ALA recognizes that factors impacting libraries' reopening processes will vary based on library type and location, yet there are many common criteria that all libraries will consider, from thoughtful training and phasing-in of onsite services, to health and safety measures that protect staff and community. Decisions about reopening will be made locally. This page is a resource for states and individual libraries planning for reopening. Check back for updates.
Planning for Reopening: A Checklist | Webinars and Programs | ALA Resources | State Planning Documents | International Guides or Resources | Additional Resources
Planning for Reopening: A Checklist
(A downloadable PDF of the checklist is available here.)
Inputs
__ Federal, state, local executive orders
__ Federal, state, local health department guidance
__ REALM Project research findings
__ Federal, state, local government reopening plans
__ Intergovernmental cooperation agreements (formal or informal)
__ Administrative unit plans
__ State library, library association, and consortium guidance
__ Library patron confidentiality laws
__ Board and staff engagement
__ Legal consultation
Considerations
__ Refinement of library policies
__ Facilities cleaning
__ Facilities modifications
__ Protective equipment/supply needs
__ Materials handling
__ Staff training
__ Phased opening of building for staff
__ Phased opening of building for community
__ Prioritized resumption of services
__ Long term program and service adaptations
__ Consortial agreements
__ Internal communications
__ External communications
__ Recalibration/adjustment triggers
Webinars and Programs
Moving Forward: Key Findings from New Libraries' COVID-19 Response Survey (6/12/2020).
The Library Community Moving Forward in the New Normal (6/4/2020).
Looking Forward: Planning for Reopening, a conversation with librarians (4/24/2020)
ALA Resources
AASL Pandemic Resources for School Librarians
ACRL Pandemic Resources for Academic Libraries
ALA ALCTS-Handling Library Materials and Collections During a Pandemic
Libraries as Safe Haven: Disaster Planning Response and Recovery-now available free from the ALA Store
Protecting Privacy in a Pandemic: A Resource Guide from ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom
State Planning Documents
Alabama Public Library Service-Library Reopening Tip Kit
California State Library-Restoring In-Person Services in California’s Libraries
Colorado Library Consortium's Returning to Service: Libraries and COVID-19
Connecticut Libraries Roadmap to Reopening and Recovery
Georgia Regents Public Library Advisory Council-Recommendation for Library Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Indiana Library Federation-Plan Outline in Phases: From Library Closure to Reopening - COVID-19 Global Pandemic
Massachusetts Library System-Reopening Massachusetts Libraries
Maryland State Library-Handing Materials During COVID-19
Missouri State Library-Missouri Libraries Reopening Guidelines
Montana State Library-COVID 19: Reopening and Reentry for Libraries
Nebraska Library Commission-Phased Plan for Reopening of Nebraska Libraries
New Hampshire-Reopening NH Libraries Task Force Best Practices Document
New Jersey State Library-COVID-19 Pandemic Resources and Plan for Library Reopening
New Mexico State Library-Public Services Return to Work/Library Re-Opening Plan
Ohio Library Council-Best Practices for Ohio's Public Libraries under COVID-19
Pennsylvania-Office of Commonwealth Libraries Framework for Reopening Public Libraries
Rhode Island-Ocean State Libraries' Ropening R.I. Libraries
South Carolina State Library-Coronavirus: Reopening Guide for Public Libraries
Texas State Library and Archives Commission-Reopening Libraries: Resource Guide
Utah State Library-Utah Libraries Plan for Moving Towards Full Service
Vermont Department of Libraries-Reopening Information
West Virginia Library Commission-Guidance Statement on Reopening the Library
Wisconsin Guidelines for Opening WI Public Libraries: Timeline
*Please note that some of the state planning documents are working documents, i.e., not final plans.
State Planning Documents for Schools
Indiana Library Federation-Reopening School Libraries Safely
South Carolina Department of Education-Guidance and Recommendations for 2020-21 School Year
International Guidelines or Resources
BiblioSuisse-Model Protection Plan: Reopening Libraries
Netherlands Public Library Association-Phased Opening of Libraries protocol
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)-COVID-19 and the Global Library Field
Additional Resources
American Industrial Hygiene Association Reopening Guidance for Libraries
CDC guidelines and information
Demco-How to Quarantine Books in Your School Library
Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF)-COVID-19 Resource Hub
IMLS Announces COVID Research Partnership (4/22/2020)
IMLS & CDC Webinar (4/2/2020)-Mitigating COVID-19 When Managing Paper-Based, Circulating, and Other Types of Collections
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
US EEOC Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and Americans with Disabilities Act
US Chamber of Commerce State-by-State Business Reopening Guidance
Contact
Megan Cusick
Assistant Director, State Advocacy
mcusick@ala.org