Berkeley Public Library Response to COVID-19: May Update
Planning for a Phased Reopening
As we enter the next phases of living under the shelter-in-place orders, many Library staff continue to serve the community as Disaster Service Workers.
The Library is supporting the City of Berkeley's Department of Public Health with Covid-19 contact tracing, helping 311 answer public health related questions, and delivering meals to vulnerable populations, among much else.
Other staff have developed a phased reopening plan for Library services that centers staff and patron safety.
This week a new health order was issued by Dr. Hernandez, the City of Berkeley public health officer. Concurrently, the California State Librarian disseminated guidelines from the State which address how to provide access to library resources during this phase of Covid-19 shelter-in-place restrictions. Library staff have been working for the last month to plan for a variety of scenarios and can now move forward!
Preparations for the first phases have begun. One key element is ensuring we have staff and equipment on hand to support Library services with new Covid-19-specific procedures while fulfilling our duties as Disaster Service Workers as well.
We will have more news and updates for you, very soon.
Your comments and support have really boosted staff spirits as we work hard to serve our community through these trying times. Thank you for taking the time to send these notes in, they really have made such a difference!
Here are some examples of recent patron comments:
I would just like to say that I am very proud of the way my city is handling this crisis. I so grateful that Berkeley was part of the early shutdown and salute the library workers who have stepped up to do all kinds of important work to keep us all safe, informed and entertained while we do are part staying at home. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
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Thanks for making more online resources available. I'm especially impressed by Kanopy and Hoopla. Much appreciated!
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This email is to express to all of you that are working and assisting all of us at the library. Thank You! We are immensely grateful for being present and serving the community at the library during this health crisis. Our heart and best wishes of health and wellness goes to you all. Blessings!
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Just a note to sincerely thank the Berkeley Library Staff who are working as Disaster Relief Workers and providing other services to the City during this difficult time.
Although you are not on the front page, you definitely deserve deep appreciation for being on the front line, especially those of you that are helping people who are less fortunate in our community to survive this pandemic and risking your own health to do so. Thank you!!
*** Superheroes of Berkeley = library staff!
Coming Soon: Summer Reading
Summer Reading for Adults, Teens and Children Starts June 15
Stay safe this Summer and read great books! We are working on an online platform and mobile app that will allow you to log your reading, write reviews of the books you love (or love to hate!) and earn entries into prize drawings. More information coming to your inbox, soon...
Expansion of BUSD Sora Access: now K-12
Through a Berkeley Public Library and Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) partnership, BUSD students in grades 3-12 can access e-books and e-audiobooks with their BUSD email address and Overdrive's app, Sora. The app is filled with great reads and even has a font optimized for dyslexic readers.
NEW: Just recently this service was been extended to include K-2 students as well!