Libraries experiment with opening strategies as they resume services

Area libraries are slowly resuming services as they figure out how to operate in the age of coronavirus.

“People are so excited. Many of them are just grateful to see their librarians in person,” said Marilyn Jenkins, executive director of the Allegheny County Library Network.

The State Library of Pennsylvania recently updated its guidance for local libraries, advising them to open in some capacity by the end of June. There won’t be full-fledged openings — libraries can offer curbside book pickup or open with limited hours. Those that do open will require patrons to wear masks, and large events will be onlineonly for now.

Libraries in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties already are trying different strategies.

Ligonier Valley Library this month started offering curbside pickup. Last week, it opened for two hours on three days and, this week, opened with near-normal operating hours.

The library closes for two hours in the afternoon so staff can sanitize the building, office manager Cherie Massimo said. Morning hours are reserved for senior citizens and people with health issues that make them susceptible to the virus. Staff who can work from home are doing so, and volunteers are not coming in.

At Scottdale Public Library, curbside book pickup began June 1.

“People are so excited to get back in and get books,” Assistant Director Kristy Smith said. “We have people who come every single day to pick up books.”

The library will open two days a week starting next week, with limited hours.

Patrons will be asked to keep their visits to 15 minutes or less.

Events like the summer reading programs will be held online, even when the library is open, Smith said. These programs can draw crowds of as many as 60 kids, making social distancing impossible, but library staff have been working to figure out online alternatives.

“We are still here; we are still serving the community,” Smith said.

Most Allegheny County libraries will have curbside service in place by next week, Jenkins said. “Some libraries are beginning to welcome patrons back into their space, but most have not started that as yet.”

When libraries reopen will depend on how easily they’re able to find personal protective equipment. Some need to rearrange their layouts to promote social distancing.

“It all depends on the ability of the local library to take care of those logistics,” Jenkins said.

It will be a long time before libraries are completely back to normal, said Cesare Muccari, executive director of the Westmoreland County Library Network.

However, he said most area libraries that aren’t already open should be ready to open in some form by the end of the month.

“There’s only one obstacle there could be, if somehow the crisis gets worse or comes back, then we’ve got a problem,” he said. “Other than that, I don’t see it as a problem.”