Reopening for PDL

Due to Covid-19, we are offering limited services.

For patrons and staff’s safety, everyone will be required to wear a mask while they are in the library unless the individual is medically unable to tolerate a face covering or is a child under the age of five.

Staff will be encouraging patrons to practice social distancing (from those not in their household) by remaining six feet away from others. Our building capacity will be limited to 30 percent.

Open Building Hours:

Monday – Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

Curbside Service Hours:

Monday – Friday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Limiting our open hours will allow staff to take the extra time needed for our new cleaning and item quarantine procedures.

To participate in our Curbside Service, please visit our Curbside Service page.

We will be offering many services we know the community has missed during our building closure, including checking out materials, using public computers or wifi, printing, and making copies. Unfortunately, as we continue to navigate this public health crisis, extended stays or social gatherings will not be permitted. Patrons will be limited to one (1) hour in the building. All computer sessions will be limited to one (1) hour per patron, per day.

Please remember that all returned materials will be quarantined for 96 hours before they will be added back into our collection for checkout as part of our continued safety procedures. All returned materials will be checked in fine-free while we are in a limited-service phase.

During our most recent closure, our building has received a deep cleaning and we have rearranged furniture to meet social distancing standards.

All toys have been removed from the pre-school room; however, pre-school materials will still be accessible. In addition, Library meeting and study rooms will be closed to the public. While there will be no in-person programs until further notice, please check our Facebook, YouTube, and events calendar on our website to enjoy our virtual programs.

Limited Open

The Library is open in a limited capacity.

• Patrons may use the library to check out materials, use the public computers or wifi, and make copies.
• All patrons and staff will be required to wear a mask while they are in the library unless the individual is medically unable to tolerate a face covering or is a child under the age of 5.
• Building capacity will be limited to 30 percent.
• No extended stays or social gatherings are permitted, and patrons may be asked to leave after 1 hour if others are waiting to get in the building.
• All computer sessions are limited to 1 hour per patron, per day.
• Library patrons who do not reside in the same household must maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet at all times.
• Library meeting and study rooms are closed to the public.
• The vending machines and water fountains are unavailable at this time. We are not allowing the consumption of food in the library building.
• All toys have been removed from the preschool room, however, preschool materials will still be accessible.
• There will be no in-person programs until further notice.
• Hours will be shortened to allow staff time to sort and reshelve quarantine materials, clean the Library, and set up for the following day.

Collections that are more likely to spread germs are also unavailable at this time. This includes:

• Newspapers
• Experience Bags
• Discovery Kits
• Telescopes
• Board Games
• Book Discussion Bags
• Give and Take

Heritage Room Rules:
The following changes have been put in place regarding Heritage Room use during this time. Thank you for your understanding and welcome back!

01) Due to the need to follow social distancing, per the Governor’s Executive Order, the Heritage Room will be able to allow only one person or related group (i.e. family) in the Heritage Room at a time. The Heritage Room will remain locked when not in use. To obtain access please ask at the Youth Information Desk and they will be happy to assist you.

02) Due to the need to follow building occupancy guidelines established by the Governor’s Executive Order, time for research in the Heritage Room will be limited to only one (01) hour per day per patron or “group.”

03) Per current guidelines, the Heritage Room can be utilized for Heritage Room research only. It is not to be used for meetings, tutoring, conference calls, or any other non-Heritage Room related activities.

04) Due to the need to de-contaminate library material we ask that any material that you use be placed on the available black cart at the conclusion of your visit. Because of de-contamination issues, certain parts of the Heritage Room collection may be unavailable due to the inability to safely treat said material without damaging it.

05) Due to the need to follow building occupancy guidelines, the Heritage Room Archivist will have limited, fluctuating hours which will be posted next to the door. If you are unable to connect with him in person, please feel free to contact him via phone or email.

Steve Rossio
srossio@portagelibrary.info
(269) 585-8741

Covid-19 Information You Can Use

To learn more about resources related to Covid-19 please click here.