Rock Island Library Statement On Coronavirus
The Rock Island Public Library has issued a statement on the coronavirus and its potential impact on customers and patrons.
The library’s comments are as follows:
As a library, we are monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation nationally, within the Quad Cities, and within our greater library service region. Our interest is to continue serving your library needs while maintaining the safety and health of our staff and public.
We are receiving a great deal of guidance from our library system and the State Library. This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we will update staff and patrons as situations change.
The Illinois Department of Public Health states that risk to the general public remains low at this time. At the present time, Rock Island County does not have any reported cases of the COVID-19 (Corona) Virus, according to the Rock Island County Health Department website.
As a prudent safeguard, we continue to follow best hygiene practices for workplaces. These include regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and equipment in our buildings, making hand sanitizer available to staff and patrons, and promoting frequent handwashing. We encourage both staff and visitors to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
The Library does not currently disinfect borrowed materials when they are checked in or as they are browsed or used in-house. Disinfecting these types of items and materials is currently not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)
According to the CDC, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet) or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
We encourage any concerned patrons, especially those in high-risk populations, to stay home if they are feeling ill or are simply concerned about potential exposure.
If you are feeling ill and have items to return, you may use our book drops, or call our Circulation Desk at 309-732-READ for options.
If you are visiting a library location, you can share your questions or concerns with our staff, or if you are practicing social distancing as a precaution, you can also contact Library staff via phone at 309-732-7341, by Facebook messaging at our Rock Island Public Library page, or via email
At the present time, our libraries remain open, and we are proceeding with scheduled programs and events. We continue to monitor the situation, and recommendations from federal, state, and local health departments. We will communicate updates and changes through email and social media. You may also visit the “Find it Fast” Section on our website for links to COVID 19 information, and updates from the library.
As a reminder, the Library has many digital services available to you for free, such as e-books and e-audiobooks; streaming TV, movie and music services; and digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines.
Thank you for your patience as we work through this developing situation.
Angela Campbell, Library Director
Get the latest information on COVID-19 from these links:
CDC Frequently Asked Questions page
