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Local libraries reopening; plans vary

Sep 10, 2020 2:30 pm
Natasha Vaughn is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media after months of closures due to the COVID-19 emergency, libraries in Columbia and Greene counties are now reopening. Until now, most local libraries have been limited to curbside pickup. AnnaLee Dragon, director of the Kinderhook Memorial Library said that library will begin to allow in-person visits from patrons in October. The Heermance Memorial Library in Coxsackie opened on September 8. Director Catherine Benson said the library removed its tables and chairs and posted signs to encourage social distancing, promote good hand washing, and ask visitors not to reshelve materials. The library is allowing up to 10 visitors into the library at a time, and will continue to offer curbside book pickup. The Claverack Free Library opened for in-person visits starting September 9. Patrons can browse the library in-person and curbside pickup is also available. Computers are spaced apart and are available to patrons for 30 minutes at a time. They will be cleaned between users. The New Lebanon Library began offering in-person appointments last week for patrons to browse books and use computers. Visits are currently limited to 15 minutes and computers can be used for 30 minutes. The library will also continue to offer curbside book pickup, as well as offer online programming. Germantown Public Library Director Lynn Place hopes that library will be able to open for in-person patrons sometime next week. When the library does open, six patrons will be allowed inside at a time for up to 45 minutes to browse books and use computers. Once the library does reopen for in-person visits curbside book pickup will no longer be available. The Greenville Public Library does not have a reopening date planned. “Unfortunately, we have not made that decision at this point, director Barbara Flach said. The Greenville library is now offering curbside printing, fax and copying services, she said. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.