Safe Reopening Resources
The following is an incomplete list of resources for safe reopening advice and guidelines. Please email us if you have anything you'd like us to add to the list. Consider joining the #LIBREV discussion group for more info and solidarity.
Reopening Guidelines & Phased Plans
- AIHA Reopening Guidance for Libraries
American Industrial Health Association (AIHA)'s worker-centric, specific guidelines tackle everything from HVAC considerations to OSHA-specific training to pushing for a phased, flexible reopening for libraries.
- REALM (Reopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums) Project
"OCLC, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Battelle are conducting research on how long the COVID-19 virus survives on materials that are prevalent in libraries, archives, and museums. The project will draw upon the research to produce authoritative, science-based information on how--or if-- materials can be handled to mitigate exposure to staff and visitors."
- German Library Association Return to Work Plan
This document specifically details how to accommodate safe setup for all kinds of library services, not just collections handling.
- A Phased Reopening Plan for Libraries as COVID 19 Restrictions Are Lifted
Written by a director at a large library system in Idaho, this outlines many different scenarios according to expected stages of recovery, and how libraries can safely respond to them.
- Utah Librares: Plan for Moving Towards Full Service
- Indiana Library Federation: Plan Outline in Phases from Library Closure to Reopening
- Oak Park (IL) Public Library COVID-19 Library Building Reopening: Phased Plan
- Midlothian (Wyoming) Tentative Reopening Plan
Other Resources
- Mitigating COVID-19 When Managing Paper-Based, Circulating, and Other Types of Collections
This webinar from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) presented an overview of the CDC’s guidance for community settings and environmental disinfection, and a discussion of how libraries, archives, and museums can help mitigate COVID-19 when working with paper-based, circulating, and other types of collection
- List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2
All products on this list meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
- Resources for Community- and Faith-Based Leaders from the CDC
Find the CDC's official guidance on planning, preparing, and responding to coronavirus for "community and faith-based leaders." Your mileage may vary with this, but it can't hurt to look at it in crafting your own plans.
- Notes from Library Labor Organzing Call, 4/9/20
Very useful tips for organizing in library environments, particularly during the time of COVID. Includes information about National Labor Relations Act and OSHA protections, advice about how to contact people safely and strategically for solidarity efforts, and hope for folks in right-to-work states.
- Vermont Department of Libraries COVID-19 Information
Resources on the logistics of in-person services, COVID-19 research, and more; includes a
list of questions to consider
for preparedness planning and a
list of ideas
for tasks that can be done via teleworking.
- Work from Home Assignments for Public Library Workers (COVID-19)
Crowdsourced list of tasks for library workers to do while working remotely to help protect against layoffs and furloughs because staff are "doing nothing."
- Why You Shouldn’t Do Curbside During COVID-19
The title basically says it all. This Twitter thread also can help you make the argument.
- Safety Regarding Physical Services in Libraries (presentation)
This presentation is filled with strong arguments to help make a case against physically operating before there is a significant drop in new COVID-19 cases (or treament/vaccines).
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