State Library Awards IHLS $125K for E-Resource Purchases for Members (11/23/20, IHLS) - The Illinois Secretary of State (IL SOS)/Illinois State Library (ISL) awarded IHLS $125,000 for the purchase of e-resources for members. The grant funds will allow IHLS to purchase ebooks and e-audiobooks for users of the SHARE cloudLibrary, one of the largest and most heavily utilized digital collections in the state. Users of Axis 360, another large, system-managed digital library, will also see more resources.

New ISL Grants Announced--Apply Now! - A series of grants available to Illinois system-member libraries for books, PPE, and digital network access--two of which are available due to CARES Act Funding

IHLS Grants page - A collection of time-limited and ongoing grand opportunities by the Illinois State Library, American Library Association, and more

Network of the National Library of Medicine Funding Opportunities - A collection of funding opportunities by the NNLM and other organizations

$15 Million in IMLS CARES Act Grants Now Available for Museum and Library Services (5/8/20, IMLS) - Applications for Pandemic Response Funding Due June 12, 2020

IMLS Announces New Stimulus Funding for Communities Across America (4/13/20, IMLS) - $30 Million Infusion to Provide Emergency Relief Through State Libraries

Federal Government Invests $50M in Museums, Libraries to Address Digital Divide During COVID-19 (3/27/20) - CARES Act Designates Funds to Expand Local Internet and Technology Access

FEMA Public Assistance: Local, State, Tribal and Private Non-Profit - "The purpose of the Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program is to support communities’ recovery from major disasters by providing them with grant assistance for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure. Local governments, states, tribes, territories and certain private nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply."

Information from IEMA regarding Public Assistance (PA) opportunities relating to COVID-19 - (3/31/20) Received by the Illinois Library Association via the Illinois State Library on 3/31/2020

ILA Legal, Financial, and Library Board Governance Resources - "President Trump declared the FEMA-4489-DR-IL major disaster declaration for Illinois on March 26, 2020, as a result of COVID-19 pandemic response that started January 20, 2020 and is continuing. FEMA has designated all counties in Illinois as eligible for funding under Public Assistance (PA) Program, Category B – Emergency Protective Measures. If an eligible organization has or may have at least $3,300 in eligible extraordinary uninsured Category B – Emergency Protective Measure costs, the organization should submit a FEMA Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form to IEMA."

REALM Project: REopening Archives, Libraries & Museums: A COVID-19 Research Project - "OCLC, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Battelle are working to create and distribute science-based information and best-recommended practices designed to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to staff and visitors who are engaging in the delivery or use of museum, library, and archival services. This research collaboration will provide information on how long the virus survives on surfaces and how—or if—materials can be handled to mitigate exposure."

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Official, evolving guidance by the CDC, including preparing workplaces for an outbreak, reducing transmission among employees, maintaining healthy business operations, maintaining a healthy work environment, and a summary of recent changes to the CDC's guidelines

Curbside Delivery and Reopening Considerations (RAILS) - A guide that includes questions that need to be considered and answered by libraries considering and planning curbside services during the pandemic

IDEA FILE: Phased Reopenings and Virtual Services (IHLS) - An open idea file by IHLS and contributors. See what others are thinking about doing and add your own ideas to the list.

Colorado Library Consortium: Returning to Service – Libraries and COVID-19

MOBIUS's COVID-19 Library Reopening & Resource Sharing/Courier Safety Concerns - A summary of best practices conversations by MOBIUS and other consortia.

CDC's Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes - "This guidance is intended for all Americans, whether you own a business, run a school, or want to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your home.IMLS, CDC Offer Guidance for Disinfecting Returned Library Books - (4/9/2020) article by School Library Journal

How to Sanitize Collections in a Pandemic - (3/27/2020) "Conservators weigh in on the mysteries of materials handling during COVID-19" in this article by American Libraries Magazine

COVID-19 Basics: Disinfecting Cultural Resources - A video by the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) sharing the basics of cleaning and handling cultural resource materials

Disinfecting Books and Other Collections - Evolving guidance from the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NDCC) as to disinfecting books, "based on the current research available from the medical and scientific communities regarding COVID-19"

Recommendations for Library Services During The Covid-19 Pandemic (April 2020, Regents Public Library Advisory Council) - Guidance about reopening that includes a template Pandemic Service and Staffing Plan

Missouri Libraries Reopening Guidelines (April 2020, Missouri State Library)

Getting ahead of the next stage of the coronavirus crisis (April 2020, McKinsey & Company)

What Are IHLS Libraries Doing Now?

Most recent timeframe surveyed: Dec. 3-10, 2020. Historical data included on subsequent tabs within the document.

Sourcing PPE

Team One PPE Order Page for IHLS, RAILS, and ILA Members - As a federal government contractor, Team One can provide Personal Protection Equipment such as masks, gloves, and clear acrylic shields. They have created a dedicated webpage for IHLS, RAILS, and ILA members ordering PPE products. Stock levels are impacted by demand, and out-of-stocks are indicated on the Team One webpage. Team One will fulfill orders on a FIFO basis. For further info and questions contact the sales and customer service team at library@teamonerepair.com.

PPE Use for Library Staff Webinar

Public Library Reopening/Operation Plans

IDEA FILE: Idease for Phased Reopenings and Virtual Services

Illinois Library Reopening/Pandemic Plans

The following reopening/pandemic operation plans were provided by libraries to be shared with other libraries:

• Bethalto Public Library District Reopening Plans, Bethalto, Ill. (submitted 5/18/20)
• Caseyville Public Library District Graduated Service Levels, Caseyville, Ill. (submitted 5/20/20)
• Catlin Public Library District Return to Services, Catlin, Ill. (submitted 5-21-20)
• Charleston Carnegie Public Library Reopen Plan - DRAFT, Charleston, Ill. (submitted 5/20/20)
• Chatham Area Public Library District Reopening Plan - DRAFT, Chatham, Ill. (submitted 5/14/20)
• Flora Public Library, Library Services Reopening Matrix - DRAFT, Flora, Ill. (submitted 5/14/20)
• Glen Carbon Centennial Library Public Health Policy and Plan - DRAFT, Glen Carbon, Ill. (submitted 5/14/20)
• Hillsboro Area Public Library District Reopening Phased Plans, Hillsboro, Ill. (submitted 5/21/20)
• Marrowbone Public Library District - DRAFT, Bethany, Ill. (submitted 5/15/20)
• Sallie Logan Public Library Reopening Plan - DRAFT, Murphysboro, Ill. (submitted 5/14/20)
• Stinson Memorial Public Library District Phased Reopening on Main Building - DRAFT, Anna, Ill. (submitted 5-21-20)
• Vespasian Warner Public Library Reopening Matrix, Clinton, Ill. (submitted 5/14/20)
• Vernon Area Public Library District Closing Plan, Lincolnshire, Ill.(submitted 03/20)

• IHLS COVID Workplace Procedures FAQs (July 2020)
• IHLS Staff COVID Travel Policy Memo (July 31, 2020)