By Nancy Howe
Assistant Director
During the last several months, Baldwinsville Public Library has been open to the community because we have taken necessary steps to ensure everyone’s safety. With spikes in the infection rate, we want to remind everyone what has been done to keep library access available.
We’re currently open seven days a week, and we’re encouraging patrons to make an appointment either by phone 315-635-5631 or online (http://tinyurl.com/bvillelibrarycalendar). Because we are operating at 25% capacity, the maximum number of patrons allowed inside is 25. Making an appointment guarantees entrance. Walk-ins are allowed if the number of patrons is not at capacity.
Everyone above 2 years of age must wear a mask. You must sign in at the reception desk located at the parking lot entrance. A staff member will take your temperature and ask that you either use hand sanitizer or wash your hands before proceeding.
Once inside, you will see that we have installed plexiglass barriers around all service desks. Red footprints have been permanently installed into the carpeting indicating 6-foot social distancing for queueing up at each desk. Additionally, all aisles between the stacks have signage indicating one-way traffic, to discourage close contact with others.
Five computers are available for one-hour appointments, with a maximum of two hours each day. Please call ahead or sign up online to ensure that one will be available when you arrive. Computer stations and all furniture in the building have been socially distanced for everyone’s safety. The two small study rooms can be used by individuals and the large study room has a capacity of two persons. All computer stations, furniture and study rooms are disinfected after each use.
The building is cleaned throughout the day. Once the building is closed, maintenance staff disinfects the public areas (including bathrooms) using the Clorox Total 360 System, an electrostatic sprayer that coats all touch surfaces with an antimicrobial solution that helps with the spread of viruses.
Because COVID-19 is an air-borne illness, the library consulted the ASHRAE air quality standards that were developed in early 2020. The air filters in the ventilation system have been changed to allow for better filtration throughout the building.
Finally, if you do not feel comfortable entering a public space, but still wish to borrow materials, you can call for curbside pickup (available 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday) or you can pick up materials between the doors at our parking lot entrance during regular business hours. For more information about these options, please call 315-635-5631 or email us at [email protected].
