Tue, Sep 26th, 2023 - 11:29pm
July 03, 2020 - 1:36pm | By Chris Larson
The West Fargo Public Library will reopen to the public Monday, July 13.
“We are excited to reopen our facility and continue to serve the community,” said Carissa Hansen, Library Director. “In the interest of public safety, the library has a number of measures in place like modified hours and social distancing protocols.”
The library’s modified hours will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and closed on Sundays until Labor Day weekend. From 10 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, the library is devoting one hour of time to accommodate seniors over the age of 65 or high-risk individuals. Other patrons are encouraged to wait until 11 a.m. to visit the library.
While visiting the library, patrons are encouraged to wear face coverings, sanitize frequently, help maintain the cleanliness of the library, and follow social distancing protocols as defined by the CDC. To help encourage this, disposable masks are available to patrons upon entering the building. Sanitation stations are available throughout the library and wipes are available for patrons using tables and computer areas.
Additionally, library furniture has been rearranged and there is limited seating available. Floor markings are placed throughout the library to help patrons keep 6 feet of distance from each other. The library is not taking reservations for meeting rooms until further notice.
Computer access is limited throughout the library to help facilitate social distancing as well. Use of computers is limited to two hours of use per patron per day. Laptops are available for in-library use only for library cardholders. Patrons can also bring their own devices and use the library’s free public Wi-Fi.
To further accommodate social distancing, plexiglass has been installed at the service desk and access to library staff may be limited at times. Patrons are encouraged to check out items using the library’s self-checkout machine. For those looking for one-on-one assistance, the library is still offering job search, unemployment, census and genealogy assistance by appointment. Those interested in this service can sign up for an appointment online at calendly.com/westfargopubliclibrary.
Curbside pickup, a temporary measure to provide service during the library’s closure, will end Friday, July 10. Once the library reopens, in-library, contactless pickup will be available. Patrons can take advantage of this service by placing holds via phone, email, online catalog or the book bundles request form.. Patrons may retrieve their held items from the designated shelf in the library and use the self-checkout machine to check out the items.
Through a partnership with the Little Red Reading Bus, the West Fargo Public Library will continue to provide curbside delivery of children’s book bundles through July 31. Patrons who live within the West Fargo School District boundary can place holds using the book bundle request form and have books delivered directly to their homes on Wednesday nights between 5 and 8 p.m.
Programs and events like storytimes, craft tutorials and author talks will remain virtual until at least July 31. Patrons are encouraged to continue to track reading hours for the Summer Reading Program digitally through the library’s Beanstack site at westfargolibrary.beanstack.org.
Summer Reading Program craft and activity kits are still available to patrons, but will no longer be reserved in advance. Instead, patrons can visit the library and pick up kits while supplies last from a designated table in the library.
The West Fargo Public Library continues to work closely with fellow City of West Fargo departments to monitor the situation surrounding COVID-19 and to devise plans for response that are in the best interest of public safety, while continuing to provide public services.
