Re-opening Plans and Guidelines In Response to COVID-19

On November 18th, 2020, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed Executive Order 2020-968, issuing new restrictions to control the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.  Based on the new Healthy at Work guidelines, Trimble County Public Library has decided to take these steps:

• The library will remain open to the public.  However, only 10 visitors will be allowed in the building at a time.
• The library will be open Monday to Friday from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm.
• Computer use, copy and print services, and fax services will remain available.
• Notary services will be available on a limited basis.  Please call us at 502-255-7362 to schedule this service so that we can make sure a notary public will be on duty to serve you.
• It is highly recommended that all patrons use our curbside service to reserve books and DVDs for check out.  Visit our catalog site at https://trimblelibrary.booksys.net/opac/tcpl/index.html and log in with your library card to reserve items.  Please call us at 502-255-7362 if you need help reserving items.

These changes will go into effect at 5:00 pm on Friday, November 20th and will last until further notice.

Check out what the library has been doing and the procedures that are in place to ensure your safety!  Re-Opening Plan

Nevertheless, please understand that wherever there are people there is an inherent risk of contracting the coronavirus. We can only act to reduce risk, not eliminate it. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we adjust to meet the Governor’s Healthy at Work guidelines.

The buildings will have reduced maximum occupancy to adhere to the guidelines and to allow for social distancing. We ask that you limit your visit with us to one hour so that others may also use the library.

You will be able to come in to apply for a new library card or upgrade your digital patron card during open hours. You will also be able to browse items to check out, drop off documents for our document shredding service, send faxes, print/scan documents, and use the public computers.

We are available by phone or email to answer any library-related questions that you may have. 

Safety Guidelines

• We ask that you do not enter the building if you are sick or have been within the last 48 hours.
• High-touch surfaces such as computer keyboards, door handles, and tabletops will be disinfected frequently throughout the day.
  
• Protective guards are installed at our patron services and information services desks.
  
• Much of our seating will be removed to allow more room for social distancing. A limited number of chairs, tables and seating areas will be available.
• There will be floor markers to help guide you in social distancing.
• We encourage you to use hand sanitizer stations upon entering and when leaving our buildings.
• Please consider wearing a mask. All staff will wear a mask while in the building to protect you.  Please consider wearing one to protect them. 
• Staff members will be screened before reporting for duty.
  
• We ask that families stick together when in the buildings. Children should be with an adult at all times.
  
• All returned items will continue to be held in quarantine for 7 days to reduce the potential for contamination.
  
• All toys in our children’s areas will be removed.
  

Can I check out items and is it safe?

• All items that are returned to the library will be quarantined for 7 days and sanitized before checked in and being returned to the shelves. 
  
• Customers can check out books, DVDs, audios, etc.  A few hard to clean items will not be available.  
  

Computers and Mobile Devices

• A reduced number of desktop computers will be available to allow for social distancing.
• Laptops will be available to use.
• All computer use will be limited to one hour per visit.
• Customers can bring their own mobile devices but we ask that you limit your time in the building to 1 hour.
  

Can I donate used books at this time?

• The library is not accepting donations of books or other items at this time.  
  

Will library programs be held? 

• All in-person programs have been cancelled until further notice.  All programs will be provided through online venues at this time.
  

Can I reserve a meeting room?

• At this time, outside reservations will not be able to reserve meeting room space.  Currently, all meeting room space is being used to store furniture to comply with state guidelines.  
  

Outreach Services

• Customers who are homebound can sign up for items to be delivered to their homes.  Deliveries to assistant centers and nursing homes have been discontinued at this time.  
  

Printing, Faxing, and Scanning Services

• You will be able to print, copy, scan and fax documents.
  
• You can use your computer, smartphone, or tablet to send a printing request from home to the following email:  info@trimblelibrary. In the email, request in the email that the files be printed and who will pick up the copies.  Emails and any downloaded information are deleted after printing is complete.  
  
• We will not offer technology training appointments at this time.