Baker County Library Plans Return to “Near-Normal” Operations June 1
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
BAKER COUNTY – (Release from the Baker County Library District) Baker County Library is making plans to resume near-normal operations as of June 1 in the wake of Thursday’s surprise announcements by the CDC and Oregon Governor Brown to relax mask-wearing guidance.
“We do need to stay patient a bit longer while waiting for additional OHA and OSHA policy clarifications and for several staff to reach their fully-vaccinated anniversary,” says Library Director Perry Stokes. “So for now, masks are still required in the library, even for individuals who are fully vaccinated or otherwise have antibodies.”
On June 1 and beyond, the library expects mask wear will be optional for everyone inside the library. “We won’t be policing vaccination cards,” Stokes added. “We will support our visitors’ personal decisions to dress and behave how they like as long as it doesn’t violate our Code of Conduct policy.”
Use of the Library2Go digital catalog or drive-up window service is highly recommended for persons at-risk for a severe COVID-19 infection, or otherwise uncomfortable with the return to normal policy.
The June 1st date will also mark one year since the library first re-opened its doors to library visitors after the lockdown period in early 2020. With UV light sanitation, early adoption of mask wear for staff, and a focus on improvements to indoor air quality with federal CARES Act funding, the library has been able to continue operating through most of the pandemic period and experienced no workplace outbreak. A complete suspension of all physical checkouts including drive-through and curbside services was in effect only for 7 weeks total, from March 28 to May 17 2020. Digital library services were never shut down and saw a surge of demand during the pandemic.
The library administration and staff are all grateful for the community engagement and support this past 15 months and patience in the final stretch.
