Library Updates (Covid-19 FAQs)

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Library Updates (Covid-19 FAQs)

Library Hours

In an effort to help reduce community spread of the coronavirus, starting Monday, Nov. 23 both the Main Library and Ossian Branch will be operating with reduced hours. Hours will remain reduced until Wells County is a blue, yellow, or orange county for three consecutive weeks, as defined by the Indiana Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard at www.coronavirus.in.gov.

Bluffton-Main Library Hours (week of Nov. 23-28 – hours reduced further due to Thanksgiving)

Monday, Nov. 23: 10am-6pm
Tuesday: Nov. 24: 12-8pm
Wednesday, Nov. 25: 10am-5pm
Thursday, Nov. 26: closed
Friday, Nov. 27: closed
Saturday, Nov. 28: 9am-12pm

Ossian Branch Hours (week of Nov. 23-28 – hours reduced further due to Thanksgiving)

Monday, Nov. 23: 12-8 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 24: 10am-6pm
Wednesday, Nov. 25: 10am-5pm
Thursday, Nov. 26: closed
Friday, Nov. 27: closed
Saturday, Nov. 28: 9am-12pm

Bluffton-Main Library Hours (starting week of Nov. 30)

Monday: 10am-6pm
Tuesday: 12-8pm
Wednesday: 10am-6pm
Thursday: 10am-6pm
Friday: 10am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-12pm

Ossian Branch Hours (starting week of Nov. 30)

Monday: 12-8 pm
Tuesday: 10am-6pm
Wednesday: 10am-6pm
Thursday: 10am-6pm
Friday: 10am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-12pm

Library Updates

The library is also currently operating at 50 percent capacity at both the Main Library and Ossian Branch. Since people will be limited inside the building, we ask that you try to browse for items quickly, limit your time on the computers, and consider using Curbside Pickup temporarily.

These services are currently not available or modified slightly:

Book-a-Librarian – one-on-one help sessions are not available as of 11/19/2020.
Indiana Room Assistance – currently limited and available by appointment only as of 11/19/2020. Please call 260-824-1612 and ask for the Reference Desk to schedule an appointment for genealogy or local history assistance.
Most library-sponsored programs are currently canceled or postponed as of 11/19/2020. Visit the Online Library Calendar for current info.

Face masks

Face masks are required in all of our buildings and we will follow guidelines in Executive Order 20-48 for qualified exemptions. If you medically can’t wear a face mask, we recommend using our Curbside Pickup service, which offers contact-less pickup.

Social Distance

Please social distance by at least 6 feet when inside our buildings and looking for materials or near checkout locations. Public access computers will be separated to allow for social distance.

Make sure to read the FAQs below about specific questions regarding library services.

We will post updates to this section if anything changes.

Updated: 11/20/2020

FAQs

Are you offering Curbside Pickup?

We offer Curbside Pickup at both our Main Library and Ossian Branch during library hours. To use Curbside Pickup, place items on hold online through your account or call us during library hours to reserve items.

Our staff will then get those items pulled for you. You will receive either an email notification or phone call when items are ready to pickup. Once you have received the notification that items are available, you can pick them up in the designated Curbside Pickup spot at either the Main Library or Ossian Branch. Once you have arrived to the spot outside our buildings, just give us a call and let us know that you are here to pickup items.

Call for Curbside Assistance:

Main Library (Bluffton): 260-824-1612
Ossian Branch: 260-622-4691

Items can be picked up during current library hours. See current hours above.

Can you recommend any good resources on Covid-19?

Get more info on COVID-19 at:

Indiana State Department of Health – https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/
Centers for Disease Control – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

How are materials handled after they are returned?

Items are quarantined for 24 hours after they are returned before they are put back on the shelf and available for checkout.

Are face masks required?

Yes, face masks are required at both the Main Library and Ossian Branch. Read Executive Order 20-48 for more information.

If you medically are not able to wear a face mask inside our buildings, we encourage you to use Curbside Pickup to get items currently.

Are you taking reservations for Room Rentals?

All meetings that were currently scheduled must meet social distancing and face mask requirements set forth by the State of Indiana and the Indiana Department of Health. New reservations may be limited depending on the current color level for Wells County, as defined by the Indiana Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard and County Metrics map at www.coronavirus.in.gov. Meetings and social events cannot exceed the recommended limits based on the Covid-19 County Metrics and Requirements.

Digital Library and Website

We understand that many people are looking for digital resources right now to keep children and yourself entertained. We highlight many of these resources weekly on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Read books, audiobooks and magazines on your computer or the Libby app
Homeschool resources
Discover children’s games and practice tests on our fun websites page
Find books we recommend for teens
And discover online research tools

The Main Library (Bluffton) and the Ossian Branch will start reduced hours on Nov. 23. Get details at: wellscolibrary.org/coronavirus.