HANCOCK COUNTY — Everyone knows to be quiet in the library, but the silence in local libraries these past two months has been deafening.
With state mandates keeping libraries closed since mid-March, bookworms everywhere have been longing for the day they reopen. That day is inching closer.
After Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a revised timeline on Friday, May 1, for gradually reopening public gathering spaces, the Hancock County Public Library responded by announcing it would begin offering curbside service on May 18.
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The Fortville-Vernon Township Public Library announced on Facebook that it would remain closed until May 18 but encouraged patrons to check back for further details on what that reopening would entail.
Decisions on when to fully reopen the buildings to patrons have not been made.
It’s been an ongoing game of wait-and-see for local library directors, who have been closely monitoring state guidelines to gauge when and how services can be resumed. Under the second stage of the governor’s “Back on Track” plan, libraries were allowed to phase in reopenings starting this week.
Dave Gray, director of the Hancock County Public Library, has been preparing his staff to start accepting and sanitizing returned items starting Monday, May 11, when its automated book return kiosks reopen for service.
Both of the library’s branches, in Greenfield and New Palestine, closed to patrons on March 17, as an increasing number of gathering spaces started closing down as the state moved toward lockdown in response to the pandemic.
The library also closed its automated book returns that day, waiving late fees and directing patrons to hold on to their items until further notice.
Throughout the closure, both the Fortville and Hancock County libraries continued offering digital services like e-books, audio-books, movies, TV shows, music and learning tools, adding extra online features like story times and crafts.
Gray said his staff has worked to stay engaged with the community throughout the closure, offering account assistance, reading recommendations and card renewals by phone and online.
On May 1, when Gov. Eric Holcomb announced plans to gradually reopen the state, the Hancock County Public Library responded on Facebook that its staff was developing a plan to start curbside service soon. In the meantime, a contracted cleaning crew has been busy sanitizing both branches from top to bottom.
On Monday, May 4, the Fortville library assured patrons on Facebook that its staff was busy preparing for the eventual reopening.
“The building may be closed, but we are continuing to work hard to ensure a safe and healthy environment when we reopen. We are in close contact with the Indiana Library Federation and the Indiana State Library to make sure we are complying with all state, federal and CDC mandates,” the post read.
“We are also working on several changes to better serve our community including a new Circulation/Reference desk and going to a statewide catalog system known as Evergreen, which will greatly expand availability of materials for our patrons. We hope you will come in and check out these changes when we reopen,” the post continued.
At the Hancock County Public Library, the first step to reopening is processing and sanitizing returned items that have been out of circulation for weeks now, said Gray.
“We are having staff start to get back into the building and starting to process materials. There are certain guidelines you have to adhere to with different materials, and we anticipate getting quite a bit of stuff back, so it will take some time,” he said.
When curbside service begins, patrons can place holds and have them delivered to their cars outside both Hancock Public Library branches, which will also serve as voting centers for the June 2 primary election. Early voting will take place May 26-June 1.
Gray said the library’s digital services have always been popular but have been used more than ever since the library closed.
After it closed, patrons were invited to use the library’s WiFi for free from the branch parking lots.
“We moved our access points around and moved some equipment to make it extend into the parking lot as far as possible,” said Gray, who has seen up to half-dozen cars parked outside at once, with patrons accessing the service.
While it’s unprecedented that public libraries would be forced to close for so long, Gray said the long-term closure has seemed to make patrons voice even more appreciation for library services.
“Everyone seems to be really appreciative of the services we’re providing, and many seem anxious to see us reopen. We’ve had parents tell us that their kids have been really excited to see different people doing online story time for us. We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback,” he said.
Ironically, Gray said his staff has been busier than ever since the library closed. “We still have bills coming through, board meetings and just trying to stay on top of everything as the guidelines change. We’ve been really busy just across the board trying to get everything done,” he said.
Book-loving patrons throughout the county are no doubt eager to see the libraries reopen their doors.
“When the library board and library director give us the OK, we will very much look forward to organizing the next book sale,” said Bob Buenger, president of the Friends of the Hancock County Public Library organization.
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The Hancock County Public Library and the Fortville/Vernon Township Public Library are planning limited openings on May 18. In Greenfield and New Palestine, HCPL will establish curbside service. Patrons will be able to reserve materials online or using the library’s app and will be able to pick them up. The Fortville library has not announced its plans yet.
HCPL patrons can begin returning items to branches starting Monday, May 11. Late fees will be waived.
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