Thanks to a relaxing of restrictions for counties in Phase 2 of the Washington Safe Start Plan on June 2, libraries across the state can start re-instituting services.

While branches on the Olympic Peninsula remain closed, local library leaders said they have been working on reopening plans for weeks and look to offer some services — including curbside pickup of held materials, and limited Outreach to the Homebound deliveries — later this month.

But those services and an eventual opening of branches will take some time to coordinate. Librarians, in coordination with state officials and the Governor’s office, are developing procedures for staff social distancing along with the safe handling of returned materials for the expected heavy return rates, such as having extended periods of quarantine for the returned materials so they can be safely processed.

“Restarting library operations under conditions where transmission of coronavirus remains a continuing concern is an extremely complex matter,” said Margaret Jakubcin outgoing Library Director for the North Olympic Library System (NOLS).

“Retail operations have been leading the way in developing curbside delivery methods. However, unlike retail operations, where products mostly flow in one direction, libraries have to make provision for safe handling and decontamination of borrowed materials, as they are returned from households throughout the county, and before they are re-shared with others.”

Thanks to a heavier-than-normal check-out rate just prior to the library system’s shutdown in March, NOLS has about 40,000 items out on loan — approximately 10 percent more than is usual at any normal time. Thanks to the aforementioned closure, returns have not been accepted for about three months.

Curbside pickup arrangements will vary somewhat from branch to branch, NOLS officials said, reflecting different site layouts and available staffing as well as the different demographics and needs of each library community.

“We’ve been working on these logistics for weeks” said assistant director Noah Glaude, NOLS’s incoming Library Director.

“Public library service models during Phase 2 and 3 of Washington’s Safe Start will look very different than what we’re all used to, but NOLS is excited to now have the necessary guidance on operating requirements, and the green light to finalize our plans and move ahead.”

Though Phase 2 places limits on allowed library services, NOLS’s annual Summer Reading Program will resume on June 15. The COVID-19 pandemic will be different than past years, NOLS representatives said, but will still have a reading challenge with incentives to earn a special NOLS T-shirt, chances to win prizes and virtual events for all ages.

More information about how to participate in the Summer Reading Program will be made available this week (June 8-12).

See www.nols.org or call 360-683-1161, x2 for more information.