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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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,[b] 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.[/b]

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. [/quote]

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. [/quote]

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.[/quote]

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