CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY - WEST LOOP BRANCH: CPL Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Chicago Public Library - West Loop Branch issued the following announcement on Mar. 13.

The safety and well-being of patrons is of the utmost importance to Chicago Public Library. As coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, CPL is canceling all programs, events and meeting room bookings effective March 13 pending further notification to support social distancing efforts and limit the spread of COVID-19. All CPL locations have prepared social distancing practices and will be open regular hours from Sunday, March 15 onward to provide basic services.

CPL will continue following the recommended hygiene standards for our locations including:

• Regularly disinfecting surfaces and equipment in our buildings
• Making hand sanitizer available
• Removing hand-held toys from children’s play area
• Encouraging frequent hand-washing

Current information suggests that person-to-person spread will continue to occur. We encourage patrons, particularly those who are vulnerable and high-risk, to stay home if they are sick and/or are concerned about infection.

CPL will continue to get daily guidance from Chicago Department of Public Health officials. CDPH continues to work closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal, state and local partners to monitor and respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. 

Early Voting

CPL locations serving as voting stations will remain open through the Illinois primary election on March 17. The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners has a list of early and day-of voting stations and their extended hours. 

How to Reduce the Risk and Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

The best way for all Chicagoans to reduce their risk of getting sick, as with seasonal colds or the flu, still applies to prevent COVID-19:

• Stay home if you are sick, unless seeking medical care.  
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  
• Cover your cough or sneeze.  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.  
• Use alternatives to shaking hands, like an elbow bump or wave.  
• If you have recently returned from a country, state or region with ongoing spread of COVID-19, monitor your health and follow the instructions of public health officials.  
• There is no recommendation to wear masks to prevent yourself from getting sick.

Using the Library Remotely

CPL cardholders can access library resources and information, including eBooks, audiobooks, music, video and online resources, 24/7 on our website.

Mobile Apps

Patrons with smartphones can access CPL on-the-go with our mobile app on iOS and Android. Other applications accessible with a CPL card include:

• Brainfuse: Live homework help from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. in English and Spanish
• Hoopla: Streaming and downloadable audiobooks, music, video and eBooks
• Flipster: Read current and back issues of six of our most popular magazines: Bloomberg Businessweek, Ebony, Entertainment Weekly, Essence, People and Scientific American.
• Mango Languages: Lessons in 70+ languages, including English
• Overdrive: Downloadable eBooks, audiobooks
• RBdigital Audiobooks: Downloadable audiobooks
• RBdigital Magazines: Latest issues of more than a hundred popular magazines.

Original source can be found here.