Out of an abundance of caution to protect its staff and customers against COVID-19/coronavirus, Heights Libraries is cancelling all programs, events, and meeting room reservations from Monday, March 16 through Tuesday April 21, with a few exceptions.
We will still:
- hold the March 17 election,
- issue passports,
- hold tax preparation appointments (as long as the AARP can provide volunteers),
- allow census staff trainings by the Census Bureau, and
- host Red Cross blood drives as long as they can support the service.
If we decide to suspend any of these events, we will let the public know ASAP.
While remaining open, we will be making some changes to encourage social distancing.
Effective Friday, March 13, we will be spacing out the use of public computers by shutting down roughly half of our computers to allow for more space between customers. We are also asking that customers wipe down computers, keyboards, and mice in between each use. Staff will also wipe them down.
We clean our surfaces daily, provide hand sanitizer and wipes to customers in all buildings, and have bleach wipes available in all departments. We have removed all toys from our Early Literacy play areas in all branches to keep little ones safe. We have also engaged a company to sanitize all flat surfaces, and that sanitizing will continue over the next few months.
We encourage you to do everything you can to stay healthy including:
- washing your hands frequently, especially when you enter the library
- avoiding touching your face
- greeting others without hugging, kissing, or shaking hands (try an elbow bump!)
- using appropriate sanitation procedures, such as using a paper towel to open the bathroom door after you wash your hands
- practicing proper cough etiquette including coughing into a tissue and disposing of it, or coughing into your elbow.
- staying home if you feel ill, or for 24 hours after you recover from a fever.
If you are a member of a vulnerable population (elderly, suppressed immune system, etc.), please take advantage of our many distance services, including phone reference (216-932-3600), home delivery, and easy access to digital media.
We are also making sure our staff stay healthy, and are relaxing our sick time policy to encourage them to stay home if they are not feeling well.
For accurate, up-to-date information, visit the following public health agency websites:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Ohio Department of Health
The Cuyahoga County Board of Health
