COVID-19: What You Need to Know
October 2021 Update: Starting Monday, October 18th, 2021 the following will be the new regular library hours:
Monday - 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday - 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday - 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
June 2021 Update: Starting today (Tuesday, June 8th, 2021) masks are not required while visiting the library for those who are fully vaccinated or medically exempt. For those who are not vaccinated, mask-wearing is recommended but not required.
May 2021 Update: Beginning Monday, May 17th, 2021 the following will be the new regular library hours:
Monday - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday - Closed
Thursday - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday - 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday - 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
April 2021 Update: We are now open for in-person browsing! Here are the details:
- Everything that was in the foyer, including your hold requests, is now back at our main desk.
- We will continue to operate on our modified hours of Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM / 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM and Friday from 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM.
- Furniture will be re-arranged but a few tables and chairs will remain available in case you need to sit for a few.
- Office services (copies, faxes, scanning, shredding) and public computer use is still available.
- For sanitary purposes, we will continue to sanitize returned materials and quarantine them for one night before they go back into circulation.
- Storytimes will remain virtual.
Mask wearing will remain mandatory for entry into the library. Please see a staff member with any questions you may have.
We also are now accepting book donations. Click here to read more about the types of donations we accept.
03/08/2021 Update: The library now offers public computer access and office services, such as copies, faxes, scanning, and shredding.
12/21/2020 Update: The library is closed and will re-open on December 28, 2020. All items that were due back between December 10 and December 27 are now due on December 28 with no overdue fees or fines.
12/10/2020 Update: The library now only offers contactless service. Items now get a 3-week checkout instead of 2-weeks (excluding mobile hotspots and Chromebooks). Items are pre-checked out to you to expedite the pickup process; simply grab-and-go from the vestibule once you enter the first set of doors in the library.
10/05/2020 Update: On October 5, 2020 the library opened it's doors to the public and now offers Grab-N-Go service. Masks are required to enter the library.
05/26/2020 Update: On June 1, 2020, the library will reopen for curbside service.
05/20/2020 Update: On May 22, 2020, Juniata County will move into the yellow phase. Our library is making preparations for reopening in a modified capacity and will publish those details once available.
05/06/2020 Update: On May 8th, 2020, 24 counties in Pennsylvania will reach the yellow phase for reopening. Juniata County Library is not included in the group of 24 counties and will continue to remain closed until further notice.
04/06/2020 Update: All checked out materials have been renewed until May 27th. No overdue fines/fees will accrue. Our book drop has been locked so please do not return any library materials at this time.
03/30/2020 Update: Governor Tom Wolf today extended the closure of all K-12 Pennsylvania schools until further notice. Consistent with the Governor’s order to close Pennsylvania schools indefinitely, and the Public Library Code which grants the Deputy Secretary for Libraries the power and duty to “coordinate a Statewide system of local libraries” (24 PA.C.S. § 9311(b)(5)), the Office of Commonwealth Libraries directs Pennsylvania public libraries to remain closed until further notice is given. Read the full memo by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3bBQTPb
We have created a brief video explaining how the library is handling the COVID-19 outbreak. You can watch it by clicking here or following this link: https://youtu.be/EhZWBHOd0tI
03/23/2020 Update: Per the order of Governor Wolf regarding non-life-sustaining businesses, the Juniata County Library will be closed until further notice. No overdue fines or fees will be assessed during this time. We encourage you to check our website for updates and use our digital library which is available 24/7.
03/14/2020 Update: The Juniata County Library will be closing today March 14th 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Following the guidelines of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the library will be closed from Monday, March 16- Sunday, March 29.
While we regret the inconvenience this may cause, we are ever mindful of the health and safety of our community and our staff.
Programs at the library - all programs are canceled, including the book sale.
Always open 24/7 - on our website and eBranch:
https://centralpalibraries.overdrive.com/
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What you need to know about COVID-19
With heightened concerns about the Coronavirus (aka COVID-19), there is a steady stream of information circulating in the news, on the internet, and on social media. As librarians, we know how important it is to find reliable, accurate information to make educated decisions for yourself and your family. We have pulled together some helpful sources for you.
Some measures you can take to keep healthy include frequent handwashing, practicing cough and sneeze hygiene, and limiting contact with others when ill.
- World Health Organization – Clean Hands Protect Against Infection
- Health 24 – Cough Etiquette – Yes, there is a right way to cough and here’s how
What are the symptoms?
When it causes symptoms, coronavirus causes a person to have a fever, dry cough, fatigue, and breathing difficulty. Coronavirus may also cause a person to have body aches, nasal congestion or runny nose, a sore throat, or diarrhea. These symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks after exposure to COVID-19 and may be mild symptoms that can be treated at home or may be severe symptoms that require professional medical care.
COVID-19 may not cause symptoms at all (this is called an asymptomatic case). Healthy people with strong immune systems who get COVID-19 may unknowingly spread the illness to others who are more likely to have a more severe illness, such as immunocompromised persons or the elderly.
How does it spread?
Coronavirus is thought to primarily spread through close contact with people who have the virus. Standing close (within 3-6 feet) of someone who coughs or sneezes may expose you to the virus. The virus is airborne for a short period of time and can be inhaled. It also lands on nearby surfaces and objects. Touching that surface or object and then touching your face, eyes, mouth, or nose can expose you to the virus but the chance of it spreading on surfaces is low. Coronavirus may be able to live on surfaces for a few hours to a few days, but research is still being performed to determine how long it lives outside a person. The best defense is:
- Limiting exposure;
- Frequent handwashing with warm water for 20 seconds;
- Sanitizing high-touch surfaces.
Coronavirus Dos
DO Limit exposure
Don’t hoard masks. If you already have COVID-19, a standard medical mask can help you keep others from being exposed. If you are caring for someone with COVID-19, instructions for proper use of medical masks to prevent your exposure can be found here.
DO Stay home if unwell. If symptoms are severe or include difficulty breathing, seek prompt medical attention.
The higher-grade masks (N95s and similar) require special training for effectiveness and more importantly are urgently needed by doctors, nurses, and medical personnel who have a much higher risk of exposure and have the training to use them appropriately.
DO Frequent handwashing. IF handwashing is not available, use a sanitizer with 60-95% alcohol
Don’t take antivirals or antibiotics unless it is a current prescription from a doctor. Antibiotics won’t do anything for any virus, including COVID-19. It is unknown if current antivirals are effective against COVID-19.
DO Sanitize high touch surfaces (doorknobs, remote controls, light switches, cell phones)
Coronavirus Don’ts
Don’t go out if you’re sick. Keep others healthy!
DO Practice cough and sneeze hygiene.
Don’t travel to places with active outbreaks. View the map here.
DO Avoid going to places with active outbreaks. View the map here.
DO Avoid touching hands, eyes, mouth.
DO Make or review your emergency preparedness plan for your family.