Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library announces phased reopening

In less than two weeks, the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library will begin a phased reopening of its facilities.

Phase one of the library’s reopening plan will begin on May 18, according to a news release Thursday from the library’s communications director. Though the library won’t open to the public on that date, it will begin accepting book returns, and the Engroff Eats food truck will be in the library’s parking lot to offer food normally served at the in-house Millennium Cafe.

According to the news release, the library also won’t charge late fees on any items checked out in 2020.

Phase two of the library’s reopening is scheduled to begin on May 26. At that point, the library will offer curbside pickup of books and DVDs. Library patrons will be able to pick up reserved items from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Phase three of the reopening plan is set to begin no later than June 15. Curbside pickup will continue, and the library will also open its facilities with limited services and hours. Library hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. During phase three, the library’s Millennium Cafe is expected to offer to-go meals.

According to the library’s news release, the staff’s focus during phase three will be on providing access to public computers, Wi-Fi and library collections. Social distancing will be enforced, and all library visitors will be required to wear a mask. The library also won’t allow more than 225 visitors into the building at a time.

“The library is thinking of this proposed timeline as being on a dial," said Gina Millsap, the library’s CEO. "We may move the dial forward to offer more hours and services, but we may also move it back to ensure that we are following the most current recommendations from local health officials.”

Library personnel plan to announce additional reopening phases at a later date, as the facility gradually returns to its normal operations. The plan is subject to change in accordance with Shawnee County Health Department recommendations.

The library has been closed since March 16 and has focused on providing access to online collections and virtual services since then. The phased reopening plan was agreed to at a meeting Wednesday of the library’s board of trustees.