Dear PCCLD employee,
We hope you are well. The Library District’s services have shifted dramatically in recent weeks since the onset of the public health crisis. PCCLD’s online and virtual presence has been our “go to” services since March 13 when library buildings closed to the public. Our “Talk to a Librarian” service also has been a key part of this. It is important to appreciate each of you who have been contributing to this effort during the last seven weeks and, also, to others of you who have been working to maintain critical support operations during this time, notably Community Relations, Facilities, Finance, Human Resources, IT, Security, and Technical Services. Now, we are moving to our next phase of operations.
This starts on Monday, May 4. Reports from throughout the Library District indicate all systems are “go” as we commence additional activities at our Barkman, Giodone, Greenhorn Valley, Lamb, Lucero, Pueblo West, and Rawlings Libraries only. These added services are:
1. Patron return of materials into book drops from outside the buildings, with returns to be quarantined for a period of time before going back into library collections
2. Curbside patron pickup of library materials
3. Mail delivery of library materials to patron homes.
It is important to note, although staff are back in the buildings and ramping up additional services, our library buildings will continue to be closed to the public for now. It is our highest priority during this period to ensure services remain “contactless,” social distancing is maintained, facemasks and other personal protective equipment are always in use while in the presence of others, and handwashing and other sanitizing protocols are constantly sustained while at work. We will monitor this closely and move forward with ongoing guidance in our actions from federal, state, and local public health authorities as we strive to provide the best possible public library service to the community in as safe a manner as possible.
PCCLD has been paying regular full-time and part-time employees to stay home on administrative leave or work from home since March 13. There have been some exceptions to this for certain critical activities, which we touched upon above. Administrative leave is winding down now and employees are asked to report to work sites again. There are expected to be some deviations from this. You should not report onsite to a library workplace if you are sick or if you are ordered into isolation or quarantine by a healthcare provider due to COVID-19 or COVID-19 exposure. If this occurs, you should contact your supervisor and/or Terri in Human Resources. Related to this, all staff reporting to a work site will be required to complete a daily health check form certifying they are free at that time from COVID-19 symptoms. Your supervisor has more information about how to complete this simple form.
The current Colorado Public Health Order 20-28 also states these vulnerable individuals should continue to stay at home:
• Individuals who are 65 years or older
• Individuals with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
• Individuals who have serious heart conditions
• Individuals who are immunocompromised
• Pregnant women
• Individuals determined to be high risk by a licensed healthcare provider.
If you have not done so already and any of the above conditions apply to you, you are encouraged to contact Terri in Human Resources.
Finally, there are possible considerations for employees caring for a child if the school or place of care for the child is closed due to COVID-19 and for employees who have an at-risk individual in the household. You may also contact Terri in Human Resources about arrangements pertaining to your job, if this applies to you.
We are cautiously spinning up added library services starting May 4. We aim to do so as safely as possible and acknowledge the COVID-19 virus remains an ongoing problem and challenge. PCCLD will continue to closely follow public health guidelines and mandates from Governor Polis, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other relevant federal agencies.
Sincerely,
Jon Walker
Executive Director
Sherri Baca
Associate Executive Director
