The following information is meant to be a guide for you as we anticipate issues and potential questions from patrons as we move into the next phase of reopening. They are suggested responses that you are free to put in your own words or adapt as the situation warrants. If at any point you feel like you need assistance in handling a situation, please get a supervisor to assist you. If a supervisor is not immediately available and the situation escalates, it is perfectly acceptable to contact law enforcement.
Remember, none of us has dealt with this situation before and we might not always have the perfect answer. That is okay. We try, it works or it doesn’t. We adjust. We try again.
If you have additional suggestions for questions and responses or encounter a situation you feel might be helpful for your colleagues, please contact Sarah Reynolds at reynoldss@forsythpl.org or 678-513-9365. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to FCPL and our patrons. You all continue to do amazing work for our community.
General Information
Branch Visits
Only a limited number of patrons will be admitted to the building at one time and patrons may need to wait outside during peak usage times.
Library patrons are encouraged to limit their visit to 30 minutes or less, though extensions are available for patrons using the library's computers.
Masks
Masks are not required to visit the library but they are encouraged. If you would like a mask but do not have one, the library will provide one for you. Patrons working in close proximity to staff, such as those who request assistance with computers, will be required to wear a mask.
Computer Use
You are welcome to use a library computer during your visit to the library. If you need more than 30 minutes, please let staff know at least 5 minutes before your session ends. Otherwise, you may lose your work if the system logs you out.
Families Together
If you arrive together, please be sure to enjoy your library visit together. Children should remain with their caregivers during their visit.
Social Distancing
The Forsyth County Public Library encourages social distancing. Please be mindful of others during your visit. Please remain at least 6 feet away from other patrons. This is about the length of the average couch.
No Study Rooms or Hot Spot
In order to encourage social distancing, the hot spot and study rooms are closed and being used to store furniture. We are encouraging patrons to use the library to browse and select reading materials and to use computers during this transitional time. However, meetings and group study are not suggested at this time.
Potential Questions
Why should I be expected to wear a mask?
Masks are not required to use the library for browsing or to use the computer independently. If you require assistance that involves close interaction with staff, a mask will be required. We do have masks available for you.
Why don’t you require everyone in the library to wear a mask?
Masks are not required to use the library for browsing or to use the computer independently. Whether or not to wear a mask is a personal choice and we cannot force patrons to wear masks. We do require staff to wear masks based on the recommendations of the CDC and other health professionals. Additionally, if someone requires assistance that involves close interaction with staff, a mask is required. We do have masks available.
What cleaning and sanitizing protocols are you following?
Some surfaces that are touched by multiple patrons, such as the self-check stations, will be sanitized frequently. Computer keyboards and mice will be sanitized after each use. Tables and desks will be sanitized often.
How often are you cleaning the restrooms?
We are cleaning door handles to the restrooms throughout the day. Soap, paper towels and toilet seat covers are available if you choose to use the public restroom. Our cleaning service sanitizes the entire restroom daily.
How are you sanitizing books?
Current research shows that time is the best disinfectant, so we are quarantining all returned materials for at least 72 hours before shelving or putting on hold for the next patron.
How long will curbside service continue?
Curbside service will continue for the foreseeable future. If and when any changes are made, we will give you plenty of notice.
Why aren’t you offering dedicated service hours for seniors or at-risk populations?
Our hope is that the guidelines we have in place will allow for satisfactory precautions for those populations. We will also continue to provide curbside service for anyone who is not comfortable returning to the library at this time.
Why do people using the computer get more time than me?
We are encouraging patrons to limit their visits 30 minutes or less, but we recognize that some computer tasks, such as applying for a job, may take longer than that. We want to be as flexible as we can be while still serving as many patrons as we can.
That person is not following the rules. You need to take care of that!
Thank you for bringing the issue to my attention. As you noted, we do have certain guidelines in place for patrons to follow while in the building, and we do our best to encourage everyone to follow them. If you are uncomfortable or feel unsafe by another patron’s behavior, we encourage you to visit another part of the library or ask a staff member to assist you with your needs.
How did the library decide how many patrons may use the library at one time?
Each branch is a little different, depending on its square footage and its layout. The number of patrons inside a branch at any given time could vary a little, depending on the number of different families or patrons inside and how patrons are using the branch at that time.
I’m a tutor. Why can I not use the library?
In an effort to provide equitable service to everyone who wants to use the library, we are limiting the amount of time for users to browse and use the computer for 30 minutes. This is a phased approach to reopening, and we don’t have a timeframe when our regular service will resume, but you will be welcome to use the library for unlimited times when regular service resumes. Having said that, if you can do your tutoring within 30 minutes and allow for appropriate social distancing, we do not have any guidelines against tutoring.
Where did all of the children’s toys/activities/computers go?
These items are currently unavailable in an effort to reduce the spread of germs through high-contact surfaces.
Why can’t I reserve a room?
We’re using many of those rooms for storage, for quarantined books and furniture. Also, there is limited air supply in those smaller rooms and social distancing is not easily maintained in these spaces.
Why are the bookstore not open?
These smaller rooms are not conducive to social distancing.
When will the library begin having in-person programs again? Why don’t you just limit attendance to those?
At some point we will begin having in-person programs again, but we will probably do so during a slower time of year. During the summer, we would have to turn many people away, which we would not want to do. With our current virtual programs hundreds of patrons are able to view the same program from the comfort and safety of their homes.
A staff member submitted this question: Are parents allowed to drop children off at the library if they meet the age requirements?
ReplyDeleteWe recommend that if we see kids getting dropped off and can approach the parent to say hello before they pull away we do that. It’s a quick conversation to find out if they are dropping off their kids. We can let parents know the library is open for browsing and that their kids have 30 minutes in the building before they need to be picked up. If we miss the parent, we can have that same conversation with the kids before they enter the library.