Library Director John Chidester Provides Library Guidelines in Response to Covid-19
Updated 2/10/21
The Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, Fredericktown Community Library, the Gambier Library, and the Danville Public Library are moving to curbside only.
Main will operate Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, and Closed on Sunday.
Fredericktown will operate Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and closed on Sunday.
Gambier will operate Monday-Friday, 1:00 PM-5:00 PM.
Danville Public Library will be open Monday, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM & 4:00-8:00 PM, Tuesday- Friday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Closed Sunday.
Free Wi-Fi access is available at all our library locations.
Staff must take and record their temperature on arrival each day they work. Thorough cleaning and sanitizing is being conducted every day by building services staff. Circulation and reference staff will also be asked to spray the public restrooms with disinfectant at appropriate intervals throughout the day. Gloves should be used when working with items recently handled by patrons.
At this time we are still holding materials for 4 days before checking them in. The results of the Battelle study show that the novel Corona virus is undetectable on 5 different types of library materials after 3 days. Once the incubation period is over, we will clean the items, check them in and have them ready to go to the next patron. Currently, we are fine free except for the cost of replacements should an item be lost, stolen or never returned.
Six feet of social distancing will be required. Library staff will wear face masks or, optionally, face shields when in public areas and/or in presence of public. As of November 20, citizens in all Ohio counties will be under a mandatory mask order while out in public.
Masks must be worn at all times when:
- At an indoor location that’s not a residence.
- Outdoors, when unable to keep 6ft social distance from those not in your household.
- When waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation -taxi, car service, private rideshare.
All current orders remain in effect until the State of Emergency declared by the Governor no longer exists, or the Director of the Ohio Department of Health lifts or modifies the order. Masks will be offered to those who do not have them but would like them. Use of hand sanitizer will also be encouraged and offered.
The Library will also continue to service patrons’ needs through social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), phone and email (plmvkcohio@gmail.com) and will still provide wifi access to the internet accessible from its parking lots, including the Gambier facility.
All of the Library’s digital and online resources can be accessed through its website: www.knox.net/online-services.
Programming will remain online by social media and the Library website. In-person programming may be resumed at a later date, to be announced. Booking of meeting rooms for public use will not be resumed until a later date, to be announced.
Pickup for craft bags will be available curbside as well. Be sure to ask for one. Check out all our content on social media.
We are still not accepting donations of books and other library materials until a later date, with the limited exception of some items donated specifically to the Genealogy room.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to let us know. We appreciate your consideration and patience as we navigate these times. Thank you. Stay well.
Main will operate Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, and Closed on Sunday.
Fredericktown will operate Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and closed on Sunday.
Gambier will operate Monday-Friday, 1:00 PM-5:00 PM.
Danville Public Library will be open Monday, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM & 4:00-8:00 PM, Tuesday- Friday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Closed Sunday.
Free Wi-Fi access is available at all our library locations.
Staff must take and record their temperature on arrival each day they work. Thorough cleaning and sanitizing is being conducted every day by building services staff. Circulation and reference staff will also be asked to spray the public restrooms with disinfectant at appropriate intervals throughout the day. Gloves should be used when working with items recently handled by patrons.
At this time we are still holding materials for 4 days before checking them in. The results of the Battelle study show that the novel Corona virus is undetectable on 5 different types of library materials after 3 days. Once the incubation period is over, we will clean the items, check them in and have them ready to go to the next patron. Currently, we are fine free except for the cost of replacements should an item be lost, stolen or never returned.
Six feet of social distancing will be required. Library staff will wear face masks or, optionally, face shields when in public areas and/or in presence of public. As of November 20, citizens in all Ohio counties will be under a mandatory mask order while out in public.
Masks must be worn at all times when:
- At an indoor location that’s not a residence.
- Outdoors, when unable to keep 6ft social distance from those not in your household.
- When waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation -taxi, car service, private rideshare.
All current orders remain in effect until the State of Emergency declared by the Governor no longer exists, or the Director of the Ohio Department of Health lifts or modifies the order. Masks will be offered to those who do not have them but would like them. Use of hand sanitizer will also be encouraged and offered.
The Library will also continue to service patrons’ needs through social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), phone and email (plmvkcohio@gmail.com) and will still provide wifi access to the internet accessible from its parking lots, including the Gambier facility.
All of the Library’s digital and online resources can be accessed through its website: www.knox.net/online-services.
Programming will remain online by social media and the Library website. In-person programming may be resumed at a later date, to be announced. Booking of meeting rooms for public use will not be resumed until a later date, to be announced.
Pickup for craft bags will be available curbside as well. Be sure to ask for one. Check out all our content on social media.
We are still not accepting donations of books and other library materials until a later date, with the limited exception of some items donated specifically to the Genealogy room.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to let us know. We appreciate your consideration and patience as we navigate these times. Thank you. Stay well.