COVID-19 Support for Libraries and Librarians: Policies and Procedures

See the "Funding" tab linked above for answers to frequently asked questions about library funding during the COVID-19 emergency.

Fillable PDF form to apply for a COVID-19 Waiver of a Library Commission Administrative Rule requirement or requirements. Form does not apply to non-compliance resulting from situations that pre-date the COVID-19 crisis. Form revised June 17, 2020.

Posters and social media shareables from the WV DHHR to help you communicate face mask guidance with staff and visitors.

Numerous resources to help anyone dealing with coronavirus-related issues in West Virginia.

Includes links to reopening guidelines for different types and sizes of businesses.

Safer at Home Order guidelines to take effect May 4, 2020. Will be modified each week during The Comeback Reopening Plan.

Executive Order effective Nov. 14, 2020, requiring a face covering to be worn at all times in all public indoor [;aces.

Lists color coded metrics for in-person instruction as well as Athletic & Extracurricular Activity Guidance.

Includes links to posters and social media graphics to communicate the statewide indoor face covering requirement (effective Nov. 14, 2020) with your community.

Information on grants designed to assist nonprofit humanities-centered institutions and organizations in West Virginia by providing general operating and/or programming support during this period of financial hardship caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Site has links to grant guidelines, applications, and sample applications. Applications will be available in early May.

Reopening Guidance from the Office of the Governor. Active Guidance documents linked for many types of businesses and organizations and an update feed.

Slides from Governor Jim Justice's Monday, April 27, 2020, press conference detailing criteria and a schedule for reopening various types of businesses and organizations.

Board adopted and approved May 18, 2020.

Guidance for best practices to reopen facilities following stay-at-home orders issued by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. The guide is a tip kit full of resources and suggestions for how to best serve patrons in a Covid-19 environment.

This LibGuide from the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) lists numerous resources to help librarians, teachers, and others newly supporting distance learning. Topics covered include Government Resources, Distance Education and Engagement, Self-Care and New Ways of Working, Free Learning, ALA Resources, and Community Resources.

Guidance document for libraries as prepared by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) developed with input from ALA. AIHA is an association of scientists and professionals dedicated to health and safety in the workplace and the community.

This collection of tools, developed and updated by units across the American Library Association, is meant to help communities, library workers, and library supporters plot the best course forward for their libraries.

Links to resource pages and responses from ALA state chapters.

Steps public libraries should take in drafting reopening plans and answers to frequently asked questions authored by the Freedom to Read Foundation’s General Counsel Theresa Chmara and approved by the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC).

Explains implications to consider with health screenings and contact tracing. Created by the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) Privacy Subcommittee.

These guidelines for reviewing policies addressing different forms of video surveillance were developed by the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) and are divided into six sections: security cameras, public records, users filming in the library, users filming library workers, law enforcement and library worker training.

A companion one-pager with space to insert a local example and an association or library logo, if desired.

A one-pager for decision makers and funders.

Various useful resources for libraries facing the COVID-19 outbreak including guidance on topics to include in an individual library's policy, news, and federal, state, and local resources.

A roundup of recent activity and resources for library advocates.

ALA resources, CARES Act, Information about State Actions, and additional resources.

The Australian Library and Information Association is compiling translated signage and text in many languages to support libraries communicating their COVID-19 closures and online services with linguistically diverse communities.

Advice from conservators on cleaning, sanitizing, and keeping collections safe while also avoiding damaging materials.

Summarizes current knowledge about heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) methods and equipment to make indoor environments safer from a library perspective. (Published Jan. 14, 2021.)

Created by Shana L. McDanold, District of Columbia Public Library. Compiles cataloging or metadata-related tasks that can be completed during work-from-home periods. Also compiles questions to answer beforehand and links to cataloging, metadata, and work-from-home resources.

Guidance from the CDC on resuming personal and social activities. Includes a section on visiting a library.

Guidance for developing, implementing, and revising plans to clean and disinfect public spaces including workplaces, schools, homes, and businesses.

Fact Sheets, Questions and Answers, Webinars, and more on employer responsibilities related to coronavirus, sick leave, etc.

Resources and instruction on digital collection strategies during and after rapidly-evolving social events or community crises.

All products on this list meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. To find a product, enter the first two sets of its EPA registration number into the search form on this page.

A wealth of information on coronavirus and employment with updates published regularly.

Includes recommendations and findings from Germany, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands plus information on how to combat the dissemination of fake news on the coronavirus.

From LibraryJournal: The Help a Library Worker Out (HALO) fund "will make small, unrestricted grants to United States–based individuals to help with housing expenses, child care, groceries, cell phone or internet, gas, insurance, or other bills. Library workers, staff, or librarians who have lost wages because of a COVID-19 related layoff or reduction in hours are eligible, as are those who are still employed but whose spouse, significant other, co-parent, or housemate has lost wages that affect their household income."

The FDLP homepage has links to numerous government resources on COVID-19 including guidance documents for depository libraries.

GPO’s Library Services & Content Management (LSCM) has developed this toolkit in response to the need for reliable information resources for library staff and patrons on the COVID-19 pandemic. From this toolkit you can access:
- Information for Federal depository library staff on FDLP operations during the pandemic.
- Reliable U.S. Government information resources for FDLP patrons.
- Downloadable images you can use for your library website to link patrons to your COVID-19 information pages or research guides.
Since information on the pandemic is constantly changing, LSCM will keep this toolkit updated to include new information as it becomes available.

(REVISED SEPTEMBER 3, 2020) Guidance on how to safely maintain services to users and safeguard collections during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advice to consumers about avoiding coronavirus-related scams including those involving contract tracing, donations, and testing.

Dr. David Berendes and Dr. Catherine Rasberry from the Centers for Disease Control presented an overview of the CDC’s guidance for community settings and environmental disinfection, and a discussion of how libraries, archives, and museums can help mitigate COVID-19 when working with paper-based, circulating, and other types of collections.  The presentation was followed by a question and answer period.

News, Government Information, and Resources for Museums and Libraries.

A well-organized and VERY thorough list of resources, state and national policies, social media resources, and news that can help librarians in any state.

Guidance on methods of cleaning and disinfecting unique, historic, exhibit, and research materials without causing damage.

Recommendations from the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) on best practices handling and disinfecting circulating books during the COVID-19 emergency.

Collaborative tutorials developed by the library community on many aspects of coping with and operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Easily readable explanation of the disease, available treatments, and vaccination options published by the National Institutes of Health in March 2021.

NIH article published in March 2021 explaining current findings about the length and effects of immunity after recovering from COVID-19 and what this potentially says about vaccination.

Answers to critical questions about critical questions about rights to paid sick leave, medical leave, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and disability benefits. Also includes legal updates and information on emergency orders, government policies, and laws that have been enacted in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Offers advice on safely communicating with a lawyer during stay-in orders.

Advice from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on workplace preparation, preventing worker exposure to COVID-19, etc.

From OSHA:
This guidance is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It contains recommendations as well as descriptions of mandatory safety and health standards. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with safety and health standards and regulations promulgated by OSHA or by a state with an OSHA-approved state plan. In addition, the Act’s General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

Discusses initial results of the survey.

News, resources, and best practices compiled for libraries operating under stay-home restrictions.

A research partnership between OCLC, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and Battelle to create and distribute science-based information and recommended practices designed to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to staff and visitors who deliver or use museum, library, and archival services. Site will be updated regularly with project updates and resources. You can also sign up to receive project updates by e-mail.

Answers a variety of questions about the REALM Project, its testing methdology, and various aspects of the COVID-19 virus including questions on disinfection and remediation, transmission, quarantine, and more.

Downloadable toolkit resources to support reopening practices for library staff including a decision-making checklist, REALM test results, and more.

Synthesizes reopening plans shared with the REALM Project by libraries, archives, and museums and includes links to guidance on quarantining, cleaning, and disinfecting at your facility.

Resources to help libraries, archives, and museums enact social distancing measures in their unique environments while continuing to serve the public and keeping staff safe.

A collection of curated information and resources about vaccines to help libraries, archives, and museums and the communities they serve understand and communicate about COVID-19 vaccines.

Examples and resources for libraries, archives, and museums conducting virtual programming.

Developed by the SAA Accessibility and Disability Section, this guide provides support and guidance for all types of archival labor and could also be of great use to libraries or other cultural institutions.

If your organization decides to document the effect of COVID-19 on its community, the tools in this kit provide guidance and can be customized for local use.

Covers topics including step-by-step guides for setting up a Pandemic Response Team, disinfection procedures, staggering shifts and other social distancing strategies, daily health screening protocol, and protocols for isolating employees who become ill at work.

Created by Amy Tureen, UNLV University Libraries, and crowdsourced. Compiles projects and suggested assignments that can be done by frontline, often classified, workers in academic libraries while working from home. Many of these task ideas may apply and be useful to all types of libraries.

Created by Ryan P. Randall, College of Western Idaho, and Jennifer LC Burke, Louisville (CO) Public Library. Compiles work-from-home tasks that can be done by public library workers not only to support patrons but to support other city departments and cultural and history organizations.