Title
Phoenix Public Library Phased Reopening Plan for In-Building Visits
Description
This report provides an overview on Phoenix Public Library service delivery to the community during the coronavirus pandemic and requests City Council authorization to safely reopen libraries in phases as outlined in this report.
Report
Summary
Response to COVID-19
In early March of 2020, as part of the City's response to the Coronavirus pandemic, Phoenix Public Library closed all 17 book drops and library facilities to in-building visits. All library materials checked out at that time had the check-out period extended by 90 days. In addition, the Library Department transitioned service delivery to virtual platforms including: downloading and streaming eBooks, movies, music, recorded and live streaming of library programs through phoenixpubliclibrary.org. Bookdrops were reopened and Curbside Services were launched at 16 Phoenix Public Library locations in May of 2020 (*South Mountain Community Library - 7050 S. 24th St - remains closed as it is part of the South Mountain Community College campus).
To date Phoenix Public Library has hosted nearly 300,000 Curbside pickups, circulating more than 2.5 million physical items; and 19.2 million visits to phoenixpubliclibrary.org with library customers accessing nearly 5.7 million digital items. Curbside Service, which offers both drive-up and walk-up service, is provided 6 days a week, including three evenings and Saturday mornings, as well as 24/7 access to digital materials and streaming online.
Curbside Service includes:
- Kids' Cafe meals at 9 library locations
- Providing "drop in" book bundles for children, adults and families
- Family friendly MACH1 to-go and hand-on STE/AM and craft kits
- Mobile printing pick up
- Free WiFi in library parking lots (7 days a week, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.)
Phased Reopening of In-Building Visits
As the number of COVID-19 cases in Arizona continue to decline, the Library department began to develop a reopening plan that will increase the number of libraries and services available to residents based on benchmark indicators and thresholds from Arizona Department of Health Services and Maricopa County. Currently, the city of Phoenix is in Orange/Substantial Spread for the number of total new cases per 100,000 (53.24 as of week of March 7 - 13, 2021). In the Orange/Substantial Spread level, library facilities are proposed to open at 25 percent of the permitted public occupancy level. As trends continue downward and the benchmark statistics reach the Yellow/Moderate Spread level, occupancy will be increased to 50 percent of the permitted public occupancy level. Library facilities will continue to operate at 50 percent occupancy with COVID-19 safety protocols until the level of community spread reaches minimal levels.
The services selected for in-building visits equally reflect the need expressed by the community, and prioritized health and safety measures considered for the visiting public and staff. Hours of operation for library locations transitioning to offering in-building visits six days a week, Monday through Saturday, are as follows:
- 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Curbside Service
- 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.: Breakdown of Curbside Service and readiness efforts for in-building visits
- 12:30 - 5:30 p.m.: In-building visits
- Library locations groupings Two and Three will continue with the current Curbside Service and hours (Mon-Sat: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. & Tues-Wed-Thurs evenings, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.) until they transition to offering in-building visits.
Reopening of in-building visits will roll out in three separate library locations groupings. The first group selection is driven primarily by providing geographic coverage throughout Phoenix at larger library locations, and computer & circulation volume. Reopening of in-building visits will be implemented first in Group 1; followed by library locations in Group 2, two weeks later; and finally with Group 3 library locations reopening in-building visits two weeks after the second group of libraries.
Group 1 (Proposed reopening - Monday, April 19th):
- Burton Barr Central Library (1221 N. Central Ave.)
- Agave Library (23550 N. 36th Ave.)
- Cesar Chavez Library (3635 W. Baseline Rd.)
- Cholla Library (10050 Metro Parkway E.)
- Ironwood Library (4333 E. Chandler Blvd.)
- Mesquite Library (4525 E. Paradise Village Parkway N.)
- Palo Verde Library (4402 N. 51st Ave.)
- Desert Broom Library (29710 N. Cave Creek Rd.)
Group 2 (Proposed reopening - Monday, May 3rd):
- Desert Sage (7602 W. Encanto Blvd.)
- Harmon Library (1325 S. 5th Ave.)
- Juniper Library (1825 W. Union Hills Dr.)
- Saguaro Library (2808 N. 46th St.)
Group 3 (Proposed reopening - Monday, May 17th):
- Acacia Library (750 E. Townley Ave.)
- Yucca Library (5648 N. 15th Ave.)
- Century Library (1750 E. Highland Ave.)
- Ocotillo Library (102 W. Southern Ave.)
South Mountain Community Library (7050 S. 24th St.) will be added when the South Mountain Community College Campus is open.
Library Services to be available through Phoenix Public Library
All in-building visits will require a 45-minute appointment. Residents will be able to reserve time slots on phoenixpubliclibrary.org, or through the Library Call Center. Additionally, each location will have a reserved block of time slots in order to accommodate walk-up patrons. In-building visits for Phoenix Public Library customers will provide access to:
- Computer and internet access
- Collection browsing
- Printing, scanning, and copier services
- Library Laptop and WiFi Hotspots lending
- Self-service checkout kiosks
- Signing up for or renewing Phoenix Public Library cards.
Library security will clear each building at the 45-minute mark, allowing 15 minutes of preparation and cleaning for the next reservation block.
Health and Safety Measures
The following COVID-19 safety protocols were reviewed by the City's Public Health Advisors and will be implemented at all Library locations:
- Wearing of face coverings and social distancing throughout each facility required.
- Contact-less infrared temperature screening will be utilized as customers enter each building.
- Installation of health shields at all staff service desks and customer computer workstations.
- Service desks provide contact-less customer service.
- Signage, similar to the "CDC Facilities Entries Survey" will be prominent advising customers that, "If you have experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 48 hours, please do not enter".
- Social distancing at tables and furniture.
- Daily on-site custodial staff to disinfect frequently touched surfaces and restrooms throughout the day.
- Cleaning of computer workstations will occur between each session utilizing CDC recommended cleaning guidelines.
- Abundant availability of disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and disposable masks for customers and staff.
- Implementation of a temporary bag policy limiting one backpack per person.
The Phoenix Public Library website will be updated to inform all patrons of face mask and social distancing requirements as well as other safety protocols while on-site.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Interim Deputy City Manager John Chan, and the Library Department.