Indiana Back On Track: What’s open, what’s closed
Otterbein Public Library Reopening Procedures
The Otterbein Public Library is committed to serving its patrons and the community. The following outlines the services the Library will offer upon reopening to the public, and the measures we have taken to keep those services safe for patrons and staff.
Hours
Starting Monday, May 4, the Otterbein Public Library will be open to the public with limited services and hours. You can visit the library Monday-Friday from 12-4pm for checkouts and computer use limited to educational and business activities. Phone/email support and curbside checkouts will still be offered (see below). All programming will continue to be virtual (see below).
Patron Safety
Please use your best judgment in traveling to/visiting the library. Please be courteous to other patrons/staff who may be in the library with you. Each patron is responsible for their own personal safety, and that of their families. Please observe recommended physical distancing. Some chairs and workstations have been removed, or re-located to adhere to distancing recommendations. Any patron or guest who exhibits behavior which puts others at risk may be asked to leave. The OPL staff cleans and disinfects surfaces periodically during the day and at the end of open hours. Not all surfaces can be sanitized, including most chairs. Toys and gaming consoles will temporarily be unavailable for use in the library. Our meeting room is also unavailable for use by patrons at this time.
Little Free Libraries
The Otterbein Public Library maintains the stock of three Little Free Libraries off of the main library campus: in Thompson Park in downtown Otterbein, at the Fellure Foods at the east end of town, and at an intersection in Green Hill, supporting Medina Township in Warren County. These little libraries were donated by the Otterbein Rotary Club, and contain books and materials which have no circulation requirements and may be taken freely.
Curb Service Check-out
The Otterbein Public Library will continue to offer Curb Service Check-Outs, where we accept requests for materials in our physical collection and check them out to the requesting patron, bagging the materials and delivering them to patrons on their arrival in the parking lot.
Returned Material Quarantine Period
All materials returned to the library through the exterior media and book drops go through a quarantine period of no less than 48 hours. These materials are collected from the drop by a staff member wearing protective equipment, and are not checked in until this span has passed, allowing any potential contagion hazard to expire. Only after this period is observed will these items be shown as Available in our system, and may be checked out again.
Public Wi-Fi
The Library’s secure Wi-Fi is open to public use at all hours, accessible from the parking lot and nearby outdoor benches. This service has seen continual use since it was extended from being accessible only during open hours to its current continual operation during the Public Health Emergency.
Phone/Email support
During weekdays, OPL staff members are on hand to answer questions and accept requests for Curb Service. Tech support for your Evergreen & Overdrive accounts, and Libby app, will still be provided via phone. Voicemail is checked daily. Call (765) 583-2107. You can also send email to director@otterbeinpubliclibrary.org, jmorales@otterbeinpubliclibrary.org, or addie@otterbeinpubliclibrary.org.
Computer Use
We are temporarily reducing the amount of available computers in the library. Additionally, we ask that you limit your computer use to business/educational activities. Chromebooks are available for students to complete homework.
Online Storytime, Video Events, Community Outreach
All programs will continue to be virtual. Storytimes are live on Facebook & Instagram twice a week. Mother Goose on the Loose is Tuesday mornings at 10:30. Preschool Storytime is Thursday morning at 11:15. More digital content is available on the OPL Facebook page and Youtube channel as service to our youth patrons and as an outreach to other community members. This content ranges from Porch Story book readings to Sing-Along Songs with Ukulele accompaniment to entertaining and educational Cooking Instruction, and even image-based scavenger hunts. More activities and resources can be found on our Pinterest page. We have added numerous community resource links to our website (ie SNAP, unemployment, etc.) to provide an easy access point for patrons to find even more information and material.
Staff Health
The OPL staff cannot serve our community if we allow our own health to be compromised. We are using our best judgment for personal protections with consideration of all recommendations from the CDC and both State and local Health Departments. We continue to work with one another, monitoring our own health closely for the protection of our families and of our patrons.
