Libraries

[Anonymous]

So a librarian should have to handle books returned by potentially sick people just so your kids don't have to use a screen?

Empathy seems lost on this generation of parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think books should be made available for pick up, either holds, or random bags for different ages. There is no need to take the books back at this time. Or, if you do take the books back, just leave them in quarantine and then they'll be ready to be redistributed a month from now.

Maybe this is logistically too much for the library system, but it doesn't seem that complicated, and it would certainly be worthwhile for the general public.

Regardiing the bold above -- that still puts library staff in the position of having to handle books etc. that come from who knows where and which would put the library staff at risk of handling contaminated, returned items. See the posts about it above.

I'd like to see what librarians would say to the first part of the idea, about going in and putting items already on hold out for pickup. I think would have to be a one-time, one-day, one-librarian thing: Here's an e-mail notifying you your books now on hold will be outside in a crate with your name on them, between X a.m. and Y p.m. on a specific day; if you don't get them that one day, they'll be taken back inside and won't be put out again, and you must wait until the library reopens fully if you want them at that time.

That might work BUT there is no guarantee that any random person couldn't just walk up and take or at least handle stuff that is outside for pickup. Not saying that would absolutely happen but it does put the library's stock (which includes not only books but also DVDs and other materials) at risk, and it's not cheap or easy to replace library items.

I say it would have to be one-time and one-person because doing anything else will simply put the library staffs back into the libraries, in groups, for multiple days, and that's not a good idea. They could spread the virus among themselves even if they're not taking in returned items or seeing the public. Maybe one librarian goes in and does this, one day pickup of holds for that branch, and is done after that one day. But it would be too much work for one person, if it's a larger branch.

But overall I think libraries simply should remain closed. It's great if people consider them "essential" but opening so that people can get holds or get books for children really is not essential. If children are bored or need supplemental materials for schoolwork at home, parents -- even screen-averse ones -- may have to revert to screens temporarily. That does not mean children will be addicted forever, IF the parents can monitor and use screens judiciously now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just reading through this thread for the first time and, holy crap did it take a turn fast! All OP wanted was to ask why libraries can't open up for curbside pick up. Instead, she got people jumping on her for not having a Kindle, comments about libraries smelling bad, and false claims about libraries harboring homeless drifters and wayward children. WTH?!?

I'm really disappointed about the libraries too, OP. We used to go there every week or two. Our library system was supposed to do curbside service during the pandemic but cancelled it. It seems doable: a large building with plenty of open space where employees could easily keep 10 feet apart, wear protective masks, gloves, etc. Even allowing families to check out a few books a week would be beneficial to the entire community. If restaurants can do contact-free delivery, I'm sure there's a way to figure out contact-free pick-up.

The difference between a library doing curbside pickup and a restaurant is that a library needs to accept returned items. Thousands of them. As a librarian, I can tell you that many people do not have the best hygiene with library books in general. Libraries will have to provide cleaning supplies to deal with outer covers and even before it gets to that point, the books will have to be quarantined for a period.

Please listen to the librarian (bold above), folks.

This is the same point made earlier in the thread in a link someone provided, to a column by another librarian, about why curbside pickup of library books is not safe for library staff or for the public, and not at all equivalent to getting curbside takeout from a restaurant. Here's the link again because I suspect most of the "libraries can just open for pickup" posters haven't read it yet:

https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=Why-Yo...bside-During-COVID-19-Backtalk

I get that it's frustrating for parents who want to be able to get books for their kids during this time, but this is a case of basic health and safety. I also do understand the aversion to screens. But many posters have offered ideas, from searching for free books iin front-yard "little libraries" (of which I see a lot more than a year ago) to reading books online for free (and you don't even need a Kindle to do it, just do some searches ). Not ideal for everyone but this is not forever, just for a while. Wishing and lobbying here for library curbside service will not make it happen, so tomorrow, set out to find some little libraries and check out used book sites and free book sites online.

+100

I also miss the library, as do my kids, but people jumped on OP bc this is such a first world, entitled problem. Model flexibility, download some e-books and read them aloud to your kids. Let them explore tumble books or audible audio books. So many children are asymptomatic, how are you going to ensure that the books they return and touch every page are not transmitting germs? Just send an email to your friends and set up a book swap. Or better yet, send it out to your kid’s class and include less privileged kids who’s parents are more concerned with working and staying healthy than preventing their kids from being on screens for 3 days.

[Anonymous]

The issue is that county buildings are closed. So the first hurdle is getting them opened to at least have staff inside (handling procedures, chloride wipes for the books, gloves, curbside pickup is all secondary).
That hurdle won't be possible for awhile especially since NoVa is not even budging with Northam's attempt at Phase 1.

[Anonymous]

I don't want librarians to get sick after handling contaminated items. But doesn't COVID-19 only last on surfaces for a few days? If the materials are returned thru the book drop into large bins which can be wheeled away and left for a few days, how would this put the library staff in danger? If they had curbside pick-up of materials (i.e., make the patron pop the trunk after providing their last name) how would that be putting librarians in danger?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think books should be made available for pick up, either holds, or random bags for different ages. There is no need to take the books back at this time. Or, if you do take the books back, just leave them in quarantine and then they'll be ready to be redistributed a month from now.

Maybe this is logistically too much for the library system, but it doesn't seem that complicated, and it would certainly be worthwhile for the general public.

Regardiing the bold above -- that still puts library staff in the position of having to handle books etc. that come from who knows where and which would put the library staff at risk of handling contaminated, returned items. See the posts about it above.

I'd like to see what librarians would say to the first part of the idea, about going in and putting items already on hold out for pickup. I think would have to be a one-time, one-day, one-librarian thing: Here's an e-mail notifying you your books now on hold will be outside in a crate with your name on them, between X a.m. and Y p.m. on a specific day; if you don't get them that one day, they'll be taken back inside and won't be put out again, and you must wait until the library reopens fully if you want them at that time.

That might work BUT there is no guarantee that any random person couldn't just walk up and take or at least handle stuff that is outside for pickup. Not saying that would absolutely happen but it does put the library's stock (which includes not only books but also DVDs and other materials) at risk, and it's not cheap or easy to replace library items.

I say it would have to be one-time and one-person because doing anything else will simply put the library staffs back into the libraries, in groups, for multiple days, and that's not a good idea. They could spread the virus among themselves even if they're not taking in returned items or seeing the public. Maybe one librarian goes in and does this, one day pickup of holds for that branch, and is done after that one day. But it would be too much work for one person, if it's a larger branch.

But overall I think libraries simply should remain closed. It's great if people consider them "essential" but opening so that people can get holds or get books for children really is not essential. If children are bored or need supplemental materials for schoolwork at home, parents -- even screen-averse ones -- may have to revert to screens temporarily. That does not mean children will be addicted forever, IF the parents can monitor and use screens judiciously now.

A lot of libraries around the country are doing curbside service. Presumably, the library administration and the local government have come up with a way to keep them safe. Library staff usually ask that the person calls when they arrive, the staff pulls the book and then verifies the ID/library card through the car window, and the books are then placed in the trunk. But returns have to be handled with extreme care. Many urban and close suburban libraries may not have a safe place for cars to pull over to do this, and in addition, a lot of people who don't own cars will have to have a face to face interaction. It should also be said that a lot of local governments are having to furlough staff due to the lack of taxes being generated.

I think that if you are okay with checking books out of the library, you should be okay with asking your friends to swap books too (as a PP suggested), perhaps even those library books that everyone seems to have sitting around. Create a social contract that all library books will be returned to either the library or original borrower (maybe use an old school library checkout card as well as an Excel sheet to keep track of who has what book).

I'm sure libraries know that they will lose quite a bit of material during this time. Some of the stuff will never come back. Some of it is going to be significantly damaged (that happens too). That's going to cost a lot of money in the long run, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't want librarians to get sick after handling contaminated items. But doesn't COVID-19 only last on surfaces for a few days? If the materials are returned thru the book drop into large bins which can be wheeled away and left for a few days, how would this put the library staff in danger? If they had curbside pick-up of materials (i.e., make the patron pop the trunk after providing their last name) how would that be putting librarians in danger?

The book drops will very quickly get full. The library I used to work at had a book drop that was always overflowing on the day after a holiday. Quite frankly, libraries don't have extra book drop bins just sitting around.

[Anonymous]

My BIL and SIL said that at their library you can pick up holds but can't return anything until further notice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So a librarian should have to handle books returned by potentially sick people just so your kids don't have to use a screen?

Empathy seems lost on this generation of parents.

But it wouldn’t. The drop off slot empties into a bin. The librarian moves the bin away, labels it with a date in 7-10-?? days when the books will be safe for res helping, done. They don’t have to touch anything that came from someone’s home until it’s safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So a librarian should have to handle books returned by potentially sick people just so your kids don't have to use a screen?

Empathy seems lost on this generation of parents.

But it wouldn’t. The drop off slot empties into a bin. The librarian moves the bin away, labels it with a date in 7-10-?? days when the books will be safe for res helping, done. They don’t have to touch anything that came from someone’s home until it’s safe.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't want librarians to get sick after handling contaminated items. But doesn't COVID-19 only last on surfaces for a few days? If the materials are returned thru the book drop into large bins which can be wheeled away and left for a few days, how would this put the library staff in danger? If they had curbside pick-up of materials (i.e., make the patron pop the trunk after providing their last name) how would that be putting librarians in danger?

The book drops will very quickly get full. The library I used to work at had a book drop that was always overflowing on the day after a holiday. Quite frankly, libraries don't have extra book drop bins just sitting around.

That seems a problem th at we could solve. Boxes, crates, order more bins. Or only 2-3 libraries per county are open so they can share bins.

Or no returns - only curbside pickup. We could do this if we wanted it bad enough. That what gets me. If librarians had expensive lobbyists on the halls of power (like golf course owners or something), they could do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So a librarian should have to handle books returned by potentially sick people just so your kids don't have to use a screen?

Empathy seems lost on this generation of parents.

Here’s a thought: how about wearing disposable gloves?

[Anonymous]

I wish libraries opened, at least the children’s section, say 5 families at a time by appointment, books spray disinfected after drop off or kept there for some time.
Like, very spaced out visits. But still something.

[Anonymous]

I like a library as much as the next person, but who on this board doesn’t have a shit ton of books at home? Which toddlers get sick of reading the same 10-20 books over and over?

[Anonymous]

It’s not just toddlers. I’d like the libraries to open for my 79 year old mother who is not going to switch to any sort of e-reader at this point in life. There are ways the library could handle book distribution and return in a safe way if the government officials wanted to. And they are going to have to develop them eventually. Right now its just a wasted public resource.