Current Update from the Library Director 3/19/2021

In June when libraries were allowed to reopen to the public, we did so with our staff providing service during all of our regular business hours.  We have maintained that full schedule over the past nine months without reducing hours and without having to close the Library again due to COVID-19.  Because we have operated with caution and great concern for the safety of our staff and the community, our Library is one of the few that is fortunate enough to be in such a position.  Of course we hope to maintain this status and plan to continue moving forward with caution.

Early in this process the Library Administration, with the support of the Library Board, determined what metric would need to be met in Washtenaw County before we could safely move to the next stage in our phased reopening plan.  Because the COVID-19 situation has been so volatile, we still are not near that point.  Recent trends have shown some movement in the right direction, but there has also been a more recent reversal of those trends.  The case numbers in Washtenaw County are much lower than they were during the winter, though they are still not low enough for the Library to move to its next stage of reopening.  Recognizing this, we have updated our phased reopening plan with the addition of an interim stage that would allow some increased access to the building.

Stage 3.5 in the reopening plan would maintain all of our current services and would add the opportunity to make appointments for quick browsing in the building.  Unless conditions worsen, we anticipate moving into this phase beginning April 19th.  More details about appointments will be available before then.

Until then, we remain in Stage 3 of our reopening plan, which includes people coming into the building to pick up materials reserved for them. In addition to this, our staff continues to provide nearly all of our usual services, including a wide variety of virtual programs for all ages, take-and-make craft kits, book discussions, online author visits, reference services by phone and email, remote printing, wifi access on the grounds, and more.

Thank you for helping us keep our community healthy and safe!

Mary Ellen Mulcrone
Library Director

Past Updates from the Library Director

• 10/10/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 6/29/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 6/8/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 6/2/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 5/22/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 5/7/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 4/30/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 4/26/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 4/9/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 4/6/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 3/26/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 3/22/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 3/17/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 3/13/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 3/12/2020 Update from the Library Director
• 3/11/2020 Message from the Library Director

Local Resources

• Saline Area Schools Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
• City of Saline Response to Coronavirus Disease
• Saline Rec Center
• Saline Area Senior Center

County, State, and Federal Resources

• Washtenaw County Health Department
• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention