Glenashley Library reopens under strict Covid-19 regulations
The news has been welcomed by residents and staff of the library who say public libraries are at the heart of SA's community.
FOLLOWING a lengthy closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Glenashley Library has finally reopened its doors to the public, albeit under strict Covid guidelines and protocols.
The news has been welcomed by residents and staff of the library who say public libraries are at the heart of SA’s community.
Speaking to Northglen News on the new guidelines, librarian Yashica Moodley, explained her staff were taking all precautions to keep patrons safe.
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“All libraries across eThekwini have a Standard Operating Procedure and each of us have had to tweak the procedures and guidelines based on size and space.”
“At Glenashley we only allow 15 people at a time, eight of those spaces are reserved for staff (both upstairs and downstairs). If you are entering the library, you are required to wear a mask, sign in, sanitise and have your temperature checked by the security guards.
“Patrons are allowed 15 minutes in the library and unfortunately in level 1 lockdown, you can’t sit down to study or to read to your children. Many of our patrons will notice that the chairs in our children’s section have been placed on top of the tables with a sign saying do not touch. My staff and I have been meticulous in trying to keep the community safe and every day, before we open and after we close, we take every precaution possible. We sanitise surfaces and books to keep everyone safe,” she said.
Moodley also touched on the policy when a patron returns their book/s.
Read also: Durban North Library starts new chapter after lockdown closure
“Each library establishes an isolation area for returned books. Staff can’t physically touch the books and when patrons return them at our counter, they must open their own books so we can scan them in. They then place the books on a trolley. The returned books are then kept in a designated area and quarantined for at least 72 hours. After the time period has expired all books are wiped with a disinfectant and put back onto the shelves,” she said.
She added loans are restricted to books only and that no audio visual, talking books, toys or video games will be issued on loan. The library is open from 9am to 4pm daily.
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