Staff Reports
The Bartholomew County Public Library staff has announced that all its locations will return to normal hours beginning June 1.
The library has been operating on a reduced-hour schedule since the beginning of the pandemic.
“The downward trend in COVID spread locally and the increasing numbers of those getting vaccines have allowed us to go back to our regular operating hours,” said library Director Jason Hatton.
Columbus Library hours will be Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Hope Branch Library hours will be Monday and Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
These hours are a slight tweak of the operating hours that have been in existence for many years. As part of the regular review of hours and efficiencies, the Bartholomew County Library Board decided in July 2020 that these new permanent hours would allow the library to best serve the community.
Board members looked at library usage (checkouts, door counts, head counts) at various times of the day to decide when the amount of usage indicated the most appropriate use of staffing and resources.
Also beginning June 1, the library will move to follow the new CDC guidance on masking. While all patrons will be strongly encouraged to continue to wear a mask while inside a library location, the staff will trust that those entering without a mask are fully vaccinated.
Library staff members will still continue to wear a mask and following all safety protocols.
“Though over 90% of our staff are fully vaccinated or have received at least one dose of the vaccine, we know that many of our younger patrons are not able to get vaccinated yet. We want to continue to create as safe of an atmosphere as possible for all of our community. This is why we are continuing to strongly encourage all to wear a mask while in our buildings,” Hatton said.
Tables and computers will still be physically distanced and no large groups will be allowed to congregate. The Conference Room and Red Room will continue to be unavailable for use. All programming will either be conducted outside or virtually, Hatton said.
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For more information about the Bartholomew County Library, visit mybcpl.org/.
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