Phased Reopening Plan
Thomas Township Library

Introduction
The Library has developed the following progressive plan to gradually resume in-person services for the patrons of the Thomas Township Library. These plans should be considered fluid as we follow requirements and recommendations from the State of Michigan, Saginaw County Health Department and the CDC.

We have developed phases that will gradually increase service offerings to the public and at the same time protect the health and safety of library staff and patrons. These phases allow us to increase services when appropriate, and also to take a step back if necessary. The time frame to implement these phases is flexible, as each phase will expand when it is safe to do so.

EMPLOYEE SCREENING:
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to reduce the risk of possible exposure when entering the building, employees are required to complete a daily health checklist provided the Saginaw County Health Department. Staff is encouraged to stay home if showing any symptoms of COVID-19 or if another person in the household is showing symptoms or has tested positive. Staff are required to wear masks in public areas and if they are within six feet of a coworker, if medically tolerated.

PPE:
Masks and Gloves are available for staff. Staff may wear cloth masks that are worn for one day and then washed prior to reusing.
Face shields have been ordered.
Sneeze guards have been constructed.
Social distancing floor decals have been ordered for the circulation area.
The procurement of disinfecting cleaners, antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer is ongoing.

RETURN OF LIBRARY MATERIALS:
Currently all library materials being returned must be placed in the temporary outside book return. The return is available between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Staff will be onsite to empty the return. As we move through the phases the temporary book return will be removed and the chute to the inside drop will be unlocked. Returned items will be quarantined for 96 hours. They will be enclosed in plastic bags and labeled with the date and time when the 96 hour quarantine will be lifted. The materials will be wiped with a disinfectant solution, checked in and fines removed from items due back to the Library since February 1st or after. Lost or damaged fees apply. Materials will be shelved.

PHASE ONE: THE RETURN OF CHECKED OUT MATERIALS
Starting on Monday, June 8th a temporary book return will be placed outside of the main entry doors for the return of checked out library materials. Patrons that have items checked out since February 1st, 2020 or after will be notified by mail. Limited staff in the building.

PHASE TWO: CURBSIDE SERVICE* Starts June 29th, 2020
Registered patrons will be able to place holds on items they are requesting by using our Follett Destiny Online Catalog at (www.thomastownshiplibrary.org). If you have not created an online account yet click on “Create an Account” and follow the prompts.  Need help?  Call us at 989 781-3770. Requests can also be made by calling 989 781-3260 between 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday thru Thursday, and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Please have your list of titles and authors ready when calling. The limit is 10 items per patron. On Monday through Friday a minimum of 48 hours is required for pick up. Saturday requests will be ready on the following Monday. Staff will pull, check out, and place the requested items in a bag with the patron’s name. At the scheduled pick up time the patron will call into the building at 989 781-3770 to inform staff they have arrived. Staff will place their bag on the table outside of the main entry doors. After staff re-enters the building the patron may pick up their bag. Due to the quarantining of materials all returns must be put in the book return. Staff will not take returns directly from patrons and do not place them on the table. To minimize personal contact new library cards will not be issued during this time. MEL interlibrary loan service will resume.  Returned materials will continue to be quarantined for 96 hours before they are checked in.

PHASE THREE:  NOW OFFERING INSIDE APPTS. FOR CHECKING OUT MATERIALS, OBTAINING REPLACEMENT OR NEW LIBRARY CARDS, INTERLIBRARY LOAN REQUESTS, FAXING, PHOTOCOPYING, COMPUTER USE.  Wearing a mask and social distancing is required in all public areas of building. Based on MDHHS Epidemic Order children under 2 yrs. old are not required to wear a mask.  It is highly encouraged that children from 2 to 4 yrs. old wear a mask, and children 5 yrs. and older wear a mask in all areas of the the building.   Call 989 781-3770 to schedule an appointment.  Please let staff know what service you are requesting and how many persons will be accompanying you.  There are separate schedules for the adult reading room, children’s room and computer use.  Appointments are 30 minutes in length, with the exception of computer use.  It is helpful if you are prompt as there may be other patrons scheduled directly after you.  If unable to keep your appointment call to let us know, so that your time allotment can be filled by another person.  Canceled appointments may be rescheduled for the same day, based on availability.  Adult reading room, Monday thru Thursday appointments are are scheduled from 10:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Friday – Saturday times are from 10:15 to 3:30 p.m.  Place all checked out items in the outside book return.  The 96 hours of quarantine for all returned items is in effect.  Seating the the library is limited.  All toys have been put away.  Curbside service will continue for your convenience.  Computer Use:  Computer Room A is available for word processing and Internet searching in 45 minute blocks.  Scheduling can be done on a weekly basis, with a maximum of one appointment per day, and a total of two appointments per week per person.  If there are vacancies, additional weekly appts. can be made starting on Wednedays after 4:00 p.m. for Thursday through Saturday of that week.  Please be on time for your appt.  Your block of time will not be extended if another person is scheduled after you. If you are more than 20 minutes late and have not notified the library, your appt. may be forfeited if another person is waiting.  If you are unable to keep your appt., please call to cancel.  Your mask must remain on and one person may occupy the room.  Paper can be purchased at the main desk for $0.10 per page.  If you do not have an Internet Policy Form on file bring your MI Driver’s License or State of MI ID to complete the form.  All minors must have a form on file, signed by a parent or legal guardian and be accompanied by such person.   

PHASE FOUR: BUILDING REOPENING AT 25% CAPACITY* Phase Two and Three Guidelines still apply.  Signs will be posted requesting patrons wear masks for the safety of staff, other patrons and themselves.
Please make your materials selections in a timely manner to allow for other patrons to enter the building.
Social distancing markers will be placed on the floor in the circulation lobby.
Social distancing signs and directional arrows will be posted throughout public areas of the building.
Acrylic shields will be installed at the circulation desk.
The interior set of entry doors will be propped open to reduce touchpoints (based on weather conditions).
Doors to staff areas will remain closed.
Furniture will be arranged to allow for social distancing; seating will be reduced/eliminated, tables may be rearranged or eliminated.
Computer use will be limited to 45 minutes.  In the children’s room either the Awe computer or the Internet computer will be in use at any one time.
Staff will make copies for patrons.
The meeting room will be closed and used for storing furniture removed from the public reading rooms.
Restroom capacity will be limited to one adult and one child from the same family, or one adult.
Toys will put away.
The drinking fountain will be turned off.
The building will be cleaned each morning before opening by staff maintenance, and primary touchpoints will be sanitized during the day by staff.

PHASE FIVE: BUILDING REOPENING AT 50% CAPACITY*
All Phase Two, Three and Four guidelines apply.

PHASE SIX: BUSINESS AS USUAL*
Table and seating will be brought back.
All Internet and word processing computers will be available.
The meeting room will be back in use.
Programming will resume.
The drinking fountain will be turned on.
Acrylic shields may remain in place.
*There is no defined timeline for these phases or content as their implementation will depend upon the Governor’s Executive Orders, and guidelines from the Saginaw County Health Department and CDC.