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We continue to compile resources to aid Kansas Libraries in making choices about reopening and helping keep their communities safe. The most recent updates can be found below, on our Librarian News blog, or on our Covid-19 Resources page.
Mask guidance for libraries:
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0308-vaccinated-guidelines.html
While
the new guidance is a positive step, the vast majority of people need to be
fully vaccinated before COVID-19 precautions can be lifted broadly. Until then,
it is important that everyone continues to adhere to public health mitigation
measures to protect the large number of people who remain unvaccinated.
CDC
recommends that fully vaccinated people continue to take these COVID-19
precautions when in public, when visiting with unvaccinated people from
multiple other households, and when around unvaccinated people who are at high
risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19:
• Wear a well-fitted mask.
• Stay at least 6 feet from people
you do not live with.
• Avoid medium- and large-sized
in-person gatherings.
• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19
symptoms.
• Follow guidance issued by individual
employers.
• Follow CDC and health department
travel requirements and recommendations.
https://www.adasoutheast.org/ada/publications/legal/ada-and-face-mask-policies.php#examplesRM
CDC
statement on Surface transmission of COVID virus:
New
York Times article referencing CDC statement:
NicheAcademy offers a large collection of tutorials geared
toward assisting libraries during and after the pandemic: https://my.nicheacademy.com/reopening
WebJunction has the following webinars:
Understanding COVID-19
Vaccines: A REALM Project Webinar
REopening Archives,
Libraries and Museums: Materials Testing and Resource Overview
REopening Archives,
Libraries and Museums: Project Update and Community Reflections
OSHA
Guidance on Returning to Work
From American
Libraries:
How Long SARS-CoV-2 Lives on Common Library
Materials
Where
Are We: The Latest on Library Reopening Strategies
From Library Journal:
Where
Are We Now?
From School Library
Journal:
One
Year Later
From the OCLC REALM Project:
Reopening
considerations for LAMs (archives, libraries, and museums)
Vaccines:
Resource Roundup
Social
Distancing: Resource Roundup
Virtual
Programming: Resource Roundup
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The Kansas Talking Books Service does amazing work all year round, but the first week of March is designated to celebrate all they do for Kansas residents, especially those with visual, physical or print disability needs. Check out their Facebook page for discussions and announcements throughout the week.
State of Kansas
Proclamation by the Governor
To the people of Kansas, Greetings:
Whereas, the Kansas Talking Book Division of the State Library of Kansas is taking part in a week-long celebration marking the beginning of free library services for the blind; and
Whereas, the federal Pratt-Smoot act was enacted on March 3, 1931, establishing free library services for blind adults under the administration of a National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) in the Library of Congress; and
Whereas, Kansas Talking Books provides materials and supportive services to blind and print disabled Kansans; and
Whereas, these print impaired individuals may participate in enriching programs and activities connecting patrons to a collection of more than 100,000 items; and
Whereas these print disabled patrons may choose from materials ranging from digital books to Braille and tactile materials, audio and descriptive videos to popular magazines and current newspapers; and
Whereas, with the cooperation of the U.S. Postal Service, participants receive these materials through the mail free of charge.
Now, therefore, I, Laura Kelly, Governor of the State of Kansas, do hereby proclaim March 1st-5th, 2021 as Talking Books Week in Kansas and I urge all citizens to join in the celebration of this free library service for all Kansas residents who are unable to read or used standard printed materials due to vision impairment, physical impairment, reading and /or other print disabilities.
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 28, 2020
Kansas is Reading to Preschoolers
A statewide initiative encouraging early childhood literacy
Topeka, KS —The opportunity to obtain copies of the children’s book, Groovy Joe: Ice Cream and Dinosaurs, has been made available throughout Kansas and many are preparing to read to Kansas preschoolers during this year’s Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Month. This title is also available digitally through the State Library’s digital book eLending site, Bookflix.
The State Library’s 16 th annual one-book/one-state reading initiative, Kansas Reads to Preschoolers, highlights the importance of reading to children with a goal that every Kansas child from birth to age five is read to throughout the month of November.
Each year, one age-appropriate book is selected for storytime in libraries, preschools, childcare centers and homes throughout Kansas. Groovy Joe: Ice Cream and Dinosaurs, by Eric Litwin, is this year’s title. Kansas librarians have pooled together learning resources and tools that will be shared throughout the state during the entire month of November.
The State Library of Kansas is committed to increasing reading readiness and on-grade reading while promoting reading, literacy and libraries. For storytime ideas, activities and more information on this year’s Kansas Reads to Preschooler’s title, visit http://kslib.info/prek.
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Kansas Libraries Report One Million Minutes of Reading
Since early June, more than 200 Kansas libraries have been carrying out summer reading programs that have allowed patrons of all ages to record their reading progress.
As of July 17th, the numbers are:
- 1,008,456 minutes read
- 19,088 books completed
- 264,911 pages read
- 2,825 literacy activities completed
For more information, view the full press release or visit the State Library of Kansas website.
Rhonda Machlan received the 2015 Kansas Library Association Library Personnel Award