Face masks a consideration with PCPL reopening

While continuing to reach out to and serve patrons remotely and with curbside pickup, the Putnam County Public Library is now looking forward to opening up in-person services.

In his reports to PCPL’s board of trustees during its regular Zoom meeting held Wednesday afternoon, Director Matt McClelland spoke more on the library’s gradual reopening plan approved last month.

He advocated that the library could open to limited visitor access on June 14, coinciding with Phase 2 of the plan. This step will still follow expectations set out in Phase 1, including a focus on remote services and a limit on checkouts.

June 14 is when the state anticipates that Stage 4 of Indiana’s Back on Track plan will come into effect. Retail stores may be at full capacity, while restaurants, bars and entertainment facilities like movie theaters can open at 50-percent capacity. Social gatherings of up to 250 people will also be permitted.

However, he related that staff are effectively split on how late or how early the library should open up. He also noted, however, that they were “excited” to be able to continue offering services.

“There’s no guarantee of anybody’s safety right now,” McClelland said, with the addendum that these are essentially local decisions.

Face masks became a concern for the board. McClelland believed mask requirements have become a contentious issue politically, adding that the Indiana Library Federation has cautioned against mandating them and being too strict.

Board member Tona Gardner thought it made sense to adhere to state guidance on how and when the reopening could take place. With face masks, she suggested that the library should establish a written recommendation to its patrons.

Secretary Kayla Flegal opined that staff could be empowered to protect themselves and require those without masks to keep their distance. Ultimately, there was an agreement on a “heavy recommendation” to wear a mask, but that curbside service would still be offered for those who wish not to.

It was pointed out that the board gave McClelland the authority to amend the reopening plan and its requirements as necessary. Board President Alan Zerkel said no resolution was needed on the mask requirement, and that there was a general consensus on the June 14 opening.

McClelland related that the library’s curbside service had gone well with some “minor glitches.” He said the observation was that the service has been well-received by patrons since it began, which was on May 19.

The director also provided that he and Treasurer Lisa Barker had recently attended a budgeting workshop. He said finances will become a concern with uncertainties surrounding property taxes. As such, the library’s operating budget into the next year can only be a projection.

The library is a county entity that partially depends on local property tax allocations and gifts to make up its budget.

In other business, the board approved recommendations for a new set of officers. Flegal, Gardner and Shannon Green will serve as president, vice president and secretary, respectively. Barker was also approved to continue as treasurer.

In her financial report, Barker informed the board that a supplemental local income check had been received and added to the library’s operating balance. She also stated that PCPL had $573,785 on hand, with 65 percent of its budget remaining.

The next regular meeting of the Putnam County Public Library’s board of trustees is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24.