Last updated: July 30, 2020
RAILS will use this Pulse Page to keep our members informed about the latest developments with COVID-19.
The Latest News
RAILS & RAILS Libraries
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 6/22/20) and Item Flowchart (updated 7/8/20)
RAILS Plans to Resume Delivery - June 2020 (updated 6/22/20)
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 6/22/20) 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
- Updated guidance on OMA and FOIA during the COVID-19 Pandemic (7-2-20)
- Chicago And Illinois Plan To Move To Phase 4
- State of Illinois Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Executive Orders
- Restore Illinois Phase 3 Offices Guidelines
- 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)
- Illinois Five Phase Plan (5/5/20)
- Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to Stop New Workers Compensation Rules (Municipal Minute) (4/24/20)
- Gov. Pritzker Announces Modified Stay at Home Order Will Be Extended Through May to Continue Progress (4/23/20)
- 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
- Pritzker set to extend stay-at-home order through April (Chicago Sun Times 3/31/20)
- Conducting Open Meetings during COVID-19 (Municipal Minute) (3/31/20)
- Details about the Governor's Shelter in Place Order (Municipal Minute) (3/23/20)
- Launch of website dedicated to COVID-19 information at coronavirus.illinois.gov (3/19/20)
- Pritzker authorizes remote meetings for local governments, public bodies (3/17/20)
- Guidance on OMA & FOIA (3/18/20)
- COVID-19 Response by County
- Chicago COVID Resource Finder
- Illinois Library Association - Coronavirus Resources – includes an FAQ on Libraries and the Coronavirus and other resources
- Illinois Department of Public Health website
- Illinois State Board of Education: Coronavirus (Covid-19) Updates And Resources
National/International News
-
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
-
REALM Project update: Round 1 material testing underway: Five items commonly found in public libraries have been selected for initial lab testing to determine the length of time the COVID-19 virus may live on the surface of these materials. Testing began May 13, 2020 using materials provided to Battelle by Columbus Metropolitan Library, and the results of this first round are expected to be released mid-June. For more information on this first round of testing and other activities, visit the project update page. For more on the scope, timeline, and committees involved with #REALMproject, visit oc.lc/realm-project.
-
ALA Libraries Respond: COVID-19 Survey Results
-
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)
-
PLA: Public Libraries Respond to COVID-19: Survey of Response & Activities
-
Hackers Are Exploiting Zoom's Newfound Popularity Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
- ALA Executive Board Recommends Closing Libraries to the Public (3/17/20)
- The Internet is drowning in COVID-19-related malware and phishing scams (3/17/20)
General Information/Guidelines
- RAILS Minute - RAILS has launched a weekly video series, RAILS Minute, featuring RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan. These brief videos will focus on how RAILS is responding to COVID-19 related library issues. June 9, June 2, May 27, May 19, May 12, May 4, April 28,
-
RAILS (UPDATED 6/22/20) Guidelines for Libraries Considering Curbside Service and/or Phased Reopening
-
RAILS is inviting libraries interested in using 3D printers to assist making PPE for health care facilities to add their information to the RAILS Libraries: 3D Printing for the Health Field spreadsheet. More information.
- 3D Printing for the Health Field & Libraries webinar held on 4/8/20, video recording
- Suggested Policy and Guidelines from HR Source
Surveys/Member Feedback
- Current Library Reopening Status Survey
- See results here. (Note: Map will be completed July 1, 2020)
- Service Area Map (last updated 6/30/2020)
- Essential Actions and Services During COVID-19 Survey:
Libraries are uniquely positioned to protect the health and safety of the residents of Illinois. In our effort to identify the essential services that libraries are providing through the COVID-19 crisis, please indicate the essential actions your library is performing during this period of general building closure by the governor's order. See results here. - Virtual Services Survey:
Please supply us with information about what virtual services and programs your library is offering during building closure via our survey. See results here. - RAILS Member COVID-19 Response Survey – all RAILS members are encouraged to complete this survey. See results here.
- The Impact of COVID-19 Related Closures on Library E-Content Usage
Discounts/Member Offers & Opportunities
- ConverSight LIBRO Curbside Pick Up - Curbside Service Software. Pricing and details are outlined on the RAILS Deals and Discounts page.
- Unique Curbside Communicator - Curbside Service Software. Pricing and details are outlined on the RAILS Deals and Discounts page.
- PPE and Protective Gear is available to order through Team One. As a federal government contractor, Team One has access to PPE products such as masks, gloves and a very unique kiosk from HP. Pricing and details are outlined in the RAILS Team One PPE brochure and on the RAILS Deals and Discounts page.
- Zoom - RAILS is offering networking groups the opportunity to have their own Zoom meeting license. RAILS has a limited number of licenses that can be used for networking groups that meet on a regular basis. Application for Zoom account.
- Many vendors and companies are offering free products or special pricing due to the impact of COVID-19. RAILS has compiled lists of free or deeply discounted e-content resources, free educational resources, and virtual tours/entertainment.
- RAILS also offers up to $500 per fiscal year of subsidized conference calling service to established member networking groups.
RAILS Member Updates
RAILS will offer regular member update sessions via Zoom as needed.
RAILS Member Update July 23, 2020, 11:00 a.m. Chat text (unedited) OCLC REALM Project presentation
- RAILS Member Update - June 4, 2020 (YouTube) - Chat text (unedited)
- RAILS Special Member Update - April 16, 2020 (YouTube) - Chat text (unedited)
- RAILS Special Member Update - March 30, 2020 (YouTube)- Chat Text - Edited/Categorized
- RAILS Emergency Member Update - March 16, 2020 (YouTube) - Chat Text - Edited/Categorized
- RAILS will also offer other informational and networking events online. See Related Events listing below.
- RAILS will make recorded versions of these events available on the RAILS YouTube page as possible.
- Share your re-opening plans. Email your plans to us at stacy.palmisano@railslibraries.info.
- Complete the Essential Actions and Services During COVID-19 survey. See results here.
- Complete the Virtual Services and Programs survey. See result here.
- Post library policies related to COVID-19 in the Safety section of the online Library Policies Repository on the RAILS website.
- List of Library Reopening Plans
- Collection Toolkit from Canada Urban Libraries Council
- Arlington Heights Memorial Library COVID-19 Story Project
- Schaumburg Township District Library's notice of a confirmed COVID patron example (added 03/25/20)
- Gail Borden Public Library District's bilingual closure communication to library examples (added 03/25/20)
- Work from Home Activities & Resources for Library Workers - Started by Skokie Public Library (added 03/19/20)
- Coronavirus facts and more web page – Oak Park Public Library (added 3/11/20)
- Pandemic Response Procedures – Vernon Area Public Library District (added 3/11/20)
Cleaning/PPE
- Deep Cleaning List: The companies provided offer deep cleaning services. This list is for your convenience and not to be taken as an endorsement by RAILS.
- COVID-19: How Long Does the Coronavirus Last on Surfaces? (BBC)
-
COVID-19 PPE Donations (Americorps Illinois)
-
How to Sanitize Collections in a Pandemic (American Libraries)
-
Disinfecting Books and Other Collections -Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC)
-
Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (EPA)
Health Organizations: CDC/WHO
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website
- World Health Organization website
- OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Library Business/Staffing
- EEOC What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws
- EEOC GUIDANCE on the Impact of the ADA on COVID-19 Preventative Measures
- Academic Library Response to COVID-19 (Library Journal)
- Serving Patrons Experiencing Homelessness in a COVID-19 Shutdown (Programming Librarian)
- Illinois Municipal League: COVID-19 FAQs and Resources for Municipalities
- Conducting Board Meetings During a Shelter-in-Place Order (Illinois Heartland Library System)
- Social Distancing Guidelines at Work , Coronavirus Resources - SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)
Library Organizations
- COVID-19 and CARLI: Latest Updates
- Institute of Museum and Library Services - COVID-19 Resources for Libraries and Museums
- American Libraries, "Reopening: Not 'When', but 'How'?" from 4/17/20
Travel
Other
- Pandemic Resources for School Librarians
- Get Smart About COVID-19 Misinformation (News Literacy Project)
-
Rural Public WiFi Access Micro Grants from PLA and Microsoft: Available to public libraries serving rural communities
-
To Restore Civil Society, Start With the Library, (The New York Times article)
- Log in to post comments
Comments
Add a comment about what your library is doing below (including web pages, special activities, policies, etc.)
Hollis Sienkiewicz replied on Permalink
All Schaumburg Township District Library locations are closed beginning March 13 at 5 p.m. We anticipate reopening on Monday, March 30. Complete info on our website: https://www.schaumburglibrary.org/about/news/coronavirus
Monica Chavez replied on Permalink
Here's a link to the latest update from Skokie Public Library: https://skokielibrary.info/blog/223/covid-19/
Alex Vancina replied on Permalink
Helen Plum Library is canceling all programs through April 3:
https://www.helenplum.org/helen-plum-library-cancels-programs-support-covid-19-prevention-efforts
Jennifer Drinka replied on Permalink
Antioch Public Library District has canceled programs and room reservations from March 13 through March 31 for large groups and vulnerable populations. We will implement social distancing in programs that we do run (i.e. spreading chairs 6' apart) and stop serving refreshments. In addition:
Victoria Muraiti replied on Permalink
The River Forest Public Library will be closed March 14th-29th.
Shannon Halikias replied on Permalink
The Sugar Grove Library remains open at this time (as a reminder we are always closed on Friday) but has issued a cancellation for all programs, events, and meetings through the end of March. You may view the full press release on our web page or Facebook.
Su Reynders replied on Permalink
The Mount Prospect Public Library will be closed March 15, reopening (hopefully!) on Monday March 30.
Jill Shevokas replied on Permalink
The board of trustees for the Oglesby Public Library District have decided to close the library at 5pm today, March 13, with a tentative reopen date of April 1.
http://oglesbylibrary.org/oglesby-public-library-closed-3-13-2020-at-5pm-until-4-1-2020/
Jennifer Drinka replied on Permalink
Antioch Library closed March 14-31.
Laura Van Cleve replied on Permalink
Richton Park will be closed starting Monday, March 16th through March 31st.
Pages