Warsaw Library Sees Resistance To Wearing Masks
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Those who wish to use Warsaw Community Public Library’s services need to wear masks.
WCPL Library Director Ann Zydek noted in the library board’s Oct. 19 meeting that issues with mask-wearing compliance have arisen in recent days. Zydek recalled an incident where a library patron moved tables closer together and was asked by staff to separate the tables. Aside from refusing to comply, the person’s behavior resulted in them being trespassed from the property.
“What we have said to our staff…if someone wants assistance and they are not wearing a mask or distancing as they should, they can decline to give them service at that point,” said Zydek. “That’s a concern that’s started to develop. We require mask-wearing. We also have a quarantine for materials that’s for 72 hours.”
Zydek said masks are available for patrons to use and wear if they forget to bring a mask to the library. One of the library’s study rooms has also reopened for public use, according to Zydek.
“A family can use our room and take off their masks, if they’re from the same family,” said Zydek. “But they’re supposed to clean it up afterward and our staff cleans it as well.”
In other business, the board also approved the library’s 2021 budget at $3,710,000. Of that, $200,000 is for the library’s rainy day fund.
Library staff have also recently established a “seed library.” Patrons can pick out seeds they would like to plant and sign out the ones they choose to take home. If possible, patrons are asked to harvest seeds to bring back to the library for others to enjoy. Patrons who want to donate seeds can do so and are asked to bring them in labeled bags so staff can prepare them for display.
The board’s next meeting is at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9.