COVID-19 - Information and Resources for Michigan Libraries

We truly understand that Michigan patrons and students will miss access to our libraries, the heart of our communities and campuses, but we must change our day-to-day routines - as hard as that might be. Every citizen should be focused on the health of the entire community.

Even with the doors closed, there are a number of things that we’ve compiled that you can continue to offer and ways in which you can be a valuable community partner:

• Keep wifi available or extend wifi hours while your building is closed so that access can still be available in parking lots, etc.

• Websites should still be updated to point to current quality resources on COVID-19 – resources for general health, but now beginning to also include resources to support small business needing financial support and how to connect with resources for this, connect to national news organizations that are offering free access to COVID-19 coverage such as the New York Times, etc.

• Suspend holds while closed

• Suspend fines and extend due dates while closed

• Try virtual storytime or programs

• Promote digital collections

• Promote online library card registration and issuing cards completely online

And last but not least, we encourage all libraries to allow staff to work remotely. We also encourage libraries to ensure that all library workers receive fully paid leave, including health coverage, while libraries are closed. We know that you will take into consideration the hardship that will ensue for many library employees if they are not paid during this time. At this moment in time, we believe that the health and welfare of library staff should be our highest priority.

In the coming days, we encourage you to seek accurate, reliable information about this public health crisis and work to help curtail its further spread.

We will continue to monitor the Governor’s mandates, ALA communications, and other reliable sources, and keep you attuned to any further directives that affect the good work that you all do.

Be safe, stay well.

MLA Board of Directors and Staff

News

During this rapidly changing situation, we are actively monitoring legislation and regulations related to COVID-19. View the latest news and announcements as we keep you informed.

View the Latest News

Executive Orders

On June 18, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-127, which extends the state of emergency declaration related to the COVID-19 pandemic until July 16. In doing so, Governor Whitmer joins nearly every state in the country in maintaining a state of emergency to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. This executive order will allow her to continue taking action to protect Michigan families and workers. She also signed Executive Order 2020-129, which extends a previous Executive Order allowing public bodies to conduct public meetings remotely during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Order 2020-129 expires on July 31, 2020.

Executive Order 2020-129 extends a previous Executive Order allowing public bodies to conduct public meetings remotely during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Under EO 2020-129, public bodies subject to the Open Meetings Act, including boards, commissions, committees, subcommittees, authorities, councils and nonprofit boards, can use telephone or video-conferencing methods to continue meeting and conducting business during the COVID-19 public health crisis, so long as they follow certain procedures to ensure meaningful access and participation by members of the public body and the general public. The order also temporarily authorizes public bodies, departments and agencies to use technology to enable remote participation in public comment and hearings, and temporarily excuses school boards from monthly meeting requirements. EO 2020-129 expires on July 31, 2020.

On June 5, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Orders 2020-114 and 2020-115 to reopen more regions and economic sectors under the MI Safe Start Plan. In addition, Governor Whitmer has issued an updated rule laying out new workplace safeguards for retail (including LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS) and entertainment venues. Following these safeguards will ensure that workers and patrons alike remain protected as the state moves to reopen.

Read this quick update from the legal community in the Foster Swift Collins & Smith Legal Update:
http://events.fosterswift.com/viewmailing.aspx?MailingId=42301&MailKey=1716017.

EO 2020-114 – Safeguards to protect Michigan’s workers from COVID-19 (Ammends EO 2020-97). See section 6 for rules applying specifically to libraries.

EO 2020-115 – Temporary restrictions on certain events, gatherings, and businesses

EO 2020-110 – Rescission of Executive Orders 2020-69 and 2020-96. Moves the state to Stage 4 of the Michigan Safe Start Plan. Michiganders are no longer required to stay home. Instead, certain businesses will remain closed and specific activities that present a 3 heightened risk of infection will remain prohibited. Any work that is capable of being performed remotely must be performed remotely. Section 10 of the Executive Order states: "Unless otherwise prohibited by local regulation, libraries and museums may open as of June 8, 2020, subject to the rules governing retail stores described in Executive Order 2020-97 or any order that may follow from it."

EO 2020-100 – Extends the Stay Safe, Stay Home order and the Temporary Restrictions on the Use of Places of Public Accommodation to June 12, 2020. This is an extension of 2020-96 and 2020-69 described below.

EO 2020-96 – Temporary Requirement to Suspend Certain Activities that are Not Necessary to Sustain or Protect Life. (rescission of 2020-17, 2020-34, 2020-77 and 2020-92)

• This Executive Order added non-emergency medical, veterinary, dental, and motor vehicle sales to the industries able to resume operations, with restrictions.

• Retail businesses are permitted to re-open with occupancy restrictions.

• Added language differentiates between retail and public accommodation entities.

• Permits gatherings of up to 10 people, following social distancing.

• No changes to library operations from EO 2020-92

Prior EO’s included the following amendments to allow a regional approach to reopening.

• MERC Regions 6 & 8 (covering the UP and the Northern portion of the Mitten) have been specifically permitted to begin restricted openings of bars, restaurants, retail activities, and offices

• Bars and restaurants in regions 6 & 8 may re-open and operate under capacity restraints and social distancing/sanitation requirements listed in EO 2020-91.

• Offices may bring workers back only to complete tasks that CANNOT be completed remotely.

• Workers necessary to perform retail activities may return, also under requirements listed in EO 2020-91.

• Workers necessary to prepare a workplace to follow the workplace standards described in Executive Order 2020-91. (EO 2020-92 section 11(o)). In other words, workplaces can conduct activities necessary to prepare their workplaces to comply with standards outlined in EO 2020-91(Install plexiglass panels, install signage, etc.).

EO 2020-69 – Temporary Restrictions on the Use of Places of Public Accommodation (recission of 2020-43 and 2020-09)

• To restrict public gatherings and interactions, specifically “ingress, egress, use and occupancy by members of the public” in order to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Libraries are listed specifically as one of the places of public accommodation to be closed to the public.

EO 2020-97 – Safeguards to protect Michigan’s workers from COVID-19 (recission of 2020-91) View Section 6. for rules governing retail stores.

• add requirements for in-store retail, medical, veterinary, and dental services/workplaces

• The prior EO requires workplaces that are resuming activities to comply with certain sanitary and social distancing protocols and policies in order to create and maintain a workplace that mitigates the risk of an employee or customer from contracting or spreading Covid-19. Part of the order requires every employer bringing workers back to have in place a Covid-19 Preparedness Plan. The contents of the preparedness plan (the policies and procedures to be implemented) must be consistent with the recommendations in the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) publication, Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. This plan must be completed and available to employees, labor unions and customers within 2 weeks after the employer resumes activities. In ADDITION to preparing a plan, the workplace must at very least comply with measures described in sections 1(b) through 1(q). The EO contains additional measures specific to certain industries. Libraries are not mentioned, but it is possible that as more industries are permitted to resume activities, additional tailored measures may be released.

Resources

On June 29, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, and House Speaker Lee Chatfield reached a bipartisan budget agreement, which includes adjustments to the fiscal year 2020 budget and allocation of Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars. The budget agreement includes modest reductions in current year funding but also provides CARES Act funding for Michigan schools and educators, universities and community colleges, and local governments to address the significant COVID 19 costs they’re facing.

View the FY 2020 Budget Agreement: FY 2020 Budget Agreement

Phased-in Plan Resources and Examples

We urge you to read through the questions for reopening that have been compiled by the 11 library cooperatives across Michigan. This is a very extensive list of questions that all libraries should be asking and addressing as they create their phased-in reopening plans. It is attached here for your perusal.

Library of Michigan
Public Library Reopening and Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan Template

East Lansing Public Library
ELPL Guidelines for Reopening after a Pandemic

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
Reopening Guidance for Libraries

Please note resources are provided for information purposes only and are not legal advice.

MLA Connect

MLA Connect provides virtual education and engagement opportunities you can access from anywhere to keep you connected to the library community in Michigan. Check out archived webinars and coffee hours below. Please note recordings are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.

MLA Connect Webinar: Libraries and the Legal Impacts of COVID-19

How will the evolving state regulations, executive orders, and the federal stimulus package affect your staff and community? Join MLA and Attorneys Anne Seurynck and Mike Blum of Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC as they review the impacts of COVID-19 regulations and directives on Michigan libraries and their employees and offer an opportunity for participants to ask questions about issues they are currently facing during this time of uncertainty. Learn more and view the archived recording.

MLA Connect Coffee Hour: Summer Reading Programs 2020

With limited services, reduced access to library spaces, and socially distant staff and patrons, how should we approach summer reading programs? Join Cathy Lancaster from the Library of Michigan as we discuss the best practices and ideas for youth service staff to navigate through 2020 summer program ideas. View Coffee Hour Recording

MLA Connect Coffee Hour: Human Resources in the Time of COVID-19

Dealing with new and unexpected HR issues? Wondering how to handle employee schedules and pay during library closures? Interested in best practices to help guide you? Carol Stone, SPHR, Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations for the City of Midland will join MLA to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic from an HR Director’s perspective. Grab a cup of coffee and come with your questions ready at 10:00 am on Wednesday, May 13. Learn more and view the archived recording. 

MLA Connect Coffee Hour: COVID-19 in Small and Rural Libraries

Grab a cup of joe and join Director of the Presque Isle District Library, and newest member of the MLA Board of Directors, Amber Alexander, for a discussion on how COVID-19 has impacted smaller and rural libraries. MLA Event and Programming Director Amber Sheerin will facilitate this conversation and audience interaction and questions will be welcome! Learn more and view the archived recording.

MLA Connect Coffee Hour: Emotional Health During COVID-19

This is a time of uncertainty and we need to be intentional about how we care for ourselves and our community. In this conversation, we will discuss ways to adapt our expectations, increase self-compassion, focus on mindful awareness, and support each other. Join MLA and Casey J. Coker for a conversation about what self-care and community support look like and mean to you. View Coffee Hour Recording

Additional Information and Resources

▪    CDC guidelines

▪    CDC When to wear gloves

▪    CDC When and How to Wash your hands

▪    CDC Handwashing Posters

▪    CDC How to Protect Yourself and Others

▪    CDC Feeling Sick?Sign

▪    CDC Homemade FaceCoverings

▪    CDC Stop the Spread of Germs

▪    EPA Approved Cleaning and Disinfecting Supplies and Procedures

▪    FDA Best Practices for Pick-up/Delivery Services

▪    White HouseGuidelines

▪    Michigan.gov CoronavirusInformation

▪    GovernorWhitmer’sMISafeStartPlan

▪    Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders

▪    Disinfectants for COVID-19

▪    OSHA Guidance for Reopening

If you are laid off as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, you can apply for unemployment assistance online. Visit www.michigan.gov/UIA to file a claim. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license number, names and addresses of employers over the last 18 months, quarterly earnings, last day of employment at each place, employer's federal ID number and alien registration number if you aren't a U.S. citizen. Normally, you must register for work at Michigan Works! but this rule has been suspended to make it easier for those affected by the novel coronavirus to receive benefits. Read the press release here.

The Centers for Disease Control provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals.

The State of Michigan provides updates on the disease's spread within the state, as well as frequently asked questions available here.

The State Department provides a list of travel advisories for those who are planning to fly outside of the United States.

American Association of Law Libraries
AALL’s Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates & Resources

American Library Association
Pandemic Preparedness Resources for Libraries

American Library Association's Public Programs Office
Serving Patrons Experiencing Homelessness in a COVID-19 Shutdown
6 COVID-19 Resources You (Probably) Don’t Know About
COVID-19: Italian Librarians on the Lockdown

Association for Library Service to Children
Best Practices for Cleaning Play and Learn Spaces

Association of College and Research Libraries
Pandemic Resources for Academic Libraries

Association of Research Libraries
COVID-19 News & Resource Pages
Mitigating COVID-19: The Contribution Research Libraries Are Making

Foundation for Advancement in Conservation
Collections Care Amid COVID-19

Library of Congress
The Impact of Hand Sanitizers on Collection Materials

Medical Library Association
COVID-19 Resources for Medical Librarians & Other Health Information Professionals

National Center for Preservation Technology and Training
Isolating, Disinfecting, and Cleaning Historic Materials

National Network of Libraries of Medicine
A Guide to COVID-19 for Public Libraries

Northeast Document Conservation Center
Disinfecting Circulating Books

Public Library Association
PLA Resources on COVID-19

Small Business Administration
Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Society of American Archivists
Resources for Response to COVID-19 Health Crisis

Urban Library Council
Coronavirus Resources