PUEBLO, Colo. – Starting Friday, June 19 all libraries throughout the Pueblo City-County Library District will begin phase one of a limited reopening plan. This phase allows the public to use library computers. A second reopening phase will commence Friday, June 26 that will allow patrons to browse for library materials.
These limited reopening phases come after Pueblo County’s successful variance approval to Gov. Jared Polis’ Safer At Home Public Health Order 20-28. PCCLD administration worked closely with the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment to ensure that normal library operations can take place safely while maintaining limited contact standards set forth during the state Stay At Home and Safer At Home orders.
“I am pleased state and local health authorities have eased restrictions so the Pueblo City-County Library can further reopen local libraries to the general public. We are thrilled to offer computer-by-appointment service beginning June 19 followed by browsing-by-appointment one week later. We are adding these to our current curbside and online services for now, and look forward to opening up even further as the COVID-19 problem subsides and health authorities allow,” said PCCLD Executive Director Jon Walker.
During phase one, patrons will be able to use the district’s public computers for a single 45-minute, reservation-only daily session. Computer use will be available at all branches throughout the district, starting at noon until 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays at Robert Hoag Rawlings Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave.
Reservations must be made up to three days in advance and can be made by going to the district’s website, www.pueblolibrary.org, select the pull-down menu “Library Service” at the top of the page and click on “Computer Reservations.”
Patrons with a reservation are required to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled time. Library patrons as well as staff are required to wear facemasks at all times. Masks will be provided for those without. Children 4 years old and younger are exempt.
Upon entry, patrons are required to submit to a verbal health screening and sanitize their hands. At maximum there may only be one family per computer station. No food or drink will be allowed inside the building. Public bathrooms will be locked and only opened by staff upon request. Library staff and patrons are required to maintain the social distancing standard of six feet at all times.
All patrons who enter a library location must also provide their contact information – first and last name, address and a phone number – as required by state health agencies for COVID-19 contact tracing. For those without a library card who are using a visitor’s pass are required to fill out a registration form, reservations made with library card are already set.
Library security staff will allow patrons access to the front desk for assistance with computer reservations, copier use as well as those wanting to obtain a library card.
After each 45-minute session is complete, library staff will then commence sanitizing all high-touch surface areas.
Only the public computer stations are open at this time. Curbside pickup and mail delivery of library materials will continue during the limited reopening phases. Patrons wanting to checkout library materials may select items via the online catalog and arrange for curbside pickup. The public will be able to browse for library materials beginning Friday, June 26. This phase will consist of a 30-minute reservation-only session and will require patrons to follow similar protocols as set forth during the computer-use only phase.
In the meantime, those who miss browsing for materials are encouraged to use the new service Build Your Own Bundle. Available online at www.pueblolibrary.org/checkoutbundles, patrons can submit the online form of the materials they are interested in – books, magazines, DVDs, etc. – a staff member will then create a custom bundle of those items for curbside pickup.
Friday’s limited reopening is the first time the district’s buildings have been open to the public since the March 13 closure due to the statewide Stay At Home order.
These limited reopening phases come after Pueblo County’s successful variance approval to Gov. Jared Polis’ Safer At Home Public Health Order 20-28. PCCLD administration worked closely with the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment to ensure that normal library operations can take place safely while maintaining limited contact standards set forth during the state Stay At Home and Safer At Home orders.
“I am pleased state and local health authorities have eased restrictions so the Pueblo City-County Library can further reopen local libraries to the general public. We are thrilled to offer computer-by-appointment service beginning June 19 followed by browsing-by-appointment one week later. We are adding these to our current curbside and online services for now, and look forward to opening up even further as the COVID-19 problem subsides and health authorities allow,” said PCCLD Executive Director Jon Walker.
During phase one, patrons will be able to use the district’s public computers for a single 45-minute, reservation-only daily session. Computer use will be available at all branches throughout the district, starting at noon until 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays at Robert Hoag Rawlings Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave.
Reservations must be made up to three days in advance and can be made by going to the district’s website, www.pueblolibrary.org, select the pull-down menu “Library Service” at the top of the page and click on “Computer Reservations.”
Patrons with a reservation are required to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled time. Library patrons as well as staff are required to wear facemasks at all times. Masks will be provided for those without. Children 4 years old and younger are exempt.
Upon entry, patrons are required to submit to a verbal health screening and sanitize their hands. At maximum there may only be one family per computer station. No food or drink will be allowed inside the building. Public bathrooms will be locked and only opened by staff upon request. Library staff and patrons are required to maintain the social distancing standard of six feet at all times.
All patrons who enter a library location must also provide their contact information – first and last name, address and a phone number – as required by state health agencies for COVID-19 contact tracing. For those without a library card who are using a visitor’s pass are required to fill out a registration form, reservations made with library card are already set.
Library security staff will allow patrons access to the front desk for assistance with computer reservations, copier use as well as those wanting to obtain a library card.
After each 45-minute session is complete, library staff will then commence sanitizing all high-touch surface areas.
Only the public computer stations are open at this time. Curbside pickup and mail delivery of library materials will continue during the limited reopening phases. Patrons wanting to checkout library materials may select items via the online catalog and arrange for curbside pickup. The public will be able to browse for library materials beginning Friday, June 26. This phase will consist of a 30-minute reservation-only session and will require patrons to follow similar protocols as set forth during the computer-use only phase.
In the meantime, those who miss browsing for materials are encouraged to use the new service Build Your Own Bundle. Available online at www.pueblolibrary.org/checkoutbundles, patrons can submit the online form of the materials they are interested in – books, magazines, DVDs, etc. – a staff member will then create a custom bundle of those items for curbside pickup.
Friday’s limited reopening is the first time the district’s buildings have been open to the public since the March 13 closure due to the statewide Stay At Home order.