Flagler County libraries to reopen May 11 with limited capacity

Palm Coast Observer
News

by: Julie Murphy
Public Information Officer, Flagler County

Flagler County will reopen its libraries in Bunnell and Palm Coast on Monday, May 11, following the state’s Phase 1 guidelines with the addition of making cloth face coverings mandatory.

The main Palm Coast library will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Bunnell Branch will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday only.

“We are very excited to be able to reopen the library to our patrons with some limitations,” said Library Director Holly Albanese. “Everyone entering will be required to have a temperature check and wear facemasks. Use of hand sanitizer is strongly encouraged.”

Library capacity is as follows:

Maximum building capacity of Palm Coast is 500 at 25% = 125

Children’s room is 50 at 25% = 12
Teen Spot is 25 at 25% = 6
DCR room is 46 at 25% = 11
Main area including quiet reading room is 265 at 25% = 66
Meeting Room is 119 at 25% = 30 (closed during Phase 1)

Total allowed in Palm Coast during Phase 1 = 125 – 30 = 95

Maximum building capacity of Bunnell is 50 @ 25% = 12

Due to the requirement of 25% capacity, all activity and seating internally (use of wireless, browsing for materials, photocopying, studying, etc.) will be strictly limited to no more than two hours per day.

“We encourage patrons to quickly find what they need and enjoy their books or other items from the comfort of their own home,” Albanese said.

Services include the following:

Computer use will be limited to a strict time limit of one hour of use per patron per day.
No interactive programs, games, puzzles, or use of our meeting room space will be allowed at this time. Library staff will continue to make available via Facebook and YouTube online videos for story time, crafts and computer related instruction.
Wireless access will be available from the parking lot 24/7.
Curbside service will continue.
Use of virtual/online resources is highly encouraged.
Passport service will be available by appointment only.
No Interlibrary Loan service during Phase 1.
No donations will be accepted at this time.
The Library bookshop will be closed during Phase 1.
Quiet reading room will be closed due to limited capacity.

Information about materials:

Returned items will be quarantined for 24 hours prior to check-in and shelving or redistribution.
Fines will be waived during Phase 1.
Use of gloves when browsing is recommended. Staff will patrol every two hours for material that may have been removed from shelves by a patron. All items found will be put into quarantine for 24 hours.

“However, we cannot be responsible for a patron that looks at an item and places it back in its spot on the shelf,” Albanese said. “Please browse safely with your eyes and not with your hands.”