Genealogical Society to re-open library

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The Hopkins County Genealogical Society is working in conjunction with the Sulphur Springs Public library and CDC recommendations to re-open their research library.

Beginning May 11, HCGS will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and closed Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

“These times are necessary so the Sulphur Springs Public library can sanitize the restrooms,” said CarolAnn Dixon in a statement.

Sanitization will take place each day from 9 to 10 a.m. Normal hours are expected to resume June 1, but HCGS will re-evaluate that date, if necessary.

Restrictions on HCGS library use have been put in place for the re-opening. They include:

• Anyone (including volunteers) entering the library should use hand sanitizer each time they enter, which includes leaving and returning.

• The sign-in sheet will be on the volunteer’s desk, and the volunteers will enter the information for you so that no one is sharing a pen.

• Bins for each day the library is open have been placed on the center table. Materials and books that have been used are to be placed in the bin and remain there for three days per CDC guidelines. The bins also state what day of the week the items are to be re-shelved. If someone uses a book on Monday and places it in the Monday bin, it is not to be removed or touched for any reason until Friday. This is for the safety of volunteers and patrons.

• Practice social distancing, which means staying 6 feet apart. For now, a volunteer cannot sit down and work one-on-one with a patron that is closer than 6 feet.

• Masks and/or gloves are voluntary. The library cannot require someone to wear either, but they do suggest it be considered.

• There is sanitizer spray and paper towels in the break room. Volunteers will sanitize after a patron leaves a computer or table to make them safer for the next person. They will also sanitize commonly touched surfaces, such as door handles.

• The center computer against the back wall is shut down to comply with social distancing. There are two computers against the wall and one at the back available for research.

• Volunteers should be the only ones touching the copier.

“It is our goal to make visiting our library as safe as possible for everyone who enters,” Dixon said.