2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

RAILS will use this Pulse Page to keep our members informed about the latest developments with COVID-19.

The Latest News

RAILS & RAILS Libraries

RAILS Voluntary COVID-19 Vaccination Program Policy (6/21/21)

FAQ Masks and Vaccines in the Bridge Phase

This FAQ about current masking best practice was compiled with help from Ancel Glink about library responses during the Bridge Phase (updated 6/2/21)

RAILS Ends Delivery Quarantine Requirement

The decision to reduce quarantine time for RAILS delivery is based on the information below.

• Delivery Quarantine Ends (updated 4/7/21)
• RAILS Delivery Safety Precautions (2/12/21)
• Updated Advice on Handling Library Materials during COVID-19 Pandemic – State Library of Oregon (October 5, 2020)
• Updated Quarantining Information – Vermont Department of Libraries (November 3, 2020)
• Covid-19 Rarely Spreads Through Surfaces? So Why Are We Still Deep Cleaning – Nature (Jan 29, 2021)
• It's Time to Talk About COVID-19 and Surfaces Again – Wired (Oct 20, 2021)

Current Library Reopening Status Survey:

RAILS wants to help members keep up-to-date on other libraries' reopening plans. We will provide a reporting tool and service area map for you to review results and compare peer libraries beginning July 1. If/when your service offerings change, please fill out this form again. Only your most up-to-date information will display in the results.

RAILS Delivery FAQ (updated 10/26/20)

RAILS members with delivery questions/concerns can email railsdelivery@railslibraries.info. Send your message from the email address used for your Library Learning (L2) account to have it routed to the correct RAILS service center.

• RAILS (updated 8/26/20) Guidelines for Libraries Considering Curbside Service and/or Phased Reopening
• Initial guidance from RAILS' attorney on modified Stay at Home Order. This information is based on limited information that we will update once the final order is released. (4/24/20)
• The RAILS Burr Ridge service center will be closed until further notice. RAILS staff are working remotely. Find contact information for RAILS staff.

Illinois News

• GRANT OPPORTUNITIES: The Secretary of State/Illinois State Library is pleased to announce three new competitive grant offerings available to public libraries and academic libraries. Applications are due August 15, 2021. Awards will be paid based on reimbursement. If you have questions, contact the Illinois State Library, Library Development Group at isl_grants@ilsos.gov (note the underscore between isl_grants) or by phone 217-524-8836 or 800-665-5576 ext. 2.

  • Bouncing Back from the Pandemic: Developing Resources for the Local Workforce grant

  • Expanding Digital Inclusion: Transforming Library Services grant

  • On the Road to Recovery: Transforming Library Spaces grant

• ARPA Funding for Illinois Libraries (ILA 6/3/21)
• Vaccine Eligibility for Libraries in Illinois Counties (ILA) (2/2/21)
• COVID 19 Vaccinations for Library Employees by Julie Tappendorf, Ancel Glink, (1/28/21) (slides) (RAILS Member Update recording)
• Restore Illinois – Mitigation Plan Update Tier Rollback Update (1/15/2021)
• ILA Supports Vaccine Eligibility for Library Staff (1/12/21)
• Secretary of State and State Librarian's Legal Counsel's Office: The meaning of "local governmental entities" cited in the DCEO's guidance for libraries (below FAQ) that "The operations of libraries are at the discretion of local governmental entities." According to the Secretary of State Legal Counsel, "The local governmental entity is the public library board for a library district organized under the Public Library District Act of 1991 (75 ILCSA 16/1-1 et seq.) and the public library board, in consultation with the corporate authority, for a library organized under the Local Library Act (75 ICLS 5/1-1 et seq.)." Additional information can be found here: 11/23/2020 ILA Legislative update update
• Updated guidance on OMA and FOIA during the COVID-19 Pandemic (7-2-20)
• State of Illinois Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Executive Orders
• FEMA Public Assistance Program Applicant Briefing published by IEMA
• Illinois Stay-at-Home Order and Libraries: ILA Statement on Governor Pritzker's "Restore Illinois" Plan (5/8/20)
• Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to Stop New Workers Compensation Rules (Municipal Minute) (4/24/20)
• Workers' Compensation New Rule for COVID-19 Claims (Municipal Minute) (4/14/20)
• Libraries and FEMA/IEMA Funding: Public Assistance (PA) FEMA funds via the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). Public libraries and public library districts ARE eligible! Fact Sheet , Public Assistance Grant , Comprehensive information, Steps and Forms
• Launch of website dedicated to COVID-19 information at coronavirus.illinois.gov (3/19/20)
• COVID-19 Response by County
• Chicago COVID Resource Finder
• ​Illinois Department of Public Health website
• Illinois State Board of Education: Coronavirus (Covid-19) Updates And Resources

National/International News

• One year later: Perspectives from the field: Leaders in the library, archives and museum community share the experience of their organizations navigating through the pandemic, the evolution of policies and what's on the horizon.

• REALM Project: What We've Learned and What's Next, Hanging Together blog post

• REALM Project: Research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation. View briefing here.

• REALM Project Update: New Toolkit and Other Resources: The Realm Project released a new toolkit, including visual aids and videos to help support the interpretation and use of REALM laboratory research. (March 2021). Toolkit includes downloadable visual aids and video resources.

• REALM Project update: Test 6 Results: Testing for infectious COVID-19 virus on these five materials: glass, marble, laminate, brass, and powder-coated steel

• REALM Project update: Test 5 Results: Results and systematic literature review findings

• REALM Project update: Test 4 Results: Results show that after six days of quarantine the SARS-CoV-2 virus was still detected on all five materials tested.

• REALM Project update: Test 3 Results: Several types of plastic were included in this test.

• REALM Project update: Test 2 Results: Natural attenuation as a decontamination approach for SARS-CoV-2 on five additional library materials (7-20-20)

• Reopening: Guidance for Libraries created by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Back to Work Safely slides from ALA Conference webinar created by AIHA

• REALM Project update: Test 1 Results: Natural attenuation as a decontamination approach for SARS-CoV-2 on five library materials (6-22-20)

• REALM Project update: Systematic literature review released (6/17/20) For more information visit oc.lc/realm-project

• Virus 'does not spread easily' from contaminated surfaces or animals, revised CDC website states, The Washington Post, (5/21/20)

• IMLS/OCLC/Battelle: Launches new website, Reopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM), a COVID-19 research project information hub(5/12/20)

• Libraries Contemplate Re-Opening (PLA 4/27/20)

• IMLS: COVID-19 Research Partnership to Inform Safe Handling of Collections, Reopening Practices for Libraries, Museums (4/22/20)

• Libraries Fight Misinformation on Coronavirus (4/6/20)

• Hackers Are Exploiting Zoom's Newfound Popularity Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

• The Internet is drowning in COVID-19-related malware and phishing scams (3/17/20)