COVID-19 Updates & Resources

last updated: 4/7/2020 11:18 AM CT

IHLS and SHARE are closely monitoring the situation state-wide and nation-wide, including recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and steps being considered and taken by libraries across the state and the nation. Please be assured that we will be working together to adapt our procedures and recommendations as the situation continues to evolve. Please pay close attention to our website and your email for additional communications in the coming weeks.​

IHLS buildings closed, Delivery suspension extended through April 30, 2020. 

 

IHLS Delivery Suspended through April 30*

RAILS Delivery is currently also suspended. Thank you for your patience as we navigate this crisis. As always, feel free to reach out to IHLS Delivery staff by email:

Champaign hub:   Linda Kates lkates@illinoisheartland.org
Edwardsville/Carbondale hubs:   Linda Petty lpetty@illinoisheartland.org
Director of Operations:   Susan Palmer spalmer@illinoisheartland.org

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Library Closings

Known Closings of IHLS Libraries

If your library is closed and not on this list, please let us know using the directions below.

Known Illinois Public Library Closures Map

If your library is closed and not on this list, please let us know using the directions below.

 

REPORTING CLOSINGS NOW THROUGH APRIL 30*

Schools: School libraries are automatically being added to closing list for the duration of the State of Illinois executive orders. For SHARE members, patrons will not accrue fines.

All Other IHLS-Only Members: Delivery has currently been suspended. However, we would still like members to report their closures using the No Delivery Request Form. This information will be used to update a publicly available list of library closures (coming soon).

All Other IHLS-SHARE Members: If your library has determined that it needs to close, please remember to notify SHARE by completing the Closing Dates Form to update your settings in Polaris. If you would like to check your closing dates, you can go to Utilities >> Reports and Notices >> Tools >> Dates Closed.

 

REPORTING CLOSINGS STARTING MAY 1*

Schools: School libraries are automatically being added to closing list for the duration of the State of Illinois executive orders. For SHARE members, patrons will not accrue fines.​

All Other IHLS-Only Members: If your library has determined that it will be closed, please notify IHLS Delivery by completing the No Delivery Request Form.

All Other IHLS-SHARE Members: If your library has determined that you need to close, please notify both IHLS Delivery by completing the No Delivery Request Form AND SHARE by completing the Closing Dates Form to update your settings in Polaris. If you would like to check your closing dates, you can go to Utilities >> Reports and Notices >> Tools >> Dates Closed.

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Canceling Events

All three IHLS locations are currently closed. IHLS and SHARE in-person events are currently canceled and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for opportunities for virtual attendance. 

*Dates subject to change in response to recommendations and mandates
by the CDC, IDPH, and state and federal governments.

Additional Notices for SHARE Members

When libraries are open and IHLS Delivery is Suspended:

• SHARE Executive Council recommends all SHARE libraries suspend fines until normal operations resume

• Local holds only when libraries are open and IHLS Delivery is suspended

• Patron notices have been disabled 

• Requests for library-specific, temporary changes to item due dates, number of renewals, or fines cannot be accommodated at this time​

• Many libraries have given permission to extend due dates or add additional renewals during this time. For a list, please see the SHARE website. If you would like to add your library to the list, please contact Cassandra Thompson.

For additional details, please read the IHLS and SHARE member updates in the News section of this page.

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IHLS and SHARE Staff Working Remotely

Beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020, all IHLS/SHARE staff who could work from home were strongly encouraged to do so. Only essential staff were to be present be in our three hubs, and when they did they were to continue to practice good cold hygiene and social distancing. Effective 5 PM Saturday, March 22--the time designated for the State of Illinois stay-at-home executive order to go into effect--IHLS/SHARE staff are required to work from home. 

To reach office staff who are working remotely, please email them or leave your email address in your voice message.

While delivery is paused, our couriers and sorters will not be able to work. All will be paid as normal based on their routine schedule. 

When staff return to IHLS physical locations: To help prevent the spread of disease, IHLS will direct staff, including drivers, with suspected cold and flu symptoms to go home. To encourage compliance, all staff are eligible for sick leave during this period—this includes part-time staff. Additionally, employees who are able to work from home are encouraged to do so as needed.

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Resources for Librarians

About COVID-19: virus, symptoms, transmission prevention, mitigation

State of Illinois Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response - This state-led website will provide the latest news releases related to coronavirus, video archives of press conferences, and tips from leading experts to keep you and your family safe. It also features a county map of COVID-19 cases.

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) - Within the state, IDPH and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) are a reliable first stop for information. ​IDPH Resources of Note: 

• IDPH hotline for questions: 800-889-3931
• Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities webpages
• COVID-19 Social Distancing sign/poster

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Nationally, the CDC is charged with monitoring the outbreak and routinely issues bulletins with updated information regarding COVID-19. ​CDC Resources of Note:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpages
• CDC COVID-19 Newsroom
• MMWR Weekly - The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Often called “the voice of CDC,” the MMWR  series is the agency’s primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. MMWR  readership predominately consists of physicians, nurses, public health practitioners, epidemiologists and other scientists, researchers, educators, and laboratorians.
  • Early Release April 1: Presymptomatic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 [coronavirus] — Singapore, January 23–March 16, 2020
  • March 26: Severe Outcomes Among Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) — United States, February 12–March 16, 2020
  • March 20: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Surveillance and Containment Measures for the First 100 Patients with COVID-19 in Singapore — January 2–February 29, 2020

• MMWR Recommendations and Reports - The MMWR Recommendations and Reports contain in-depth articles that relay policy statements for prevention and treatment on all areas in CDC’s scope of responsibility (e.g., recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices).

• Keeping Workplaces, Homes, Schools, or Commercial Establishments Safe sign/poster
• Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission booklet, 10 pages
• Guidelines as to whether or not to stay open during the pandemic

Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) - OSHA provides guidelines for the prevention and control of the virus in a variety of workplace situations. This is especially useful regarding workplace cleaning measures.

*New Resource 3/30/20* Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center Interactive Heat Map

*New Resource 3/31/20* Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) COVID-19 U.S. State-by-State Projections - includes interactive graphs of projected use and capacity of hospital beds, ICU rooms, and invasive ventilators

*Added 3/29/20* ​Illinois Executive Orders & Information on Compliance

Staying in compliance with Illinois' stay-at-home executive order and the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act — ​(3/27/20) IHLS COVID-19 Update

• Response from Attorney Phil Lenzini Regarding Libraries' Questions about Illinois' Stay-at-Home Order

All Illinois Executive and Administrative Orders

Illinois Executive Order No. 18 / COVID-19 Executive Order No. 16 — (4/1/2020, announced 3/31/2020) "An extension of the state’s disaster proclamation, requiring individuals to stay at home or their place of residence for an additional 30 days. Individuals may leave their homes only for essential activities or for essential operations. Extends the suspension of on-site learning in K-12 schools, with schools transitioning from Act of God Days to Remote Learning Days."

Illinois Executive Order No. 10 / COVID-19 Executive Order No. 8 — (3/20/2020) "STAY AT HOME — All individuals must stay at home, with exceptions for essential activities, essential government functions, and essential businesses and operations. All non-essential business and operations must cease, aside from Minimum Basic Operations. Business can continue with employees working from home. Local government units across the state must halt all evictions, and gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited."

Illinois Executive Order #7 / COVID-19 Executive Order No. 5 — ​​(3/16/2020) "RESTAURANTS & BARS — Beginning March 16 at 9 p.m., bars and restaurants must suspend on-premises consumption, but are permitted to continue delivery service, drive-through and curbside pick-up. Gatherings of 50 or more people are prohibited, including fitness centers, private clubs, and theaters." This order also suspends the provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (OMA) relating to in-person attendance by trustees and members of the public at board meetings and allows remote (audio or video) meetings to be streamed to the public.

Illinois Executive Order No. 5 / COVID-19 Executive Order No. 3 — (3/13/2020) "K-12 SCHOOLS — All public and private K-12 schools must close for educational purposes; however, this will not affect the availability of school buildings to supply food for students in need."

Illinois ​Executive Order No. 4 / COVID-19 Executive Order No. 2 — ​​(3/13/2020) "LARGE GATHERINGS — Gatherings of 1,000 or more people are prohibited, including concerts, conferences and sporting events as well as closes the James R. Thompson Center to the public, except for necessary state business."

Library Organization COVID-19 Update & Resource Pages

American Library Association: Pandemic Preparedness Resources for Libraries webpage and ​ALA 3/13/20 Statement on COVID-19

Illinois Library Association: Corona Virus Resources webpage

Illinois State Library: 3/6/20 Letter to Public Library Directors

Reaching Across Illinois Library System: 2019 Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) webpage

 

*Added 4/7/20* ​Remote Services and Staff Projects

List of Remote Services Libraries Can Provide by Jefferson County R.J. Bailar Public Library.

 

COVID-19 Informational Events

IHLS Directors' Chats

Upcoming Chats: Mondays and Thursdays during the pandemic, 1-2:30 p.m. ​registration in L2 requested

• Thursday, April 9
• Monday, April 13
• Thursday, April 16

Past Chats:

• Thursday, April 2 - TRANSCRIPT
• Monday, April 6 - TRANSCRIPT
• Monday, March 30 - TRANSCRIPT
• Thursday, March 26 - TRANSCRIPT
• Monday, March 23 - TRANSCRIPT
• Wednesday, March 18 - TRANSCRIPT

*Added 4/2/20* AASL Town Halls: The Show Must Go On(line), multiple events hosted by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), school library professionals will discuss the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on schools, educators, and learners. Event recordings and chats are posted online.  SCHOOLS  

*Added 3/31/20* COVID-19 Update for Local Officials [WEBINAR], hosted by University of Illinois Extension and presented by Illinois Association of County Board Members and Heyl Royster​

Library 2.0/PCI Webinars Special Pandemic Mini-Conference: Libraries Stepping Up! Serving the Needs of Communities in Crisis [RECORDING], held Thursday, March 26, 2020

RAILS Online Roundtable: Libraries Respond to COVID-19 [RECORDING], Wednesday, March 26, 2020
 

Example Library COVID-19 Response Webpages

Six Mile Regional Library District

Schaumburg Township Public Library District (RAILS member)

Chicago Public Library

Library of Congress

 

Example COVID-19 Sanitation, Social Distancing, and Closing Policies and Procedures

Vernon Area Public Library District (RAILS member)

additional examples listed on the ILA Coronavirus Resources page

 

*Added 3/29/20* Continuing Education

Library Learning

*Added 3/30/20* [WEBINAR] Customer Service Webinar Series, presented by Wisconsin Valley Library Service - April 1, 8, & 15, 2020

LibraryWorks

Library 2.0

*Added 4/1/20* Library of Congress Educator Office Hours - Join Library of Congress education specialists for free 20-minute topical presentations with plenty of time for questions and answers with Library experts  SCHOOLS  

​My Library Is Training

*Added 4/1/20* RAILS Continuing Education Archives

WebJunction

 

*Added 4/1/20* Virtual Maker Space Day Video Archive - from AISLE via the ISLMA Advocacy YouTube Channel  SCHOOLS  

 

General Learning

GCFLearnFree.org - Learn and develop the skills needed to advance in work and life for free with the GoodWill Community Foundation

LinkedIn Learning (previously Lynda.com)

 

*Added 3/26/20* Customizable Social Media Posts

*Added 3/30/20* Canva Coronavirus Awareness Collection

 

IHLS Resources for Illinois (and All) Libraries

TO DOWNLOAD AN IMAGE

• FROM AN IPHONE/IPAD: Tap-hold image >> tap Save Image 
• FROM AN ANDROID DEVICE: Tap-hold image >> tap Download Image
• MAC PC: Control-click image >> tap Save Image As
• WINDOWS PC: Right-click image >> tap Save Image As...

TO COPY TEXT:

• FROM AN IPHONE/IPAD: Tap-hold to highlight part of the text, then drag selection markers to highlight text >> click Copy icon   OR   Tap-hold to highlight part of the text, then drag selection markers to highlight text >> click Copy from menu
• FROM AN ANDROID DEVICE: Tap-hold to highlight part of the text, then drag selection markers to highlight text >> tap Copy
• MAC PC: Click-drag cursor to highlight desired text >> Right-click highlighted text >> COMMAND+C
• WINDOWS PC: Click-drag cursor to highlight desired text >> Right-click highlighted text >> Copy   OR   Click-drag cursor to highlight desired text >> Right-click highlighted text >> CTRL+C

...then paste the text into your social media post.

 

• IMAGE ALT TEXT:
  Woman with forlorn expression covered in books. Can't place interlibrary loan holds or pick up library materials? Don't despair. Check out your library's digital branch! Logo 1: SHARE: Sharing Heartland's Available Resources Equally. Logo 2: IHLS: Illinois Heartland Library System. Together providing resource sharing, interlibrary delivery, and other services for the libraries of central and southern Illinois.
   
• POST TEXT 1:
  Looking for e-books or e-audiobooks? If you have a [library name] library card, you can instantly access hundreds of titles through [Hoopla, cloudLibrary, Libby, rbDigital, Kanopy, TumbleBooks, etc.]. Learn more by visiting the [library] virtual branch at [link]
   
• POST TEXT 2:
  You may not be able to place holds on items from other libraries - nope, they don't save - but you CAN place holds on items at your library, which will be processed whenever libraries reopen and @Illinois Heartland Library System delivery services resume. Meanwhile, check your library's website to see all of the e-books, e-audios, and movies that may be available at your library!

 

more to come

 

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*Added 3/30/20* Patron Services and Resources

Economic

Illinois Department of Employment Security, 1-800-244-5631

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

 

Mental Health

Domestic Violence Helpline, 1-877-863-6338

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255

Illinois Suicide Prevention Hotlines by county

 

At-Home Learning

Resource Lists

Mahomet Public Library Resources to Help You Through COVID-19 - Patron-based resources include information about the virus, living with social distance and shelter-at-home, economic resources, and remote learning for kids and families

U.S. Dept. of Education COVID-19 Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel - Featuring educator-centric administrative resources plus learning resources that can be used by educators including parents/guardians

 

Activities and Videos

*Added 4/2/20* 100 Free Video Readalouds

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Games, Quizzes, and Videos about the Environment

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Virtual Scouts / Virtual Badges

*Added 4/1/20* Girls Who Code at Home

Kennedy Center Classroom Resources and Resources for Remote Learning (also: Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems and Tour the Kennedy Center with The Pigeon)

KinderCare All Ages At-Home Learning Hub

Library of Congress History Presentations and Activities

NASA Science Space Place / NASA Sciencia Space Place 

NASA STEM Engagement

Scholastic Learn At Home

Smithsonian STEM Games and Simulations, 3D Exhibits and Virtual Tours, and Distance Learning Resources

 

Temporary Discounted or Free E-Resources

Bibliotheca cloudLibrary - Temporarily available to all SHARE members!

TumbleBooks - Direct, open access to these databases through August 31, 2020, with no login required:

• E-audiobooks (all ages)
• Romance novels
• K-6 math e-books
• Gr. 7-12 e-book database

 

more to come

 

Temporary Discounted or Free Internet Access

Comcast and Xfinity Internet - 60 days free "Internet Essentials" service for new customers

Xfinity Wi-Fi Hotspot Access - Free Wi-Fi hotspot access for all at all existing business hotspot locations; find one using their interactive map

Charter Spectrum Internet - 60 days free Internet access for new K-12 and college student households

ARTICLE: American Library Association recommends libraries leave WiFi open during closures

 

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Know of a great resource that may fit this list? Email us a link to the resource and a little information about it.

 

DISCLAIMER: Illinois Heartland Library System does not offer medical or legal advice. Please check with your medical or legal professional before making any health or law-related decisions.