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Wednesday, March 11th 2020
3/11/2020

Dear Patrons,
The current health emergency is causing anxiety across our community. The Town and the Library are sensitive to that, and want to apprise you of the steps we are taking to address the situation.
The Public Library of Brookline is working closely with the Brookline Office of Public Health and other Town Departments to monitor the latest information and guidelines provided by the by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Library’s highest priority is the health and well-being of library users, staff and volunteers. To help ensure that our library is safe and welcoming to all, we have implemented a strategy that prioritizes prevention. At present, there is no change in our hours, however, we are taking the following precautions:
  • In response to the Governor’s State of Emergency declaration and recommendation that non-essential gatherings be canceled, we are canceling all library programs through April 30, 2020.
  • We are also closing our public meeting rooms to outside use through April 30, 2020 and will be in touch with any group scheduled to use these spaces.
  • You will find hand sanitizer at all public service desks. Our restrooms have plenty of hot water and soap for washing hands.
  • We are doubling down on our cleaning of high-touch areas, such as door handles, stair railings, public computers, and other surfaces.
  • There is COVID-19 information posted throughout the library building.
  • Out of an abundance of caution, we are removing toys, puzzles, Chromebooks, Launchpads, and games from our public areas. We will re-introduce these popular items as soon as we feel it is safe to do so.
Things are changing quickly and the library will continue to work closely with the Brookline Office of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to determine if other actions are warranted. Please check the library website and social media for frequent updates.
Remember – here are a few things you can do to help take care of your health and help protect others:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water (20 seconds of scrubbing) or use alcohol-based hand cleaners (cover all surfaces and rub until dry).
  • Cough/sneeze into a tissue. Dispose of used tissues immediately into a trash can. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not your hands.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, which accelerates the spread of infections.
  • If you’re not feeling well, please stay home.
  • Visit https://www.brooklinema.gov/covid-19 for the latest Town updates and information on COVID-19.
It is important to remember that COVID-19 isn't connected to race, ethnicity or nationality. Stigma will not help fight the illness. Sharing accurate information from trusted sources is critical to reduce misinformation. Find reliable and current information about the outbreak from local, state, and national agencies below.
Town Administrator Mel Kleckner has issued a statement to the residents of Brookline, please read that here.

Please sign up here for Alert Brookline to receive push notifications from the Town.
We thank you for your continued support and for helping keep Brookline safe and welcoming.

Stay Healthy!

Sara Slymon
Library Director
Trusted Health Resources
Enjoy Your Library from the Comfort of Your Home
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