Dear All,
Spread of the Coronavirus has reduced locally in Pueblo County in recent weeks. This resulted in the county moving today to status Orange on the Colorado COVID-19 Dial from the prior Red status. Local businesses and organizations are beginning to modestly open up services. PCCLD plans to follow suit beginning Tuesday, January 19, 2021, by offering limited in-building services during regular hours of operation. Internal preparations are underway now to support this change with final touches anticipated so we can make a smooth transition beginning Tuesday, January 19. This plan is subject to change should circumstances dictate.
Effective Tuesday, January 19, we plan for curbside, postal mail, and online/virtual activities to continue and two more services will be added. A limited number of individuals will be welcomed into PCCLD libraries (1) to browse collections to checkout materials and (2) to use a designated group of public computers and make copies. Individuals from the public will complete a health screen at the front door of each library upon entering. Members of the public will be limited to one hour per person per day inside the library. Face masks will be required while inside any library, social distancing protocols will be encouraged so individuals remain six feet apart, and there should be regular sanitizing of high-touch surfaces. No long-term stays by the public inside libraries for reading, studying, or otherwise “hanging out” will be allowed and most public seating should be removed or made unavailable. Meeting rooms will continue to be closed to the public and the public will not be able to bring food or drink inside PCCLD buildings. Public restrooms will be locked and only opened by staff upon request. Staff procedures for distancing and use of personal protective equipment will remain in place.
These are the changes planned to commence on Tuesday, January 19. COVID-19 clearly remains a critical problem although public health authorities report the spread of the virus has abated somewhat of late in our community. It is vital for us to adhere to the directions above and to follow other guidance from public health authorities. Our actions will continue to align with instructions from the State of Colorado, the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. PCCLD has been fortunate to avoid a documented onsite outbreak of the virus, which is due in some large measure to our diligence to date in following safe and healthy practices. It is important that we maintain these efforts even as we plan some steps to reopen to the public.
The library has a critical role in helping our community during this extraordinarily challenging time. The current situation is difficult for all of us. The pandemic is a direct threat to our physical health, its social consequences are detrimental to our mental health, and the consequent economic catastrophe makes things only worse. PCCLD services are essential in support of free and open access to resources and tools for lifelong learning, reading, listening, and viewing. These public library principles are more important now than ever.
Additional details on this plan will be forthcoming from your supervisor. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Sherri Baca with questions.
Wishing you peace, health, and prosperity in 2021,
Jon
Jon Walker
Executive Director
