As we plan for our September return to school and are in the process of writing specific guidelines for safely opening the libraries for students nursery through grade twelve we are faced with the undeniable fact that safety guidelines in this current pandemic are not always in keeping with the open collaborative and flexible spaces we have designed and encouraged. Our program goals have always included equitable access to information and ideas. We are committed to teaching students to take a critical stance when finding and meeting their information needs in all of its mediated forms. My personal philosophy about being a school librarian is that we are not gatekeepers but guides. Our pivot to emergency remote teaching was successful because of our service attitude, creating everything from resource guides, booklists, tutorials, and online classes to one-to-one meetings with teachers and students to continue to provide service at an unpredictable time. Our response and services were predictable in that they were daily, consistent, easy to find, and people-oriented.
We are a department that has fostered open, flexible, and collaborative learning spaces. Now we are challenged to find new and physically safe ways to continue to promote this interactive philosophy. Under the current circumstances, I think our work shines in the online world and in a distance learning setting even as we creatively consider new ways to deliver service to our entire student body in a physically changing facility. We are committed to making the libraries safe for everyone. Our best work and most equitable and accessible library presence will continue to be online even as our doors open to a changed and challenging environment.
COVID POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
This will be an unusual year. In order to support the health and safety of the entire community, many of the library’s previous offerings will be on hold. In addition, the library has instituted these policies and procedures. As the year progresses, other adjustments may occur. Any changes or updates to these policies will be posted at the library entrance.
Entrance and Exit Policies - The library’s COVID-19 capacity will be determined by the Library Staff in consultation with the Healthy Task Force
Before school - *check with each division librarian for specific before school procedures
During the school day - Students will come to the libraries with scheduled classes. * check with division librarians for specific details of independent user access to the library during the school day,
After school - The library will not be open after school.
Entrance and Exit Procedures
Entry - Library users will be asked to follow protocols in each space for entering and leaving the library: eg. Information Commons, enter through the double doors, leave through the single exit door from the Buchanan Room
Hand sanitizing upon entry - Students will be asked to sanitize their hands with hand sanitizer supplied at the entrance to each library
Cloth masks - Students will be expected to have cloth masks on in the library at all times. This includes individual workspaces as well as the book stacks and instructional areas.
Social distancing - Students will be expected to maintain a 6-ft social distance when facing others in the library.
Furniture and barriers - Please do not remove any plexiglass barriers put in place throughout the library or rearrange furniture as these have been placed to best support social distancing.
Exit - Students will exit through the marked exit doors: eg. enter the Lower School Library through the double doors, exit through the story room door.
Class Reservations - Teachers are encouraged to reserve library space for their classes as they have in the past. Please follow these additional guidelines:
Partial class reservations - Teachers can reserve student slots for up to half of their class to enter the library during a given period and with the understanding that these students will have support from the library staff while visiting. For best results, teachers should meet with the librarian two weeks prior to the scheduled classes in addition to reserving the space.
Whole class reservations - Teachers can reserve work areas in the library for whole-class instruction and collaboration with the library staff. For best results, teachers should meet with the librarian two weeks prior to the class visits in addition to reserving the space. *consult with each division librarian to determine if a whole class visit can be accommodated by space restrictions.
Cleaning and Sanitation - Throughout the day, the library staff will sanitize high touch surfaces at the beginning of each period and at intervals throughout the day as possible. In addition, we hope the library users will help in the following areas:
Student tables and work areas - In the Upper School-Library users will be expected to wipe down tables and chairs in their workspace BEFORE sitting down to begin working Appropriate cleaning supplies will be provided. Students will be asked to wipe down tables and chairs in their workspace again prior to leaving.
In the Lower and Middle School: The Library staff will clean high touch surfaces such as tabletops and doors after each class throughout the day and will close for a deep cleaning hour to ensure all high-touch and work surfaces have been cleaned according to the Healthy Taskforce guidelines.
Bathrooms - Library users will be expected to follow sanitation guidelines set by the Healthy Taskforce for Bathrooms
Borrowing books and browsing
Checking out books - Self-checkout will currently not be available. We are currently updating our procedures to fit with best practices for staying safe. e.g. Lower and Middle School students will request books through a Google Form. Books will be checked out and delivered to the student's homeroom.
Returned books - As books are returned, they will be placed in quarantine for a minimum of 72 hours. After this time, books will be shelved and placed back into circulation.
Browsing - Library users are encouraged to browse our books virtually through our online library catalog. We will also provide additional curated lists. If one must look at books, library patrons will be asked to wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer before browsing the collection.
Students will be required to bring their own devices, either personal or supplied by the school to the library for class and independent work
Before school - *check with each division librarian for specific before school procedures
During the school day - Students will come to the libraries with scheduled classes. * check with division librarians for specific details of independent user access to the library during the school day,
After school - The library will not be open after school.
Entry - Library users will be asked to follow protocols in each space for entering and leaving the library: eg. Information Commons, enter through the double doors, leave through the single exit door from the Buchanan Room
Hand sanitizing upon entry - Students will be asked to sanitize their hands with hand sanitizer supplied at the entrance to each library
Cloth masks - Students will be expected to have cloth masks on in the library at all times. This includes individual workspaces as well as the book stacks and instructional areas.
Social distancing - Students will be expected to maintain a 6-ft social distance when facing others in the library.
Furniture and barriers - Please do not remove any plexiglass barriers put in place throughout the library or rearrange furniture as these have been placed to best support social distancing.
Exit - Students will exit through the marked exit doors: eg. enter the Lower School Library through the double doors, exit through the story room door.
Partial class reservations - Teachers can reserve student slots for up to half of their class to enter the library during a given period and with the understanding that these students will have support from the library staff while visiting. For best results, teachers should meet with the librarian two weeks prior to the scheduled classes in addition to reserving the space.
Whole class reservations - Teachers can reserve work areas in the library for whole-class instruction and collaboration with the library staff. For best results, teachers should meet with the librarian two weeks prior to the class visits in addition to reserving the space. *consult with each division librarian to determine if a whole class visit can be accommodated by space restrictions.
Student tables and work areas - In the Upper School-Library users will be expected to wipe down tables and chairs in their workspace BEFORE sitting down to begin working Appropriate cleaning supplies will be provided. Students will be asked to wipe down tables and chairs in their workspace again prior to leaving.
In the Lower and Middle School: The Library staff will clean high touch surfaces such as tabletops and doors after each class throughout the day and will close for a deep cleaning hour to ensure all high-touch and work surfaces have been cleaned according to the Healthy Taskforce guidelines.
Bathrooms - Library users will be expected to follow sanitation guidelines set by the Healthy Taskforce for Bathrooms
Checking out books - Self-checkout will currently not be available. We are currently updating our procedures to fit with best practices for staying safe. e.g. Lower and Middle School students will request books through a Google Form. Books will be checked out and delivered to the student's homeroom.
Returned books - As books are returned, they will be placed in quarantine for a minimum of 72 hours. After this time, books will be shelved and placed back into circulation.
Browsing - Library users are encouraged to browse our books virtually through our online library catalog. We will also provide additional curated lists. If one must look at books, library patrons will be asked to wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer before browsing the collection.
Students will be required to bring their own devices, either personal or supplied by the school to the library for class and independent work