Follow-Up to Staff Blog Post about Further Steps in the Library’s Return to Normal

Submitted by Anna Lyle and Stephen Kight

A May 4 staff blog post provided information about the next steps in the library’s return to its pre-pandemic state.  This post stated that beginning on June 1, masks will be optional for staff in all staff areas of the library, as well as optional for staff in all public areas of the library, but that staff should put on a mask if requested to do so by a patron they are assisting.  This blog post provides clarification on some of the points made in that blog post and provides some new information as well.

Mask Requirement for Staff:

• The previous blog post stated that masks or face shields should continue to be worn by staff presenting indoor library programs.  Following additional consideration, we’re going to let staff members who are presenting the programs decide what is appropriate for each particular situation.  We encourage you to use your best judgment by considering the type of program, the number of participants, the amount of distance between you and the participants, and the number of participants who are choosing to wear a mask.  For example, if you are leading an adult book group and all the participants have chosen not to wear masks, you can decide to leave your mask off also if you would like to.  Your supervisor or Branch Manager can help you make that decision if you’d like assistance.
• We’ve had staff ask if they may ask other staff to wear a mask after June 1 and if they are required to put on a mask if they are asked by another staff member to do so.  The short answer is that staff may ask another staff member to wear a mask and staff may decline to do so.  The longer answer is that we are fortunate to work in an environment that emphasizes respect and courtesy, and to have employees who take these qualities seriously.  If a coworker has chosen to continue wearing a mask we encourage you to consider wearing a mask while in close proximity to them.
• Even if you choose to stay primarily unmasked at work after June 1, there may be times when you’ll need to put on a mask quickly if you need to accommodate a request by someone to put on a mask.  This could happen whether you work primarily in the public areas or the staff areas of the library.  If you wear clothing with pockets that can be a good option.  If you don’t wear clothing with pockets, there may be other options, and the library can purchase accessories such as lanyards that could be helpful for this purpose.
• The library will continue to provide PPE for staff, such as masks and gloves.

Signs:

Beginning Tuesday, May 25 we’ll reduce our signage about COVID-19.  The following signs should remain on the public doors:

• Liability (“Warning: Under Georgia law, there is no liability for an injury or death….”)
• Symptoms (“Please do not enter if you: currently have or recently had a fever, cough, or shortness of breath”)

The following sign should remain on the staff doors:

• Symptoms (“Feeling Sick? Stay home when you are sick!...)

All other signs relating to COVID-19 in both public and staff areas should be removed before we open on Tuesday, May 25.  These include the following:

• “Thank you for continuing to wear your mask and practice social distancing”
• Georgia Safety Promise
• Handwashing signs in restrooms
• Vaccine signs in staff areas
• “Stop the Spread” and similar signs in staff areas

We will also remove the “Thank you for continuing to wear your mask and practice social distancing” slider from our website Tuesday morning.

Questions to Staff About Vaccination Status:

We recognize that some patrons may ask questions or make assumptions about the vaccination status of staff.  While the latest guidance from the CDC refers specifically to fully vaccinated people having the option to not wear masks in many situations, the library is not distinguishing between vaccinated and non-vaccinated staff and is allowing masks to be optional for all staff.

You may wonder how to respond if a patron asks if you’ve been vaccinated.  In that situation if you’re comfortable providing an answer about your own vaccination status you’re welcome to, but it is absolutely not required.  You can politely say that you’re not comfortable answering questions about your own status, but that 80% of our staff are fully vaccinated, which is much higher than the rates for both the state of Georgia and Forsyth County.

Please let us know if you have any questions as we continue to return to normal.