FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Flagler County will reopen its libraries in Bunnell and Palm Coast on Monday, May 11, with the addition of making cloth face coverings mandatory.
The main Palm Coast library will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Bunnell Branch will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday only.
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“We are very excited to be able to reopen the library to our patrons with some limitations,” said Library Director Holly Albanese. “Everyone entering will be required to have a temperature check and wear facemasks. Use of hand sanitizer is strongly encouraged.”
Under phase one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to reopen Florida, libraries and museums are allowed to open back up at 25% capacity.
Library capacity is as follows:
| Maximum capacity | 25% capacity | |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Coast library | 500 | 125 |
| Children’s room | 50 | 12 |
| Teen Spot | 25 | 6 |
| DCR room | 46 | 11 |
| Main area (includes quiet reading room) | 265 | 66 |
| Meeting room (closed during phase one) | 119 | 30 |
| Bunnell library | 50 | 12 |
Due to the requirement of 25% capacity, all activity and seating internally -- including use of wireless, browsing for materials, photocopying and studying -- will be strictly limited to no more than two hours per day.
“We encourage patrons to quickly find what they need and enjoy their books or other items from the comfort of their own home,” Albanese said.
Services include the following:
- Computer use will be limited to a strict time limit of one hour of use per patron per day.
- No interactive programs, games, puzzles or use of meeting room space will be allowed at this time, which means total number of people allowed in the Palm Coast library during phase one is 95. The library staff will continue to make available via Facebook and YouTube online videos for storytime, crafts and computer-related instruction.
- Wireless access will be available from the parking lot 24/7.
- Curbside service will continue.
- Use of virtual/online resources is highly encouraged.
- Passport service will be available by appointment only.
- No Interlibrary Loan service during phase one.
- No donations will be accepted at this time.
- The library bookshop will be closed during phase one.
- Quiet reading room will be closed due to limited capacity.
Below is information about materials:
- Returned items will be quarantined for 24 hours prior to check-in and shelving or redistribution.
- Fines will be waived during phase one.
- Use of gloves when browsing is recommended. Staff will patrol every two hours for material that may have been removed from shelves by a patron. All items found will be put into quarantine for 24 hours.
“However, we cannot be responsible for a patron that looks at an item and places it back in its spot on the shelf,” Albanese said. “Please browse safely with your eyes and not with your hands.”
All residents and businesses are reminded to abide by executive and emergency orders, and follow Florida Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, to include:
- Staying home except when engaged in essential services or activities.
- Practicing social distancing at all times -- people should keep a minimum of 6 feet of space between one another, and keep groups to less than 10, which includes while shopping, dining and exercising.
- Wearing cloth face coverings when out in public and unable to maximize your social distancing -- more information about why to wear one and where to get one is available at on the COVID-19 page.
- Frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based (at least 60% alcohol) hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- Avoiding close contact with people who are, or may be, sick.
In addition, those who are sick and/or told to self-isolate are to: remain at home unless seeking medical care, cover coughs and sneezes, wear a facemask around others and disinfect touched surfaces daily.
COVID-19 testing is available for Flagler County residents by making an appointment at 877-847-8747 or by visiting www.FlaglerCounty.org, and following the links for COVID-19 and then Screening & Testing.
COVID-19 health-related questions or concerns should be directed to your regular healthcare provider or the Florida Health hotline at 866-779-6121.
COVID-19 business concerns should be directed to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at 866-532-1440.
All other COVID-19 government services questions or concerns may be directed to a specific municipality or the Emergency Operations Center at 386-313-4200.
Check for current information on Flagler County’s website www.flaglercounty.org, and follow “Flagler County Government” or “Flagler County Emergency Management” on social media. The county’s social media team will provide updates through these official accounts: