HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Public Library patrons will now be able to browse the stacks and use the public computers beginning July 8. In a continuing effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Reno County, the library will provide special hours of operation to limit in-person contact and allow for cleaning. All of the “no-touch” services, such as the Library Material Pick Up Service, will still be available as preferred methods of accessing the library.
New hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, and on Sundays, the library will be closed.
Library staff ask that patrons wear masks, especially if they want help outside of the service desk. While in the library, patrons will also be asked to maintain a distance of 6 feet away from staff and other patrons, and limit in-person contact by limiting time spent in the library.
Gregg Wamsley, Hutchinson Public Library Director, states, “The health and safety of our patrons, staff, and the community at large is our highest priority during this uncertain time. Our main goal is to strengthen our community by continuing to provide as much access as possible and the best library service possible while keeping everyone safe.”
Some of the safety procedures for staff include wearing masks, cleaning high-touch surfaces frequently, and quarantining materials. Patrons are required to return all materials in the 24-hour book drop behind the library as part of their quarantine process. Staff quarantine materials in the library’s garage for 5 days before wiping them with virucide and then returning items to the shelves for check out. Materials handled inside the library, such as magazines, are to be placed on designated book carts for quarantine purposes.
“The library is a vital service in Hutchinson’s recovery efforts,” says Wamsley. “There were many services we’ve had to rethink how to proceed. We always strive to strengthen our community in a variety of ways including providing access to learning new job skills, job searching, assisting with research, small business development, and, of course, children’s learning programs. And, we are still able to do these services, but now it is in a different, safer way.”
As public health and safety recommendations allow, the library will work toward a gradual reopening of more areas and services including opening meeting rooms and appointment times for the Makerspace and Reference computers.
For more information about Hutchinson Public Library’s reopening process, visit their website at www.hutchpl.org or call 620-663-5441.
If you are sick, please stay home.
For the health and safety of others, please be thoughtful about coming into the library if you are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms. Please do your part to stop the spread of germs and disease.