The days when patrons will once again be able to browse the bookshelves at Durango Public Library remain a distant prospect: The library has no reopening date scheduled after months of coronavirus-related closures.
Other libraries in the region, like those in Bayfield, Ignacio and Farmington, have reopened with adapted hours, services and heightened sanitation practices. But Durango has not joined their ranks. Staff members continue to assess how the library can safely implement public health guidelines while being short-staffed.
“We will be prepared to reopen. We’ll just have to see what staffing we have at the time. What hours can we provide that meet the needs of the public that we can staff in a safe and responsible manner?” said Sandy Irwin, Durango library director.
The library’s first concern is public health, specifically the rate of new cases in the area. The library will not consider implementing reopening plans until the rate of new cases flattens or begins to decline.
Case numbers in La Plata County remained in the 80s for several weeks, but the number of new cases began to increase more rapidly after June 22. La Plata County had 148 positive COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, according to San Juan Basin Public Health.
“Normally, we have hundreds of people in the building every day,” Irwin said. “Protecting our community and staff from any COVID spread is important.”
The library offers some remote programs, and it does online, phone and curbside services for patrons. Once new cases appear to slow, it could reopen with limited hours and services. But Irwin foresees a series of other challenges that would hinder reopening for in-person use.
Five of its part-time employees cannot return to work because they are in populations vulnerable to more serious cases of COVID-19 and would experience increased exposure risk while at work. Two full-time employees chose to move on to different positions outside the library.
In response to the financial impacts of the pandemic, the city of Durango implemented a hiring freeze until further notice, and city staff members are partially furloughed.
“We don’t know what (reopening) would look like without knowing what staffing we’re going to have,” Irwin said.
The short-staffed library would struggle to implement public health guidelines and restrictions, she said. For example, indoor venues must control the number of people who enter the space. However, the library does not have enough staff members to dedicate someone to monitor capacity requirements.
Staff members would also have to consistently disinfect spaces and equipment in the large building at 1900 East Third Ave. They also have to manage a quarantine system for materials. The virus lives on library materials for three days, according to a June study by the REALM Project.
“But when people browse the collection and touch things, how do we then quarantine those materials?” Irwin said.
Staff members have also expressed concern about enforcing Durango’s mandatory mask order, particularly because face coverings have become a politically controversial topic.
“There are people who do get very angry and upset. Staff is very concerned about how do we enforce that order whilst still feeling safe?” Irwin said.
smullane@@durangoherald.com
