Plattsburgh Public Library Board votes unanimously to reopen

PLATTSBURGH | After the board voted unanimously to resume operations, a tentative plan was released outlining the phases of reopening for the Plattsburgh Public Library. Set to begin on Aug. 3, Phase One will see only library staff returning. There will be shortened hours to begin, as the staff prepares for limited services to resume. This initial opening is based on the anticipated end of the 90-day furlough imposed on library staff due to a City of Plattsburgh budget resolution. "We will open just for staff for the first portion of the plan to get everyone trained on protocol," said Library Director Anne de la Chapelle. Set to begin the following week of Aug. 10 and concluding on Sept. 7, Phase Two will continue to see the library closed to the public. However, there will be limited "pick-up" services available. "They can call or email a list of materials they would like and we will get their order ready for them to pick up in the lobby," she said. With Phase Three, library staff will resume regular hours - although the building will still be closed to the public until Phase Four on Oct. 13. None of the dates are definite, she said, as the PPL will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and follow any guidelines set by New York State and the CDC. All staff and patrons will be required to wear a mask when in the building, she said, and hand sanitizer will be available at the door. There will be a limit on how many people will be allowed in the building at one time, as well as a limit on how much time patrons can spend there. Library materials will be quarantined for 72 hours when returned in order to limit the spread of the virus. Only select sections of the library will be open to the public during Phase Four, and services will be limited. Mask wearing and social distancing will be mandatory, but there will be no use of periodicals or the desk phone. Meetings, programs, computer use, and loitering will all be forbidden during this time. All desks, chairs, couches, toys, and tables will be removed from public use areas. During this phase, however, patrons can browse materials on the shelves once again and there will be limited Interlibrary Loan services. Phase Four is set to end on Nov. 10. If all goes well, the library will then resume all operations and services which were available prior to the lockdown in March.

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Plattsburgh Public Library Board votes unanimously to reopen

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