Calvert Library Temporarily Reverts to Curbside and Virtual Service Only (press release)

 

Important Announcement from Calvert Library

 

December 31, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
410-535-0291

 

The health and well-being of our community continue to be Calvert Library’s top priorities. Library leadership has been closely monitoring the situation and has decided to temporarily revert to curbside and virtual service only.  According to Calvert Library Executive Director Carrie Willson, “We love seeing our customers among our shelves and at our computers. Calvert Library was the last Maryland library system still offering walk-in access and we expect this to be a much shorter-term closure than our initial one.  Our procedures and safety protocols are sound. However, in light of the increasing positivity numbers in Calvert and the expected holiday surge in cases, for staff and customer safety and peace of mind, Calvert Library will be closing our buildings to the public at 5pm on December 31 and moving to a curbside and virtual-service only model until January 25 at 10am.  We hope that this temporary service restriction will reduce the burden on the hospital and health care providers during this time of rising cases.”

 

All library locations will continue to provide contactless curbside appointments for materials, printing, copying and faxing on the current schedule--Monday-Thursday, 10am to 7pm, Friday, 1-5pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm.  Phone/Zoom reference and reader’s advisory, virtual events and classes and downloadable movies, eBooks, audiobooks and music will continue to be available.  Many of these services are now easily accessible through the Calvert Library app available for both Apple and Android devices in the App/Play Store.  According to Tiffany Sutherland, Reference Supervisor, “Calvert Library will soon be circulating Chromebooks to assist those customers who will not have computer access during the building closure.”  Wi-Fi hotspots will also be available to check out and Wi-Fi continues to be available in all library parking lots.

 

When asked what the greatest impact this service restriction will have on customers, Carrie Willson said, “The main library experience that customers told us they missed when we closed our buildings in March was browsing for materials.  Our receptive and creative staff ran with a customer idea to offer a mini-browsing experience with grab bags via curbside pickup. This has been a very popular service even after we opened the building again.  We’ll certainly keep that service going during this temporary closure and beyond. Though we have only heard minimal concerns about computer access, it is an important library service for marginalized populations.  We expect the Chromebooks that were recently purchased with a grant to help.”

 

Call any Calvert Library location for assistance or appointments. Customers can also follow and interact with library staff on Facebook and Twitter.

 

For the health and safety of others, if you are exhibiting symptoms of a contagious disease, especially coronavirus, please stay home and call your healthcare provider for medical advice.  More information about coronavirus is available in the Research & Learn section of the library website.

 

Call 410-535-0291 or email getanswers@calvertlibrary.info with any reference questions you may have. 

 

###                                                                        

 

 

Robyn Truslow

She/Her/Hers

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info

 

Calvert Library Board of Library Trustee Vacancies-Application due Dec 29

Calvert Library Board of Library Trustee Vacancies

 

December 16, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
410-535-0291

 

Calvert Library announces two pending vacancies on the Calvert Board of Library Trustees (BOLT). All qualified applicants are welcome and all candidates will be assessed using the same criteria.  Applications are accepted through December 29, 2020.

 

The responsibilities of the Board of Library Trustees are established by State Code. The Board is responsible for governance and fiscal oversight; approving library policies and budget and overseeing the work of the Executive Director. The Board is comprised of 7 community members who volunteer their time and support to the library. Officers include President, Vice President and Secretary. Responsibilities include monthly meetings; the board currently meets at 4:00pm on third Tuesdays. Meetings are currently being held virtually on Zoom but are normally held at one of the four library locations. In addition to regular meetings, there is an annual meeting of the Southern Maryland Regional Library Association Corporation that Board members are invited to attend and an annual Citizens for Maryland Libraries meeting generally held on a Saturday in October.

 

Service on the BOLT is a volunteer public office with a normal appointment term of five years.  The open terms are partial terms which begin in January 2021. One ends December 2021 and the other ends December 2022.  Individuals who serve a partial term are eligible for appointment to two additional full terms. As provided for in State law, each term is separate and requires application, nomination by the Board and appointment by the Board of County Commissioners.  Appointment to a term does not create an entitlement to serve more than one term.  All eligible County citizens have equal access to consideration for this privilege.

 

Details and a link to the online application can be found at https://calvertlibrary.info/about-us/board-of-trustees/meet-the-board/. 

 

For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.

###                                            

 

Related Links

 

Robyn Truslow

She/Her/Hers

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info

 

Calvert Library Staff Member news (press release)

 

Calvert Library Staff Member Tests Positive for COVID

 

December 6, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
410-535-0291

 

A member of Calvert Library Prince Frederick staff tested positive for the COVID virus on December 5.  Deep cleaning of the building will take place on Sunday, December 6. The staff member did not have close contact with the public nor work in the public area in the days preceding the positive test.  Staff members who had close contact with the team member in the days prior to the positive test are quarantining for 14 days.  They are able to work from home providing phone and email reference, virtual programming planning and execution, training, etc.

 

The staff member is cooperating with the Department of Health to initiate a contact trace review. Anyone who is determined to have been exposed to the virus will be contacted by the Health Department and provided with further guidance.  Everyone is encouraged to answer calls from the Health Department, especially during a pandemic.

 

Please know that the safety of our staff and the public we serve is our top priority. We will continue to take the proper precautions to promote social distancing and keep our workplaces and equipment clean and sanitized. Remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, avoid touching your face, wear a mask when in public and around individuals who are not members of your immediate household and make sure to practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others.  If you are feeling ill, please stay home.

 

We will continue to work together through this difficult time, and we will continue to keep you informed of any new information over the course of this pandemic.

 

More information call 410-535-0291.

 

###

 

 

 

 

Robyn Truslow

She/Her/Hers

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info