Jasper County Public Library and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In accordance with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s Executive Order 21-12, effective May 1, 2021, and continuing through May 31, 2021, all individuals are encouraged to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth and where six (6) feet of social distancing cannot be achieved and maintained between individuals not in the same household, as wearing a face covering helps prevent an infected person from spreading the disease and similarly helps prevent a healthy person from becoming infected when in close contact with a person with COVID – 19.

Patrons, vendors, and any other non-employees will provide their own face coverings.

The library has numerous services and will gladly discuss alternatives to in-person visits including:

• Curbside pick-up of library materials
• Phone reference
• Phone assistance with materials selection and placing holds on requested materials
• Online FAXing
• Hotspots are available for check-out
• Public wifi is available outside the library building from 7am to 9pm (please maintain 6-ft social distance)

To read the Governor’s Executive Order 21-12 in its entirety, please visit https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm.

Face coverings are required in accordance with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb's Executive Order 21-06, which extends the Face Covering Requirement through March 31, 2021. To read the Governor’s Executive Order 21-02: Face Covering Requirement in its entirety, please visit https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

Mon February 1: Face coverings will be required through February 28.

Face coverings are required in accordance with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb's Executive Order 21-02, which extends the Face Covering Requirement of Executive Order 21-01 through February 28, 2021. To read the Governor’s Executive Order 21-02: Face Covering Requirement in its entirety, please visit https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

Mon January 25: Face coverings will be required through January 31.

Face coverings are required in accordance with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb's Executive Order 21-01, that extends the Face Covering Requirement of Executive Order 20-50 through January 31, 2021. To read the Governor’s Executive Order 20-50: Face Covering Requirement in its entirety, please visit https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

Mon January 4: Face coverings will be required through January 24.

Face coverings are required in accordance with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb's Executive Order 20-53, which extends the Face Covering Requirement of executive Order 20-43 through January 24, 2021. To read the Governor’s Executive Order 20-48: Face Covering Requirement in its entirety, please visit https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

Mon December 14: Face coverings will be required through January 3.

Face coverings are required in accordance with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb's Executive Order 20-50, that extends the Face Covering Requirement of through January 3, 2021.

Thu December 10: Due to the very high positivity and community spread in Jasper County at this time, only very basic technology help will be provided, observing social distancing (as offered in Phase 4).

Wed November 20: We are now offering appointments outside of our public hours for high-risk and vulnerable individuals. For more information, call your local branch.  DeMotte (219) 987-2221, Rensselaer (219) 866-5881, Wheatfield (219) 956-3774

Fri November 13: Face coverings will be required through December 12.

Face coverings are required in accordance with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb's Executive Order 20-48, that extends the Face Covering Requirement of through December 12, 2020.

Thurs October 15: Face coverings will be required through November 14.

Face coverings are required in accordance with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s Executive Order 20-46, that extends the Face Covering Requirement of Executive Order 20-43 through November 14, 2020.

Wed October 7: JCPL will move to Phase 5 of our Covid-19 Plan of Action on Thursday, October 8, 2020. 

JCPL will move to Phase 5 of our Covid-19 Plan of Action Phased Reopening effective Thursday, October 8, 2020. 

Fri September 25: Face coverings will be required through October 17.

In accordance with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s Executive Order 20-43, effective immediately and through October 17, 2020, face coverings will still be required at JCPL.

Wed August 26: Face Coverings will be required for another 30 days 

In accordance with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb's Executive Order 20-42, effective immediately and continuing for a period of 30 days until September 25, 2020 face coverings will still be required at JCPL.

Fri June 24: Starting Monday July 27, Face Coverings will be required for 30 days 

In accordance with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s Executive Order 20-37, effective Monday, July 27, 2020 and continuing for a period of 30 days until August 26, 2020 face coverings will be required at JCPL.

Fri June 12: We are reopening our libraries on Thursday, June 18 

We are reopening our libraries on Thursday, June 18. Things will look different. Our hours and services are limited. We are excited to see and help you, while social distancing of course.

What to expect:

Limited Hours

All JCPL Locations will be open the following hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10am-5pm

Tuesday: 10am-7pm

Friday, Saturday: 10am-4pm

Curbside service will still be offered.

Limited Services

• Check out materials / pick up holds
• Make Copies
• Faxing
• Pick up tax forms
• Pay fines
• Renew materials
• Get a library card
• Microfilm viewing
• Browse books / movies / magazines / newspapers
• Use computer for a 30-minute session

Print / Copy / Fax available without appointment

What Will Be Different?

• Ten (10) patrons allowed in the library at any given time for up to 30 minutes
• Children 15 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult
• Facial coverings are recommended
• Social distancing will be observed
• Return materials in outside book drops only; items will be quarantined for 72 hours before check-in (no fines)
• Computers disinfected between use
• No material donations accepted
• Conference and study rooms are not available

Thu June 11: Walking Books are back!

Are you home-bound or in a senior living facility and are missing physical items from your library?

Our Walking Books Service is now available again to residents of the Jasper County Public Library service district who are home bound, either on a permanent or temporary basis.

Books, magazines, audio books, non-fiction videos, and movie videos can be checked out through the Walking Books Service. Items will be delivered safely and directly to your home (or facility).

If you need this service please call your local library – Rensselaer Library 219-866-5881, DeMotte Library 219-987-2221, Wheatfield Library 219-956-3774. A staff member will help you enroll in the Walking Books Program and begin to service you as soon as possible. 

If you do not have a library card, a library card can be obtained for this service.

This service includes the ability for you to request a certain book, magazine, movie, etc. that you are interested in (and it will be delivered to you when it is available); or we can choose items for you depending on your interests. This service is only for home-bound patrons.

Patrons who feel sick in any way will not be able to participate in the service until the next delivery is scheduled. Walking Books patrons receive deliveries on a regular schedule. Walking Books Services can change without notice when/if needs arise because of COVID-19.

Thu June 4: We are open by appointment for Copy / Fax / Print services.

We are now OPEN for your COPY / PRINT / FAX needs By APPOINTMENT. Call your library (Rensselaer 219-866-5881 | DeMotte 219-987-2221 | Wheatfield 219-956-3774) to set up an appointment.

Appointments are 20 minutes, available each half-hour during Curbside Service hours. One person is permitted in the library at a time. Patrons and staff will practice social distancing.

Library computers cannot be booked for general browsing at this time, only for printing. No browsing or checking out of materials is permitted at this time. Use curbside services for these items.

Facial coverings are recommended. Staff will be disinfecting between appointments. Please do not use this service if you feel sick in any way.

Thu May 21: Curbside Pickup is here!

Are you missing physical items from your library? If you would like a certain book, magazine, movie, etc., reserve them online at www.myjcpl.org
 or call your local library – Rensselaer Library 219-866-5881, DeMotte Library 219-987-2221, Wheatfield Library 219-956-3774 to reserve your items.

We will gather the items you request, and place holds on the items that are not currently available. We will need 24 hours to gather all available items. Once the items you have on hold are available for pick-up you will be notified. Bring your library card and pick up the items when you are ready. Curbside pick-up is available during limited hours.

Please do not use curb-side service if you are feeling sick in any way. Once you arrive at the library for curbside pick-up, please open your trunk/hatch and call the library number posted on the sign. Verify your library card number (or your address on file). Library staff will bring out your materials to your vehicle and place them in your trunk/hatch. Once the staff member is a safe distance away for social distancing feel free to close your trunk/hatch.

Please return any library materials you plan to return in the book drop or AV drop yourself. We will be unable to get the items you are returning out of your trunk/hatch for you.

Are you excited?! ???? We are too.

Fri May 15: Are you ready to return your stacks of library materials?

We are sure they enjoyed their extended stay in your homes. We all know the feeling of guests overstaying their welcome, so we have some good news for you.

OUR BOOK DROPS ARE NOW OPEN. ????

Our libraries are still closed to the public, but you can return your materials at any time. Book drop returns will be quarantined for 72 hours before being checked in and removed from patron accounts. No late fees are being charged. Have questions? Give us a call!

Mon May 11: Good Morning! Staff are returning to our library buildings today. Welcome back, staff!

However, our library buildings remain closed to the public as we work to restore access to physical materials and implement our safe phased-in restart. Today and tomorrow we will be training staff on new protocols and procedures so staff will not be answering our phones yet, but beginning on Wednesday, May 13, staff will be answering our library phones. We look forward to speaking with you! It will be good to hear your voice!

Mon May 4: We know you're anxiously awaiting the reopening of your library doors. We are too!

While we plan for JCPL staff to return to our library buildings on May 11, our doors will remain closed to the public as we work to restore access to physical materials and plan a safe phased-in restart. Please continue to follow us on social media and visit our website myjcpl.org for updates on new services coming soon, including curbside pick-up. 

Tue Apr 7: Please read the message below from our Library Director.

As a reminder, please do not return items to the library. YOU WILL NOT BE FINED DURING THIS TIME. Return items to the library when we have reopened.

Greetings!  Even though our library buildings are closed we are still working virtually and remotely to meet community needs and provide resources. We continue to clean and secure our buildings and take care of essential business. These are unprecedented times but we are doing all that we can do to prevent community spread and keep staff and patrons as safe as we can. I do not know when our library buildings will re-open. For now we will follow our Governor's directives to hunker down. I do want you to know that we are working on our Re-Open Plans. There will be phases to our re-opening as we consider how to safely work together and serve our public. We are following and will continue to follow guidance provided by federal, state, and local officials. We are working hard to stay apprised of best practices. We miss you and look forward to the day that we can re-open our beautiful library buildings.

Patty Stringfellow, Director
Jasper County Public Library

Wed Mar 25: During the COVID-19 shutdown, please do not return items to the library. BOOK DROPS ARE LOCKED. YOU WILL NOT BE FINED DURING THIS TIME. Return items to the library when we have reopened.   

More information to come, but if you have questions, please ASK on our Facebook page!
If you want to access our digital resources but are unable to at this time, please send an email to eparrish@myjcpl.org with your name and phone number. We will get you set up as soon as possible to begin (or continue) taking advantage of these great resources!

Wed Mar 18: We hope everyone's staying well! We've had a few patrons contacting us because they are having trouble accessing our digital resources. The two main reasons are likely 1) your card has expired in our system (yes, cards are set to 'expire' just so we can periodically confirm/update your information) or 2) you are not in our system (patrons who have never had a card or have not used/updated their cards in a few years and have been purged from our system). But do not fret! We want to help! If you want to access our digital resources but are unable to at this time, please send an email to eparrish@myjcpl.org with your name and phone number. We will get you set up as soon as possible to begin (or continue) taking advantage of these great resources!

Mon. Mar 16: In an abundance of caution, all of our Jasper County Public Library locations – Rensselaer, DeMotte, Wheatfield - will be closed until further notice due to COVID - 19. The health and safety of our patrons and staff remain our top priority. While the library is closed, please continue to enjoy our digital collections, including ebooks, audiobooks, streaming movies, and digital magazines. Learn more We will continue to provide updates in every effort to give you the latest information. Do not worry about overdue fines or returning items at this time. Due dates will be extended. More information to come, but if you have questions, please ask!

Sun. Mar. 15:  All Jasper County Public Library locations - Rensselaer DeMotte and Wheatfield - will be closed Monday,  March 16, so that Administration can develop a Pandemic Plan. More information will be coming, so please follow us on Facebook and visit our website myjcpl.org.

Sat. Mar. 14:  Effective Monday, March 16, the remainder of our March library programs are canceled. 

This is a wonderful time to point you to our online resources - ebooks, emagazines, movies, and more - which are available 24/7 through our website. Learn more

Fri. Mar 13:  A note from our Library Director…

Jasper County Public Library Community,

We have been closely monitoring COVID – 19. I am certain you have been, too. For the past week we have been business as usual, but this week there have been new things to think about and discuss and new actions to take. We are striving for a response that is steady, measured, and incremental as is warranted. We will balance need for our services against our potential for becoming a place where COVID – 19 can be transmitted and spread. We will follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control, the Indiana State Department of Health, the Jasper County Health Department and other federal, state, and local officials. We have elevated our normal cleaning procedures, thoroughly and more frequently disinfecting shared surfaces and high traffic areas such as doors, counters and computers. Regarding library programs, the Governor and the Indiana State Department of Health have recommended that small, non-essential gatherings held in venues that do not allow social distancing of six feet per person should be postponed or cancelled. We are following these directives, so programs that do not allow for recommended social distancing will be cancelled. Regarding community use of our meeting rooms, groups reserving these rooms will be made aware of the aforementioned recommendation for social distancing. Those groups are required to self monitor. Study rooms are for single use only due to social distancing. Non-essential doors will remain open to avoid touching.
 
We know that you rely upon us to provide factual information on any given topic. Here are some good resources for information regarding COVID – 19:

World Health Organization https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Indiana State Department of Health https://www.in.gov/isdh/28470.htm

Jasper County Health Dept. https://www.jaspercountyin.gov/department/index.php?structureid=20 

Our response is subject to change as new information presents itself. We will update you as needed. If you have any questions please ask!

Patty Stringfellow, Director
Jasper County Public Library