MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave County Supervisors Hildy Angius and Ron Gould want to ease coronavirus-related restrictions in public libraries. County library facilities are open to check out materials that are located by staff, but patrons are restricted from moving about the buildings.
“You can’t browse books which is the reason that most people go to the library,” Gould said. “You can’t use the computers and the computers are probably even more popular now than checking out a book.”
Angius said she put the library matter on Monday’s board meeting agenda so supervisors could discuss allowing patrons better access to and within library settings. She said the consideration is timely, with most area school districts returning students to in person learning environments.
“Yes, I want it to all open 100%, however I believe the county has a proposal,” Angius said.
County Manager Sam Elters, Library, Public Health and Risk Management officials collaborated to formulate a compromise proposal, rather than simply lifting all restrictions for libraries. The expanded library operation plan is detailed as follows:
~ Open library book stacks for browsing at all locations (on or before March 22nd)
~ Add computers at our three main branches for children and teens (on or before March 22nd)
~ Monitor computer usage, demand, and wait times and add additional computers as needed (ongoing)
~ Continue to limit seating in order to reduce the congregation of people and ensure conditions allow for appropriate physical distancing between patrons.
~ Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces between each use.
~ Open one public meeting room at each of the three main libraries for public use at a capacity which allows for social distancing (on or before April 1st)
~ Continue to offer curbside service upon request
~ Continually monitor usage and demand to determine further steps toward full resumption of operations (ongoing)
The public portion of Monday’s board meeting in Kingman starts at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be held in the Board of Supervisors Auditorium at the county administration building at 700 W. Beale St.
Dave Hawkins