Morley moves closer to reopening

Like so many public buildings, Painesville’s Morley Library was forced to shut its doors as a preventative measure to slow the potential spread of the novel coronavirus.

The library, 18 Phelps St., was closed to the public beginning March 14, but has taken a significant step toward a return to normalcy with the beginning of its phase two level for reopening, which started June 24.

Phase two will see limited computer access to patrons within the building with prior appointment. The first phase, which began May 12, restarted the library’s drive-through window to allow patrons to call ahead and request certain items for take-out lending.

The newest phase now allows for limited on-site computer usage. These slots are available only through appointment at 440-352-3383 and may be reserved for one hour per day per patron.

Those entering the building must wear a face mask and any person under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

“As long as that public health emergency is in effect, patrons and staff will be required to wear a mask in building as a precaution,” Morley Library Director Aurora Martinez said in an interview.

“We wanted to prioritize access to computers because that is definitely a significant need in our community, especially with the census, people being out of work and needing to access job applications and unemployment benefits, social services and more,” she added. “We knew that before we open the whole building, we needed to find a way to provide at least some computer access.”

Despite computers being a main focus for phase two, the library’s computers have relocated away from the building’s large computer lab in order to repurpose it as a quarantine area for the materials patrons return. There, each item sits for at least 72 hours to reduce risk of COVID-19 contamination.

“We quarantine everything we get back from patrons,” she added. “It all sits for 72 hours.”

The library’s next challenge will come from phase three, scheduled for July 6. In that phase, the library will allow a limited amount of patrons to enter and use the facility. The sheer size of the building and its multiple levels has provided Martinez and her colleagues plenty to consider.

“We have three floors. We’re still discussing how we want to handle that,” she said. “Are we going to do it per floor, by total number of the whole building? What do we do if everyone goes to the second floor of the building? I think we’re going to break it down per floor.

“Again, it’s all about safety,” she added. “We want people to feel like we’re doing everything we can to maintain an environment where they can relax and enjoy being in a library.”

During phase three, there will be a security guard stationed at the entrance to enforce the capacity limits as well as the facial covering policy.

“If someone is unable or unwilling, we will work with them to find a reasonable accommodation, perhaps bringing their items out to them or through email, but they will not be permitted to enter if they do not have a mask,” Martinez stated.

“We’re really glad that we’re getting to this point,” she added.

“A lot of our patrons have been asking and have been missing the library, and we’ve missed them. Our work isn’t the same when we can’t interact with our patrons. We’re excited to have our patrons and say hello and serve them in person.”

NEWS-HERALD FILE Morley Library has begun phase two of its reopening process.