MILAN-BERLIN LIBRARY DISTRICT
COVID-19 RESPONSE & REOPENING

September 14, 2020 ** UPDATED **

Due to the Erie County reclassification to Orange Alert Level 2, Milan-Berlin Library District will be reopening its doors to the public effective Friday, September 4, 10AM. Additionally, we will continue to offer curbside pick-up services at this time.

At this time, hours remain Monday-Thursday – 10AM-6PM and Friday-Saturday – 10AM-5PM.

As always, the health and safety of patrons and staff are primary concerns. We hope to continue to return services to our community in a safe and timely manner, and we thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this time.

  • Doors will be open to the public Monday-Thursday, 10AM-6PM, and Friday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM.
  • Each day, the first hour of indoor access (10AM-11AM) will be reserved for seniors and immunocompromised individuals.
  • To protect both patrons and staff members, masks will be required for individuals over the age of 5 when inside the library buildings.
  • Individuals with concerns about masks are encouraged to utilize our curbside service, which will continue to be available during this time.
  • Plexiglass barriers are now in place at the circulation desks and between adult computer stations.
  • High touch surfaces will be disinfected multiple times a day.
  • Difficult to sanitize surfaces, such as upholstered furniture, children’s computer keyboards and mice, toys, etc., have been temporarily removed in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.
  • Returns can be placed in the book drop or in the drop slots at the circulation desk. Items will be quarantined for at least 5 days. Upon check-in, items will be backdated to avoid overdue fees. You will continue to see returned items on your account until they exit quarantine and can be checked in.

Additional Library Information

  • All in-house programs and public room reservations remain cancelled at this time.
  • Local History Room access will be by appointment only at this time. Please contact Rebecca via phone (419-499-4117, ext. 111) or email to set up a session.
  • Newspaper subscriptions are on hold and current releases will not be available for the time being.
  • No contact curbside pickup services remain available Monday-Thursday, 10AM-6PM, and Friday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM.
  • Patrons with fines/lost item fees from before March 15 that are blocking accounts must pay the amount down before checking out materials.
  • We are not currently accepting material donations (books, CDs, DVDs, etc.).
  • Patrons can still access their accounts via the web.
  • Library digital media services such as Libby, OverDrive, Kanopy, and Hoopla will still be available 24/7.
  • Any updates to this information will be posted on this page.

To stay healthy, the CDC and other health agencies recommend:

  1. Washing your hands frequently. Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  3. Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  4. Stay home and away from others if you are sick.
  5. Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces frequently.
  6. Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.

Trusted Information Sources

Sharing accurate information from trusted sources is critical to reduce misinformation. Find reliable and current information about the outbreak from the local and national agencies listed below:

Ohio Department of Health

The Ohio Department of Health maintains a website with up-to-date information on the outbreak, current risk to the public, and links to helpful resources.

https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/Novel-Coronavirus

ODH has also set up a call center to address questions regarding COVID-19. It is open seven days a week from 9 am – 8 pm and can be reached at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

Centers for Disease Control

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has set up a website with a range of information about the current risk to the public, symptoms to watch for, prevention, testing, and advice for schools, communities and businesses.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html