sneeze guards are being ordered for workrooms and Ask Us desks. We are also looking at plans for directional and social distancing signage, traffic patterns in public areas, types of service to offer, as well as the availability of supplies. We are looking at furniture layouts and higher levels of sanitation. With so many variables to take into account, we are planning now so we will be ready for the next phase when it arrives.
What about the hotspots? Will we limit density when we reopen?
There are a variety of formulas being used to determine the appropriate number of people in buildings based on a certain number of people for every 1,000 square feet. Thus far, those numbers seem high and we have yet to determine the appropriate numbers of people to allow in each building.
Will the library rent space to put furniture that needs to be removed for social distancing?
Maybe. We may organize it somewhere else in the building with “Do Not Use” signs posted. There is also the possibility of using meeting rooms if we are not offering programs. (Thanks for the suggestion, Dave!)
Is it possible to dedicate a separate extension or line for people that are there for pickup? Maybe branches could purchase cell phones to use to text patrons about receive calls about pickups?
Both options have been discussed. Because the service is so new, we want to wait and see how the service levels out. We are monitoring all aspects of CCP and looking for ways we can improve the service, but no decisions have been made at this time.
Will the library be switching to Communico for curbside scheduling?
Yes. Several staff members are attending training for the admin side of the service this afternoon. Holly shared that she expects it to take just over a week to get things up and running, train staff, and release the new service to patrons. Had we had more time to launch Curbside Pickup, we would have had a more sophisticated program in place. The system we have in place right now is a starting point, and we hope that with Communico in place, the number of phone calls will be reduced and staff workload will decrease.
Will Public Services staff be encouraged to work partially from home until we resume regular service hours?
We are not sure at what phase all staff will report back to the buildings, and we are anticipating a combination of on-site and working from home for quite some time. This is a condition of Governor Kemp’s latest executive order for all non-essential services and non-profits.
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