COVID-19

The Mansfield/Richland County Public Library has been working closely with Richland Public Health and the Ohio Department of Health and taking the precautionary steps recommended to help combat the spread of COVID-19. 

Following their recommendations, all 9 locations of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library will reopen to the public with limited hours and services on Monday, January 11! 

As of January 11, all customers are required to wear a face mask during their entire stay at the library-both while browsing as well as seated at a table, chair, or computer station. If a face mask cannot be worn, a shield is the only acceptable alternative. 

We do have services available for those who choose not to comply with the face mask requirement.

Those services include Curbside Service, our online digital resources, and our "Chat with Us" service that can be found on this page.

Beginning January 11, we are limiting the use of public computers to 1 hour per day/per person. Ask a staff member for a guest pass.

Temporary Hours:

Services:

Some library services that require close interaction or present concerns about maintaining sanitized surfaces will not be offered until further notice.  

-Curbside services will continue to be available during open hours at all locations

-No in-person programs

-No toys/puzzles

-Passport and notary services are suspended

-Friends of the Library book sales are suspended

-No public meeting rooms or study rooms will be available

-Limited public computers available

-Computer usage will be limited to one 1-hour session per day

-Individual assistance will not be available due to social distancing guidelines

-Leisure reading and meeting at the library will be discouraged during this time

Safety Measures We Have Put In Place:

We are working hard to keep our staff and customers safe as we reopen.  Here are some of the measures you can expect to see when you visit your library:

-We will continue to quarantine all returned library materials

-Plexiglass protective barriers have been installed at high traffic service desks

-Additional cleaning/sanitizing of surfaces and touchpoints will take place during open hours

-Social distancing measures have been put in place at all service desks

-Furniture has been rearranged to promote social distancing

-Library staff will participate in a daily health assessment, will be wearing a face covering while working, and have been directed to stay home if they have any symptoms associated with COVID-19

-We will operate with a maximum capacity of 50% inside of the library building, monitored by library staff to ensure occupancy levels

MRCPL's COVID-19 Response Plan 

What We Ask of You:

We are kindly asking all visitors to:

-Stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19

-Wear a face covering while in the library for the safety of yourself and others

-Respect social distancing guidelines and maintain at least 6 feet of space between yourself and other customers and library staff

-Make sure children ages 12 and younger are accompanied by an adult at all times while in the library

We appreciate your attention to these details as we move forward with our reopening plan!  We can’t wait to see you!

There are lots of ways you can use the library from the comfort of your own home:

Get an eCard      Digital Resources

Online Resources for Children and Teens

Upcoming Titles List: January - March

Customized Selections Service

FAQs

Is the library open to the public?

Yes, all library locations are open to the public with limited hours.  Curbside Services remain available at all 9 locations.

What about First Call 211?

The walk-in lobby is available Monday-Friday from 9 AM - 4 PM

Where do I return items marked with a "do not return to drop" sticker?

Materials are now able to be returned inside of our locations.  If you would like to continue using curbside services, these items can be returned when picking up new materials. The staff will have a bin in which you can place your return.

I have a question about my account.  Who can help me?

Please email support@mrcpl.org or call your local library location during open hours.

What processes are in place to ensure materials are safe to check out?

We are quarantining all returned materials for 5 days before adding them back to our inventory.

 Are books, CDs, and other material donations being accepted?  

We are not accepting donated materials at this time. Details can be found here. 

What resources can I access online? 

We have a wealth of digital resources available for free 24/7 with a Library card. Check out this blog post to learn more. 

We also compiled a list of fun, educational, and creative resources for all ages. You can find that list here.

Can I sign up for a library card digitally?

Yes. Just click the button below. Once completed, you’ll receive a library card number in your email which will allow you to access all of our digital resources and apps. To check out physical materials you will need to come to one of our 9 library locations and apply for a library card in person.

Get an eCard

 How can I get updates about the library’s operations?  

Check back to this page or check our Facebook or Instagram page for up to date information.

 Is WiFi still available outside of the library?

We have turned our WiFi network on 24/7 while we are closed. To access the wifi from outside of our building, connect to: Secured MRCPL with the password: Carnegie1908