Recently, the CDC released new guidelines for people who are fully vaccinated.
This is very exciting news and brings us one step closer to normal! The CDC does specify that we all must continue to follow safety policies at local businesses and in our workplaces, so here is Lake County Public Library's plan to move forward safely:
Revisiting our Masking Policy
Masks are still required - for now. The LCPL Board of Trustees will be revisiting the masking policy on June 24.
Why are we waiting? We want to give our staff a chance to get their vaccine before relaxing any of our safety procedures. Our staff are our most valuable asset and they deserve a safe work environment.
June 24 is simply the date after which all staff who have chosen to vaccinate will have the full protection the vaccine provides.
The Board will consider the CDC's guidelines, vaccination rates, and case numbers in our community to determine our path forward.
Other Safety Procedures
Masking up is just one way that we have all kept each other safe in the library during this pandemic. Other safety measures will remain in place. We are confident that the combination of these measures will continue to protect our community even if masking is relaxed after June 24.
1: Fully Vaccinated Staff
The majority of LCPL staff will be fully vaccinated very soon! With the CDC's newly released guidelines, we're confident that vaccines are an excellent defense against the spread of COVID-19.
We hope everyone in our community will also vaccinate to help add to this protection - and remind everyone that lowered masking restrictions only apply to fully vaccinated individuals.
2: Improved HVAC System
We've spent the past year (and $73,500) upgrading our HVAC systems to improve air circulation and filtration in every one of our buildings. These upgrades were chosen specifically to counter aerosolized COVID-19.
3: Plexiglass Barriers
The clear plastic barriers around our desks will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
4: Social Distancing
We continue to ask patrons to practice social distancing with staff and with other library users who are not in their household. If social distancing is not possible while you are working with a staff member, you may be asked to mask up even if masking restrictions are relaxed at a future date.
5: Curbside Pickup
We will be continuing contact-free curbside pickup for the foreseeable future. If you're uncomfortable coming into the building for any reason, this is always a great option!
We're Almost There!
We appreciate everyone's patience, understanding, and willingness to help as we navigate this continuing health crisis. With your support, we're almost there!
If you need help finding a vaccine appointment or understanding the CDC's guidelines, we're here to help. Thank you for doing your part to keep Lake County safe - and for being a part of your library.