MANSFIELD — The Mansfield/Richland County Public Library will reopen all nine locations beginning Monday, June 22, with restrictions based on the continued guidance of Richland Public Health, Ohio Department of Health, and the CDC.
In addition, the First Call 211 lobby will also re-open to the public on June 22.
All MRCPL locations closed for service on March 17 based on recommended restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 11, MRCPL began Phase 1 of the opening process by welcoming back staff and accepting the return of materials that had been checked out prior to closure.
On May 18, MRCPL began Phase 2 of reopening by offering curbside service to customers while still maintaining the closure of all branches to the public.
Library Director Chris May said Phase 3 begins June 22, re-opening branches for public access with new safety procedures for staff and patrons.
All nine MRCPL locations will be open with temporary modified hours:
— Main library hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 AM-6 PM; Friday, 10 AM-5 PM; and Sunday, 10 AM-2 PM.
— Branch Libraries hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10 AM-6 PM; Wednesday, Friday, 10 AM-5 PM; and Saturday, 10 AM-2 PM.
— First Call 211 lobby hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM-4 PM.
Library branches will be managed with a maximum capacity of 50 percent inside the building, monitored by library staff to ensure occupancy levels.
MRCPL completed installation of Plexiglass shields at high-traffic customer service areas, hand sanitizing stations, and floor markers to ensure the safety of patrons and employees.
Some library services that require close person-to-person interaction or present concerns about maintaining sanitized surfaces will not be offered at this time.
Leisure reading, studying, and meeting at the library will be discouraged during Phase 3. Study rooms and meeting rooms will remain closed to the public. Passport and notary services are suspended until further notice. All in-person programming remains canceled during this phase as well.
MRCPL’s curbside service will remain temporarily available to patrons at each location. Through this service, library patrons put books on hold via the Library website and pick them up at their local branch via curbside pick-up service.
MRCPL is also announcing additional curbside services, as well as some new virtual programming being offered this summer. Visit the library website for more information.
Limited public computer service will be available at all nine locations. In-depth, one-on-one assistance will not be available due to social distancing guidelines. Stations will be sanitized after each use.
All library staff will be required to follow safety and health guidelines recommended by Richland Public Health and the Ohio Department of Health.
The library asks patrons refrain from coming to the library if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, that they wear a face covering while in the library, and that children ages 12 and under are accompanied by an adult at all times.
As always, MRCPL offers 24/7 access to online resources including eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, learning databases, and much more via the use of a diigital services eCard.
