COVID-19 Announcement

Submitted by Shannon Feathe… on Thu, 03/12/2020 - 19:43

UPDATE

June 2, 2021

SEPL is pleased to announce our next stage in reopening in accordance with new state guidelines. The safety of the staff and our patrons remains our top priority.

As of Wednesday, June 2, 2021, material quarantine has been discontinued. Late fines will continue to be waived until further notice.

Facial coverings and social distancing are NO LONGER REQUIRED.

All public computers stations and seating have been restored.

We encourage you to:

•Respect social distancing by maintaining a 6-foot space between yourself and other patrons and staff if you have not yet been fully vaccinated.

•Wear a face covering if you have not yet been fully vaccinated.

•Maintain good hygiene practices. Use provided hand sanitizer before browsing or using library equipment.

•Please stay home if you are not feeling well or have any symptoms associated with COVID.

SEPL staff is committed to:

• Performing daily symptoms assessments before reporting for work.

• Wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing, when appropriate.

• Maintaining good hygiene practices by washing hands and using hand sanitizer.

• Cleaning/sanitizing according to established schedule for open hours.

Curbside Service is still available. Call 419-426-3825 or request items online and pick up items at the front, main entrance.

Please continue to take advantage of our digital resources through Libby and Overdrive.

Our Wi-Fi stays on 24/7 and can be accessed from our parking lot with the password “books”, all lowercase.

Check for updates on the library’s website senecaeastlibrary.org and Facebook page. Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Sincerely,

Shannon Featheringill

Director

UPDATE

May 19, 2021

SEPL will reopen its meeting room for public use beginning Monday, March 22, 2021. We are pleased to announce this next stage in reopening. The safety of the staff and our patrons remains our top priority.

Local, non-profit, organized groups of ten or less may reserve the meeting room on a first come, first serve basis by phone or in person. An application form must be completed as per our meeting room policy.

Please continue to:

•Respect social distancing guidelines by maintaining a 6-foot space between yourself and other patrons and staff.

•Wear a face covering.

•Maintain good hygiene practices. Use provided hand sanitizer before browsing or using library equipment.

•Please stay home if you are not feeling well or have any symptoms associated with COVID.

SEPL staff is committed to:

• Performing daily symptoms assessments before reporting for work.

• Wearing appropriate face coverings.

• Maintaining good hygiene practices by washing hands and using hand sanitizer.

• Practicing appropriate social distancing.

• Cleaning/sanitizing according to established schedule for open hours.

• Quarantining returned materials for at least 72 hours. (Please note: This means that they will still show on your account for 3-4 days after you return them. No late fines are being assessed at this time.)

Curbside Service is still available. Call 419-426-3825 or request items online and pick up items at the front, main entrance.

Please continue to take advantage of our digital resources through Libby and Overdrive.

Our Wi-Fi stays on 24/7 and can be accessed from our parking lot with the password “books”, all lowercase.

Check for updates on the library’s website senecaeastlibrary.org and Facebook page. Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Sincerely,

Shannon Featheringill

Director

UPDATE

September 10, 2020

SEPL will resume normal operating hours beginning Monday, September 14, 2020. We are pleased to announce our next stage in reopening. The safety of the staff and our patrons remains our top priority.

Hours: The Library will be open to the general public Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Senior and vulnerable patron hours will continue to be 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Monday through Friday (9:30 a.m. on Saturdays).

Other changes: Students are permitted in the library without adult accompaniment to select materials, use the computers for school work and to study while observing safety guidelines.

Appointments for computers are no longer necessary. There will continue to be a two hour limit per day. Headphones are not available. If you need audio, please bring your own headphones.

If you prefer, Curbside Service is still available. Call 419-426-3825 or request items online and pick up items at the front, main entrance.

Please continue to take advantage of our digital resources through Libby and Overdrive. Our Wi-Fi stays on 24/7 and can be accessed from our parking lot with the password “books”, all lowercase.

Check for updates here and our Facebook page. Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Sincerely,

Shannon Featheringill

Director

UPDATE

June 5, 2020

SEPL will reopen to the public Monday, June 8, 2020. We are pleased to announce our next stage in reopening. To help ensure the safety of the staff and our patrons, we have modified public areas and changed certain procedures to comply with state and federal guidelines for reopening.

Changes to the Library:

Temporary limited hours: The Library will be open to the general public Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The first hour of each day will be reserved for our senior and vulnerable patrons.

Children ages 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult while in the library.

Returned items will be quarantined for at least 72 hours. This means that they will still show on your account for 3-4 days after you return them. No late fines are being assessed at this time.

SEO inter-library loans and deliveries will not be available until at least the end of June.

Please make an appointment to use a computer. There will be a two hour limit per day. Headphones will not be available. If you need audio, please bring your own headphones.

There will be no in-building programs or meeting rooms use. All previously scheduled meetings have been canceled until further notice.

Seating is limited; leisure reading and studying is discouraged.

An acrylic barrier has been installed at the circulation desk and 6 foot indicators have been marked on the floor to assist with social distancing.

When you visit the Library:

•Respect social distancing guidelines by maintaining a 6-foot space between yourself and other patrons and staff.

•We recommend you wear a face covering.

•Maintain good hygiene practices. Use provided hand sanitizer before browsing or using library equipment.

•Please stay home if you are not feeling well or have any symptoms associated with COVID.

•Return all materials in the outdoor book drop. Do not bring returns into the building or hand returned materials back to staff.

SEPL staff is committed to:

• Performing daily symptoms assessments before reporting for work

• Wearing appropriate face coverings

• Maintaining good hygiene practices by washing hands and using hand sanitizer

• Practicing appropriate social distancing

• Cleaning/sanitizing according to established schedule for open hours.

If you prefer, Curbside Service will still be available. Call 419-426-3825 or request items online and pick up items at the front, main entrance.

Please continue to take advantage of our digital resources through Libby and Overdrive.

Our Wi-Fi stays on 24/7 and can be accessed from our parking lot with the password “books”, all lowercase.

Check for updates on the library’s website senecaeastlibrary.org and Facebook page. Thank you for your continued patience and support. We are looking forward to serving you. Stay safe. We will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Shannon Featheringill

Director

UPDATE

May 12, 2020

SEPL will begin curbside service Monday, May 18, 2020. This service will be available Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Patrons will not be permitted inside the library at this time.

How will curbside service work?

1. Use our online catalog, use the SEO Libraries App or call the library at 419-426-3825 to request items for pickup. We will check out available items to you and bag them up.*

2. Come to the front, main entrance of the library and call (or knock) to let us know you are here. We will set your items outside for you to pick up.

3. Return all items in the outdoor book drop on the North side of the building.**

* If needed, call the library for your login credentials to access the online catalog or SEO Libraries App. The SEO Libraries App is available for free from the app store on your device.

**The book drop is now open. You can start returning materials at any time. To ensure patron and staff safety, returned materials will be quarantined for three days and will remain on patron accounts during that time. Late fines will be suspended until further notice.

Please continue to take advantage of our digital resources through Libby and Overdrive. Our Wi-Fi stays on 24/7 and can be accessed from our parking lot with the password “books”, all lowercase. Check for updates on the library’s website senecaeastlibrary.org and Facebook page.

Thank you for your continued patience and support as we navigate this evolving situation. We are looking forward to serving you. Stay safe. We will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Shannon Featheringill

Director

UPDATE

March 22, 2020

Governor DeWine has issued a stay-at-home order for all non-essential businesses. The Seneca East Public Library (SEPL) will be closed and has discontinued curbside service until further notice.

The book drop is now closed. Please keep all items until the library reopens. Late fines have been suspended indefinitely.

Please check for updates on the library’s website www.senecaeastlibrary.org and Facebook page.

Thank you. Stay safe. We will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Shannon Featheringill

Director

UPDATE

March 20, 2020

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I announce that the Seneca East Public Library (SEPL) will be closed and will be discontinuing curbside service until further notice.

We have been closely monitoring the updates and recommendations from local, state and federal authorities regarding the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. We are, and will always be, committed to serving the community. The safety and health of our patrons and staff must be paramount. At this time it is clear that it is no longer prudent to continue any in-person services to ensure that we are not contributing to community spread.

At this time you may still return items in the outdoor book drop on the North side of the building or you may keep items until the library reopens. Late fines have been suspended indefinitely.

Please take advantage of our digital resources through Libby and Overdrive. If you need your login credentials you can contact us through Facebook messenger or by emailing seneca@senecaeastlibrary.org. Our Wi-Fi stays on 24/7 and can be accessed from our parking lot with the password “books”, all lowercase. We will continue to explore alternative services so please check for updates on the library’s website www.senecaeastlibrary.org and Facebook page.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued patience and understanding. Please stay safe. We will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Shannon Featheringill

Director

UPDATE

March 13, 2020

Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 until further notice SEPL will close but will offer curbside service.

How will curbside service work?

1. Use our online catalog, use the SEO Libraries App or call the library to request items for pickup. We will check out available items to you and bag them up.*

2. Come to the front, main entrance of the library and call (or knock) to let us know you are here. We will set your items outside for you to pick up.

3. Return all items in the outdoor book drop on the North side of the building. Late fines will be suspended until further notice.

4. This service will be available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

* If needed, call the library for your login credentials to access the online catalog or SEO Libraries App. The SEO Libraries App is available for free from the app store on your device.

Again, thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we navigate this difficult situation and look for updates on our website and Facebook.

Thank You,

Shannon Featheringill

Director

Phone: 419-426-3825

A Letter from the Director

March 12, 2020

The Seneca East Public Library (SEPL) is committed to serving the needs of the public while also working to ensure the safety and health of our patrons, staff and community.

We have been closely following developments around COVID-19 in our effort to take appropriate steps to help prevent community spread. In light of the new COVID-19 information coming from the Governor’s office and from the State Library of Ohio, we will be suspending all programs and meeting room use beginning Thursday, March 12, 2020 until Friday, April 3, 2020.

The library will remain open at this time, with an abundance of caution.

We have increased our sanitizing efforts and have sanitizing wipes available for patron use at public computers.

All children’s toys have been temporarily removed.

Social distancing is recommended to curtail the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, we are asking all library patrons not to gather, or linger inside the library. Also in support of social distancing, some public computers will be unavailable to use.

Patrons will not be penalized for returning materials late through March and April.

We encourage staff and patrons to follow best hygiene practices and to not visit the library if they are feeling ill or concerned about potential exposure. Please call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH or visit coronavirus.ohio.gov for more information about COVID-19.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to do what we feel is best for our community during this unprecedented time. This is a rapidly changing situation and we will keep you updated via the library’s website and Facebook page. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank You,

Shannon Featheringill

Director

Phone: 419-426-3825

ODH Recommendations

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) advises that people follow the usual recommendations for reducing their risk of infection for other illnesses, such as influenza. These recommendations include:

Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water. If unavailable, use hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid contact with people who are sick.
Stay home while you are sick (except to visit a health care professional) and to avoid contact with others.
Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.

Trusted Resources

Ohio Department of Health website | coronavirus.ohio.gov

CALL CENTER – to answer questions regarding COVID-19 is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and can be reached at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

C enters for Disease Control (CDC) website

Official site for the Coronavirus (COVID-19)