Subject Guides: Coronavirus: Reopening Guide for Public Libraries: Home

News and Updates

Letter from IMLS Director Crosby Kemper to State Health Departments, Dec. 10, 2020

Governor McMaster held a press conference on December 9, 2020 to discuss the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. He listed a schedule of distribution of the vaccine based on a variety of factors which place a person in a high risk category. Those factors included: a person’s profession, health, and living arrangements. He noted three separate phases slightly different or expanded from the CDC:
Phase 1: Healthcare personnel
Phase 2: Workers who provide services and have a high risk of exposure due to interactions with the public
Phase 3: Service Industry Workers, postal workers, childcare workers, K-12 teachers and staff, people who are immune-compromised

REALM Test 6 Results (November 20, 2020)
Test 6 included hard surfaces such as glass, steel, and laminate. Results show that after two days, SARS-CoV-2 virus was not detectable on the brass and marble. After six days, virus was not detected on the glass, laminate, and powder-coated steel.

Vaccine Information

Webinars

Reopening Lives Tutorials
Niche Academy has collected up-to-date resources for topics related to the COVID-19 virus.
South Carolina State Library Niche Academy COVID-19 Archives
Webinar archives on COVID-19 topics including virtual programming, dealing with difficult patron behaviors, COVID-related scams, and guidelines for preventing the spread of the virus
Contact the Continuing Education Consultant for assistance creating an account
Communication Strategies for COVID-19 (June 2020)
This webinar discusses the impacts of COVID-19 on how we communicate, what we have learned thus far, and how we can apply that going forward. It also addresses communications strategies for reopening libraries, and how we can become more nimble and prepared for future potential disruptions.
De-Escalating Difficult COVID-19 Customer Behaviors (July 2020)
As organizations reopen, they are finding customers looking for a new audience to express their anger and frustrations about their feelings of a loss of normalcy and continued uncertainty. Learn eight customer de-escalation tips and specific verbal intervention techniques including proven verbiage to use with customers that are violating your organization's code of conduct and endangering your employees' safety.
Innovation During COVID-19 (August 2020)
COVID-19 has provided the opportunity for libraries to showcase how innovative and crucial we are to the communities we serve. Participants will hear how one Montana library has looked beyond the norm to help its health and medical partners, small business partners, and elected officials navigate this pandemic.
Helping Students Succeed During COVID-19 (September 2020)
This webinar will examine how public libraries across the country are helping students, their parents, and teachers succeed in the new world of distance learning.
REALM Resources for Libraries Operating During COVID-19 (October 2020)
Sharon Streams, REALM project director for OCLC, will share an update on what is currently known and unknown about the virus, the results of REALM testing thus far, and how to factor scientific information into your local decision making.

Resources for Librarians about the Coronavirus

Pandemic Preparedness (American Library Association)
Outlines topics to include in an individual library policy on illness and/or pandemic prevention and preparedness; federal, state, and local resources; and additional resources
A Guide to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) for Public Libraries (NNLM)
Coronavirus COVID-19 (Delaware Division of Libraries)

Information Sheets to Share

COVID-19 Printable Fact Sheet (mass.gov)
Available in 7 languages
'Mask Up' Posters for Libraries
Would you like some gentle reminders for your patrons to wear masks in your library building? The Wyoming State Library has created these posters for you to use.
Hygiene-related posters from CDC
Includes Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands poster and Cover Your Cough poster
Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives (Button & Badges from the CDC)
Share on your websites, blogs, and social media

COVID Pin Designs
A variety of button templates with reminders to wear a mask and distance 6 feet, including characters with masks

CDC Communication Resources
Free fact sheets, videos, and printable posters and materials

Coronavirus: Reopening Guide for Public Libraries: Home

News and Updates

Vaccine Information

Webinars

Resources for Librarians about the Coronavirus

Information Sheets to Share

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