NMPL Plans to Re-Open Building to Public on June 15th

Library Hopes to Open June 15th...

​With the support of the Library Board and the Wabash County Health Department, the North Manchester Public Library plans to re-open the building to the public Monday, June 15th. This date will coincide with Stage 4 of the Governor's Back On Track Indiana plan. 

“We will be utilizing social distancing practices to keep patrons and staff safe,” says Library Director, Diane Randall. 

The library will open with the following modified schedule:
Mondays: 11am-12pm - Seniors & Immunocompromised Hour; 12pm-6pm - General Public
(Computers Open at 11am and Close at 5:30pm) 
Tuesdays: 11am-12pm - Seniors & Immunocompromised Hour; 12pm-6pm - General Public
(Computers Open at 11am and Close at 5:30pm) 
Wednesdays: 11am-12pm - Seniors & Immunocompromised Hour; 12pm-6pm - General Public
(Computers Open at 11am and Close at 5:30pm) 
Thursdays: 11am-12pm - Seniors & Immunocompromised Hour; 12pm-6pm - General Public
(Computers Open at 11am and Close at 5:30pm) 
Fridays: 11am-12pm - Seniors & Immunocompromised Hour; 12pm-3pm - General Public
(Computers Open at 11am and Close at 2:30pm) 

The library will limit the number of adult department computers available to ensure that social distancing recommendations are followed. The children’s department playroom and computer area will remain closed. During this stage, children will also need to be accompanied by a parent or caregiver when visiting the library. 

"The Children's Department will be open to families looking for books, magazines, audiobooks, and DVDs to check out,” shared Sarah Morbitzer, Children’s Department Manager. “Summer Reading participants will also be able to pick up their section prizes.  However, the playroom and children's computer lab will remain closed until further notice.  All programming will continue to take place virtually via Zoom and the Library's Facebook page while we are in Stage 4.  We have really missed our patrons and are eager to begin welcoming them back to the library as we slowly re-open!" 

Staff will wear personal protective equipment and the library has purchased sneeze guards to place at all circulation desks. Following CDC guidelines, the library will continue to disinfect and quarantine all returned items, as well as maintaining elevated cleaning and sanitizing procedures of public areas. Sanitizer stations will be set up all over the library for patron use. 

While the library is not requiring patrons to wear PPE, patrons are encouraged to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines when visiting the library. 

Even after re-opening, the library will continue to offer Curbside Services and Document Days. “We’ve had such a fantastic response from the community on these convenient services,” said Jeanna Hann, Adult Department Manager. “We know some people may not feel comfortable coming into the library yet, so we want to continue to make curbside options available.”

“Things may look a little different at NMPL when we re-open, but our commitment to providing excellent services to the community and to our patrons has remained the same,” said Diane. “It is always our number one priority.”