By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The Wood County District Library will maintain its current hours despite the county moving up to Level 3 on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System Thursday.
Rising into the red on the four-tier system did trigger increased face covering requirements for the county.
It also prompted Library Director Michael Penrod to call an emergency session over Google Meets for the board of trustees to discuss the situation this morning (July 10).
On Tuesday, the library opened to patrons for the first time in almost four months. “Tuesday was a glorious day having people back in the building,” Penrod said.
But given the new situation he asked the trustees if the library should close again and return to curbside pickup and delivery only, and stay closed until the county had dropped back to the second level, orange, and remained there for two to three weeks.
Several trustees said their initial reaction to the news was to do that, but looking further into the situation they decided that the library could remain open.
The county has seen a “significant increase” in cases, and almost 90 percent have been in other than nursing homes or other congregant settings, indicating community spread, Penrod said.
The number of people seeking medical treatment has also increased though hospitalizations have not, and so far the number of deaths has not increased.
“We not panicked, not fearful, but we want to follow good public health guidelines,” he said.
Penrod consulted with county Health Director Ben Batey about the situation.
Batey said that he should pay attention to the overall level, and not try to delve too much into the individual indicators. The library should close down as completely as it was in April if it reached the highest level.
Trustee John Fawcett noted that the city building would be remaining open.
What the state recommends for Level 3, the library is implementing under its modified code of conduct for patrons.
Penrod said that he doesn’t know of any problems with patrons not complying with those guidelines.
As it stands, a limited number of patrons are allowed in the building, and they can only stay for 30 minutes for one visit a day. Anyone over the age of 3 must wear a face covering. Hours are: Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, 3-7 p.m., Friday, 1-5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Curbside pick up is offered Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Trustee Becky Bhaer said those hours should remain for the foreseeable future, and not be increased.
Trustee Ken Frisch said that there’s a Red-plus point that indicates the county is nearing entering into purple territory. That may trigger reclosing the library.
Still, the trustees expressed concern about confusion if the library closed, and then re-opened.
Penrod liken it to a flickering light bulb.
Patrons and staff should have some certainty about when the library was opened.
The library has taken a “slow and steady” approach to opening. It was the last library in Wood County to open to the public. Some have been open since early June. However, the Toledo-Lucas County libraries have yet to reopen.
Penrod said the wild card would be if a staff member tested positive for COVID-19, and Batey ordered the library staff to quarantine. Penrod said one employee a couple weeks ago felt ill and was tested. The test was negative.
Another employee is now out and has been tested. However, the lag time to get results is now 10 days, which means the employee will blow through their entire COVID-related extra sick time waiting for the results.
The trustees will meet next in regular session Monday, July 20, at 4 p.m. in the library.
