Coronavirus: Reopening Guide for Public Libraries: Home

With the increased supply of vaccine and progress in vaccinating people in group 1a
(front line health care workers and those age 65 and over), South Carolina is ready to move on to the next phase. Learn when you and your staff, patrons, and family members are eligible for the vaccine.

CDC has designed a toolkit to help community-based organizations (CBOs) educate communities about this important new prevention tool. This toolkit will help your organization educate community members about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns.

Make sure your mask fits snugly against your face. Gaps can let air with respiratory droplets leak in and out around the edges of the mask
Pick a mask with layers to keep your respiratory droplets in and others’ out. A mask with layers will stop more respiratory droplets getting inside your mask or escaping from your mask if you are sick.

• In cold environments, the virus is present and above the level of detection (active) at 10 days for all materials except the hardcover books, which dipped below that level at 8 days.
• In warm environments, the virus is present up to 4 days and above the level of detection (active). At 6 days for all materials except the plastic protective cover, it was below the level of detection.

The recording of the 29 January REALM webinar, “Project Update and Community Reflections,” is now available on demand. Panelists shared updates on project activities and research findings as well as perspectives from the field.

A new toolkit resource that synthesizes information from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on cleaning and disinfecting considerations is also available for download.

Frequently Asked Questions about the REALM testing project, material handling, quarantine, and disinfection, and a form to submit questions.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Available in 7 languages

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.

Includes Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands poster and Cover Your Cough poster

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Free fact sheets, videos, and printable posters and materials