Library adapting to life in a new normal

The Coeur d’Alene Public Library is getting back into the swing of things.

Staff has said the June 1 opening was a welcome sight for employees and guests alike.

“Library managers spent hours and hours preparing the staff ... to offer realistic library services in the safest environment we could,” director Bette Ammon said. “Last week, we spent a lot of time training, arranging — putting away — furniture, marking floors and more. Staff mood is good; I think they are pleased to be back doing what we do best.”

Staff members rotate each day outside the library doors, greeting guests while keeping a count of how many people come and go, making sure building capacity stays at 50 in an effort to promote social distancing.

“We also offer hand sanitizer and masks,” staffer Cheryl Christiansen said as she took a turn as a greeter Friday afternoon. “They don’t have to, but it’s here if they want it.”

For the time being, the library is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. That first hour on Monday is dedicated to vulnerable residents. Upon arrival, after walking past the double-doors, visitors are greeted by a giant black curtain blocking the staircase, preventing guests from venturing downstairs.

Communications coordinator David Townsend said patrons should also prepare for a staff striving for a hands-free posture.

“The patrons will find that we are asking them to be very cautious of contact with other patrons and the staff,” he said. “We are all masked and using Plexiglas barriers where necessary. Patrons will find it is definitely to their advantage to bring in their physical library card or to have their number memorized. We are trying to make this as contactless as possible.”

The greeter station out front is a temporary precaution, Ammon said, one she and the library board plan to eventually phase out if COVID-19 infection rates remain low. It’s one of the few changes she said she was willing to predict.

“Primarily, I want to be flexible if we need to dial back services,” Ammon said. “My cloudy crystal ball says that if all circumstances warrant, we’ll likely move back to full service — seven days a week and four evenings a week, the children’s library opening, meeting rooms available — on July 6.”

But she added some changes the library has made might become part of the new normal.

“We’ll continue to be focused on wiping surfaces down regularly,” Ammon said. “Staff who want to wear masks can certainly do so. We’re not sure if we’ll continue quarantining returned items for three days; we’ll be looking at CDC and Panhandle Health recommendations on that. And ultimately the library board of directors will guide our plan going forward.”