Libraries back in business

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Libraries throughout the region are beginning to reopen with varying levels of service after being shut down statewide due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There’s more to reopening than just unlocking the doors and following social distancing guidelines. Marilyn Jenkins, executive director of the Allegheny County Library Association, noted that while libraries were closed, materials have been stacking up, waiting to be processed.

“It’s almost like a hand-crank machine. In order to get things started, it takes a lot of energy to get going,” Jenkins said.

There are 38 independent libraries operating under the Allegheny County Library Association, sharing a variety of resources, but each with its own staff and independent board of directors. Carnegie Library of McKeesport is one of the libraries in the Allegheny County system. The entire staff at that library was laid off as part of the closure. 

Jenkins said each library will need to be deep cleaned and sanitized, modifications made for proper social distancing, new materials cataloged and materials that have been requested delivered to each library and processed.

“We estimate on average about two weeks for all of that to happen,” Jenkins said. “We anticipate by early or mid-June that we would have things operational enough for curbside service.” 

Jenkins said curbside service will include pre-ordered materials and take-away bags for summer reading programs, with various organizations throughout the county sponsoring a week of a virtual summer reading program.

The Westmoreland Library Network includes the Monessen, Rostraver and Belle Vernon libraries. Monessen Public Library director Dave Zilka said the facility will begin curbside service June 8.

“We’re not going to have people come into the library the first week,” he said. “People who placed holds, we will start calling them and people can start placing new orders.” 

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