Wake County to quarantine books, require masks for kids as more libraries reopen
Wake County announced more library reopenings and COVID-19 precautions Friday, including a 72-hour quarantine for returned books.
Cameron Village and West will open Monday, Nov. 16, and Cary and North will follow Monday, Nov. 23, according to a county news release.
Four public libraries in Wake County have already reopened with restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Southeast Regional Library in Garner, Northeast Regional Library in Raleigh, Eva Perry Regional Library in Apex, and East Regional Library in Knightdale are now open.
The public should limit visits to 15 to 30 minutes, and all visitors will have their temperature taken upon entering, the county said.
East and Southeast libraries are limiting computer usage to 30 minutes per person per day. The other libraries are not allowing any computer usage.
Staff at each location will wear masks, and commonly touched surfaces will be sanitized regularly, the county said.
Other library locations will continue to offer Books on the Go, a contact-free service that lets people reserve up to 30 items and pick them up by appointment.
Lounge furniture, tables and chairs have been removed, and meeting rooms, quiet study rooms, newspapers and magazines will not be offered, according to a news release. Computers will be available at some libraries, but use will be limited to 30 minutes.
Here is a list of changes that visitors will see, and some they won’t, when they now enter the libraries, according to Friday’s news release.
- Visitors will have their temperature taken and be asked a series of questions before they may enter.
- Librarians will staff greeter stations to answer questions and provide directions.
- Everyone 5 and older will be required to wear a mask.
- Library staff will wear masks and undergo health screenings each day.
- Social distancing will be enforced.
- Capacity will be limited.
- Environmental controls, such as plexiglass shields, stanchions, floor decals, new air filters and signage, will be in place.
- Staff will clean high-touch areas regularly, and hand sanitizer will be available for all customers.
- Library books will be quarantined for 72 hours upon return, and book donations will remain suspended.
Durham County
Durham County is expanding Library Take Out! hours for its regional and branch libraries, it announced Tuesday.
From Tuesday through Friday, the service will be available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturday, it will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service will be closed on Sunday and Monday.
Library Take Out!, in place since June, lets people call to reserve books and schedule an appointment to pick them up.
Find full instructions at DurhamCountyLibrary.org/TakeOut.
Chapel Hill Public Library
The Chapel Hill Public Library is currently offering curbside pick-up only.
People can reserve books and other items online, then call 919-932-2942 to schedule an appointment.
Visitors should park at the library at their appointment time and walk to the main entrance, wearing a mask, where a staff member will assist them.
This story was originally published November 10, 2020 at 5:29 PM.