Dear Library Community,
Spring is a time for new beginnings, and I am thrilled that on April 26 and 27, nearly all our libraries will open their doors to welcome the public inside for the first time in more than a year.
Please be assured that the health and safety of you, our community, and staff remains our most important service priority. Not only have the specifics of the new Grab & Go service model received approval from the County Health Officer, but we have also followed all the guidelines provided by the County’s Risk Management department for safely reopening. An industrial hygienist has assessed each community library and made recommendations for safe social distances for patrons and staff, removal of chairs, and HVAC adjustments. We also worked closely with our city partners and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to determine the occupancy numbers for each library. Those numbers will be posted at the entrance to each community library.
Though we will no longer be able to provide Front Door Service at libraries opening to the public, we have made sure that you can enter the library and complete your checkouts quickly and safely. Sanitizing wipes will be placed at each self-check machine and hand sanitizer will be available in multiple locations in each library. If you need or would like to interact with Library staff, you can either stand six feet apart or speak to staff while they are behind the plexiglass barrier at the service desk.
As of March 12, Library staff became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and many have already scheduled appointments or received their first or even both doses. The more people who are vaccinated, the safer our libraries will be for everyone. Please don’t hesitate to schedule your vaccine appointment!
We know you have missed being able to come inside and we are looking forward to welcoming you back very soon.
Sincerely,
Alison McKee
County Librarian
To read more about Grab & Go service and the safety protocols in the library, visit ccclib.org/libraries-reopen/.
