SWPL News

No-contact holds pickup begins May 26

Southwest Public Libraries will begin the first phase in safely opening on Tuesday, May 26 with the start of no-contact holds pickup.

Patrons with items ready for pickup will be notified and be asked to call the library to schedule a time to pick up their holds from areas set up near the main entrance of each building. Buildings remain closed at this time, and no entrance is permitted.

Initially, pickups will be limited to holds ready prior to closure. Starting in June, pickups will expand to any holds placed since closure that can be filled with titles currently available at Westland or Grove City. Requests of titles from other libraries are unable to be filled until interlibrary delivery resumes at a later date.

Hours for this service will be 1-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12-5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. (Excluding Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.)

No-Contact Holds Pickup

Scheduling Your Holds Pickup
Once you are notified that items are ready for you, call the library to schedule a time for your no-contact pick-up. Please be ready to provide your library card number.
• Grove City: call (614)-875-6716 x.501
• Westland: call (614)-878-1301 x. 601

Picking Up Your Holds
Please arrive during your scheduled time slot and pick up your holds from the tables or carts set up in the library’s vestibule or outside near the entrance. Holds will be labeled and sorted alphabetically by last name. Your holds are already checked out to you, so you may just grab them and go. Please do not come pick up your holds if you or someone in your family is sick. Call us, and we will work with you to reschedule.

What if I miss my pickup time?
If you miss your pickup time, please call the library to reschedule. We will do our best to make sure you get your holds. If you miss your scheduled pickup time twice, items will be checked back in and made available to other patrons.

What if I don’t have an appointment?
We will do our best to assist those with no appointments; however, we may need to ask you to schedule a future appointment.

Can I place a hold for pickup? Why isn’t my hold being filled?
You may continue to place hold requests on all materials, but only requests of titles available at your chosen SPL pickup location will be filled for no-contact pickup until interlibrary delivery of materials resumes. All other requests will remain on your account until they can be filled.

Materials Returns

Can I return items?
Items may be returned at this time but only during holds pickup hours and only in designated bins placed outside the parking lot entrance at Grove City or in the outside book drop at Westland.

I returned items. Why are they still on my account?
For safety, returned materials will be quarantined for at least 72 hours before being checked in and removed from your account. SPL is fine free, so you will not accrue overdue fines.

How We’re Protecting Patrons and Staff

Health and safety remain our priority. In addition to cleaning and disinfecting regularly, staff have been trained to handle all materials with appropriate precautions and are required to wear masks, practice social distancing, and employ frequent handwashing and sanitizing.

Please help us keep everyone healthy by not picking up holds if you or someone in your family is sick, by wearing masks whenever possible, and by continuing to practice social distancing.

No Contact Holds Pickup final

SPL Serves as Temporary Processing Center for Ohio Military Reserve

On Saturday, May 16, 2020, SPL was honored to temporarily became a soldier processing center for the State of Ohio Defense Forces (OHSDF) as they processed new recruits for the Ohio Military Reserve (OHMR), one of the three branches of OHSDF. Many safety measures were in place, including temperature screenings, masks, sanitizing, limited occupancy, and social distancing.

OHSDF is a noncombat civil support force trained in disaster relief, medical support, shelter management, volunteer reception centers, logistics, and more. The force is under the command of the Ohio National Guard and consists of the Ohio Military Reserve, Ohio Navy, and recently formed Cyber Reserve.

The local OHSDF armory, Haubrich Armory located on Sullivant Avenue, is currently unavailable for processing as it is presently filled with donated personal protective equipment (PPE) which will soon be distributed to hospitals, nursing homes, and other organizations. The armory is serving as a state-wide collection center.

OHMR is a volunteer force, and troops do not receive pay for any training. They receive pay if they are officially deployed. Many just completed a two-month deployment working with the Ohio National Guard and four Ohio Foodbanks, including Mid-Ohio Foodbank in Grove City, to distribute food to those in need. Last year, OHMR troops responded to Dayton’s tornado disaster relief.

The OHSDF is considered a State Guard; nineteen states currently have State Guards. State Guards have become increasingly important in recent years as more National Guard troops—historically deployed for disaster relief—have been deployed overseas. OHMR is able to assist in filling some of that civil support capacity.

During the current health and economic crisis, the OHMR is needed more now than ever. OHSDF currently has over 400 troops and is actively seeking new recruits. For the OHMR, no specific experience is required; OHMR will work with recruits to place them in an area that best fits. The OHMR accepts most applicants between the ages of 17 and 64 who are in good health and can pass a physical and who are US Citizens and residents of Ohio. The enlistment period is three years and enlistees commit to drill one day per month as well attend the required week of Annual Training each year. OHMR does not involve any weapons training. Those interested in learning more or joining can visit ohiomilitaryreserve.com.

OHMR is on Facebook. Find them here.

May: Southwest Public Libraries remains closed as it plans safe reopening

SPL working out plans for a phased reopening while continuing to expand digital offerings

Southwest Public Libraries has extended closure of its two locations, Grove City Library and Westland Area Library, as leaders continue to work out plans for a safe reopening. Timing remains dependent on evolving state and federal guidelines, the results of an important Battelle study investigating the longevity of COVID-19 on library materials, and adequate acquisition of supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the safety of patrons and staff.

Developing proper protocol for safe handling of library materials is key to reopening, which is why SPL is eagerly anticipating the results of Battelle’s study. The study is the result of a partnership between Battelle, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). A specific conclusion date for the study is unavailable, but results are expected to take several weeks.

“We’re anxious to reopen our doors and serve our patrons in person again, but we must do so safely and responsibly,” says Mark Shaw, Director of SPL. “Patron and staff safety remain of great priority.”

Reopening will be phased with plans to offer limited curbside service initially. Complete plans will not be finalized until results from the study are known.

Even as SPL prepares for a safe reopening, the library continues to serve patrons digitally and expand digital offerings. Patrons are invited to enjoy:

Virtual Storytimes: offered Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. via Facebook and YouTube.
Library Live Chats: chat with Adult Services staff about books, movies, podcasts, and more. Offered Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. & Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. via Facebook comments.
WiFi access from parking lots: access hours have been extended to be available 24/7. Signal strength cannot be guaranteed. SPL apologizes for any inconvenience.
Digital Library: e-books, e-audiobooks, streaming music and movies, independent learning courses, and more available at swpl.org 24/7.

Book drops remain closed currently, and hold and due dates have been readjusted. Patrons are asked to hold on to materials and disregard any due notices they receive at this time. While the library is closed, nothing is due, no fees will accrue, and reserves will not be sent back.

FAQs About Temporary Closure

Items Due
Due dates for all items checked out, including those through Interlibrary Loan, SearchOhio or OhioLINK, have been extended to June 1. Due to these unusual circumstances, we will work with anyone with items that were already past due before the closure. Please disregard any overdue notices you may receive.
Book Drops
Book drops at both locations are closed. Please keep all materials during this time of closure. No fees will be charged to your account.
Holds
Holds listed as Ready for Pick-up will be held at your pick-up location for 5 days after SPL reopens. Please disregard the pick-up date listed on your account. You may continue to place holds for items through the library’s catalog. All holds will show as “Suspended” until we reopen.
New Library Cards
During our unexpected closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can still sign up online for a library card. Click here to sign up. On your “successful registration screen”, you will receive a temporary barcode (PACREG#######). You can use this temporary barcode and the pin you assigned to your account to begin immediately using digital library services. Once the library reopens, you have 30 days to come into one of our locations with a valid photo ID and proof of address to receive your full access card. All applicants must be residents of Ohio.
Existing Library Card Numbers and PINs
If you have a library card and do not know your number, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the full name on your card. During this unprecedented closure, we will send your card number to the e-mail associated with your account as soon as possible.

Library card PINs are 4 digits long. The PIN defaults to the last 4 numbers of the phone number associated with your account. You may have also opted to reset your PIN to a 4-digit number of your choosing. If you have registered for an account through our website, you can use the “Forgot your PIN?” link to be emailed a link to reset it. Please note: Library staff cannot reset your PIN for you.

Virtual Storytimes, Live Chats, WiFi Access, Online Card Registration

Missing your library? We’re missing you! We want to stay connected with you while working towards a safe and responsible reopening. That’s why we continue to expand digital services and programming. We invite you to enjoy:

Virtual Storytimes (Tue & Thu)
Videos shared Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Join us for virtual storytime with some of your favorite SPL Youth Services staff. Videos shared via SPL's Facebook and YouTube. Catch up easily on the playlist here. Make sure to check out links in the video descriptions for even more fun!

Library Live Chats (Wed & Sat)
Wednesdays 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. & Saturdays 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Chat via Facebook with SPL Adult Services staff about books, movies, podcasts, and more! Topics include current reads, book to movie adaptations, favorite podcasts, fantasy and sci-fi, cookbooks, and more. We'll post the topic on Facebook at indicated times and then live chat via comments. Drop in anytime during the hour.

24/7 Wi-Fi Access from Library Parking Lots
Access hours have been expanded. Wi-Fi is now available 24/7 from library parking lots. We cannot guarantee signal strength and apologize for any inconvenience.

Don't have a library card? Sign up online!
During our unexpected closure, you can still sign up online for a library card to access digital content. Click here to begin. On your “successful registration screen”, you will receive a temporary barcode (PACREG#######). You can use this temporary barcode and the pin you assigned to your account to begin immediately using digital library services. Once the library reopens, you have 30 days to come into one of our locations with a valid photo ID and proof of address to receive your full access card. All applicants must be residents of Ohio.

We hope you continue to enjoy our digital library available here. You'll find access to e-books, e-audiobooks, music, movies, research tools, self-learning courses, curated links to other free resources, and more. We update the article frequently so check back often!

Read more about our phased reopening plans or temporary closure FAQs here. These plans are continually evolving as we adapt to the most up-to-date state, federal, and expert guidelines. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigate these uncharted waters together.

Thank you for voting YES!

To our amazing patrons, Thank You.

Your voice was heard, and it rang loud and clear. Because of you, SPL’s renewal levy passed in April's primary by a large margin. We are blown away and deeply moved by the overwhelming support. Thank you for allowing us to be your library. We are honored.

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