The Saline County Library has taken extra measures to ensure while open for curbside that contact between staff and patrons as well as between staff and staff has been kept to a minimal, if any. 

Due to an employee recently testing positive for COVID-19, we are closing our buildings effective immediately to thoroughly clean and sanitize. Employees who may have been in contact with the infected employee are in self quarantine and will also be tested. 

For now, our buildings will remain closed until further notice and all areas have been sanitized. We will continue to look at the most effective measures to eliminate contact between staff and patrons and between staff and other staff members. 

Online resources and our eLibrary will still be available to our patrons. 

Updates on the closure status will be posted to our website and on our social media channels as well as emailed directly to our patrons.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

I have picked up items in curbside and/or had a computer reservation. Should I be worried? 

We do not think any patrons should worry at this time. We took all the precautions we could to keep all materials and surfaces clean, and to eliminate patron contact. Our staff members wear gloves when handling materials and wear masks at all times in the building. 
 

What location did the employee test positive work at? 

At this time, this is all the information we have. Our staff go between buildings for deliveries and different projects, so we have decided to close both branches. 

The library is closed but I have books on hold and ready to be picked up. What can I do? 

All holds are being paused and can be picked up when the library reopens. We will send out a notification via email and on our social media channels for any updates. Due dates for materials already checked out have been extended to August 3rd. Online resources and our eLibrary are still available to our patrons. 

My books are due. Will I be fined since the library is closed? 

Due dates for materials already checked out have been extended to August 3rd. 

Are all staff members self-quarantining for the next weeks and is the library going to stay closed for two weeks? 

We took all the precautions we could to keep all materials and surfaces clean, and to eliminate staff and patron contact. Our staff members wore gloves when handling materials and wore masks at all times in the building. Employees who may have been in contact with the infected employee are in self-quarantine and will also be tested. We are also communicating with the Arkansas Department of Health on what we need to do and what steps can be taken to reopen safely. 

When will the library reopen? 

Right now we are planning to be closed until further notice. We are in communications with the Arkansas Department of Health on what we need to do and what steps can be taken to reopen safely. We will abide by any and all restrictions they recommend so we can provide the safest experience possible for our staff and patrons. Changes in opening dates will be sent out through emails to our patrons as well as on our social media channels. Online resources and our eLibrary are still available to our patrons. 

Why has the library decided to stay closed until further notice instead of opening on Monday, July 13th? 

After consulting with the cleaning service, we have decided to change our closing date until further notice so the cleaners have adequate time to properly clean the buildings. We are still in contact with the Arkansas Department of Health and will take the precautions they deem necessary to make sure the building is safe for our staff to return to work, even if that means staying closed for a little longer than anticipated. We are hoping to open back up with limits soon so we can provide resources to our patrons. We will keep updates on our website and social media channels as well as send out email blasts to our patrons. 

Why is the library closing for just one positive case? 

Our actions may seem a bit drastic at first glance but all businesses have been directed by the health department to close if they have an employee test positive so they can clean thoroughly. This is to keep the possible spread of the virus to minimum so no more employees are affected and patrons are not put in any danger. Employees who may have been in contact with the infected employee are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days. This is to see if they start to show symptoms of having the virus and to allow any possible virus cells to die off. 

Even though measures seem a bit like too much sometimes, we are not wanting to take any chances to put our staff or patrons at risk.