Mahomet Public Library to reopen on June 8

The Mahomet Public Library will reopen its doors after being closed for 84 days on June 8. 

The library board met in special session Wednesday to approve plans for a re-opening with reduced hours and services. 

“Our plans are designed to reduce the risk to our staff and patrons as much as possible,” the Mahomet Public Library Director website says. “We regret that this includes discouraging our patrons from lingering in the library.”

The library will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for elderly and high-risk patrons only. The library will be open to others from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Patrons and staff will be required to wear face masks while in the building. Those who cannot wear a mask are asked to contact the library so that library materials can be placed in a pickup locker.

The library is also asking that people who have symptoms associated with COVID-19 to not come into the library. Materials can be requested and placed in a locker.

Additionally, the Mahomet Public Library will put returned items from all patrons  into quarantine before they are placed back on the shelves. 

Guests are asked to keep at least six-feet distance from other patrons who are not within a family unit while inside the library. Prior to opening, staff will mark off waiting spots leading up to the circulation counter, which will receive a protective shield. Self-service stations will be open as usual.

Library staff will clean touch screens, counters, keyboards and mice, and bathroom surfaces after every shift.

Public computers will be positioned for public distancing standards, and each patron will be limited to 30-minute use. Private computers brought in by guests are allowed, but the library asked that furniture remains in place. 

Furniture has been arranged to allow a few people to work on personal computers, but patrons will be discouraged from sitting and reading or visiting.

Because of capacity limitations, the Mahomet Public Library is asking families to limit the number of members who visit at the same time. 

All summer programming at the library will be virtual during the summer of 2020. Meeting rooms continue to be closed, toys and puzzles in the children’s area have been removed and the Keurig station has been removed for now. 

“This has been a difficult time for everyone,” the board wrote in a statement. “We appreciate the patience the public has had with us as we have responded to this very unusual situation, and we hope that the reopening of the library doors, even in a limited way, helps all of our patrons feel a bit more normal and that we can continue to enrich each other’s lives and our community.”