On February 16, 2022, the Southern Tier Library System issued revised recommendations to its member libraries on mask requirements. Effective February 16, STLS recommended that libraries follow the path of New York state’s determination on mask wearing for public schools or CDC guidance on wearing masks within indoor spaces, which ever decision comes first.
On Sunday, February 27, Governor Hochul announced that based on decreasing cases of COVID-19 and guidance from the CDC, she was lifting the mask requirements for public schools beginning Wednesday March 2.
In following with STLS’s recommendations, mask wearing in the library is voluntary beginning Wednesday March 2. We still have masks available for those who wish to wear them inside the library. We also have curbside services available, if you wish to have us bring materials out to you. Please Note: Masks may be required at some library programs depending on registrations and due to the size of our building.
We thank you for your support and understanding over the last two years as we’ve navigated the pandemic, and tried to provide the best and safest possible service for all members of the community.
Free At-Home Test Kits
Every home in the US is eligible to receive 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Visit www.covidtests.gov to place your order. Limit of 1 order per residential address.
If you need immediate testing, please visit https://www.alleganyco.com/coronavirus/covid-19-rapid-testing-dates-and-information/
Update December 13, 2021
We have masks available if you forget or need one! Occupancy is limited to 30 minutes for browsing and computer use. Occupancy may be limited based on the small size of the building.
If you’d like us to bring your items out to you, please ring the green door bell OR call us 607-587-9290.
Hand sanitizer is available for use. Masks are available if you forget one.
Daily disinfection of high-touch surfaces to keep all visitors and staff safe.
Update August 30, 2021
All visitors to the library must wear a face mask.
We are limiting the number of patrons in the building. 4 patrons in the building at a time, for 15 minutes at a time. Patrons using the computer are limited to 30 minutes.
Update May 14, 2021
Face masks are required of all visitors (age 2+) the library per New York State Executive Order 202. 17. Face masks must cover nose and mouth.
If you forget your mask, we have masks available and will ask that you wear one while in the library. If you choose not to wear a mask, we still have “curbside” or window service available in which we can bring materials outside to you.
Our building is too small to safely social distance at all times, and we have a lot of traffic in and out. Please be kind to staff.
Update March 29, 2021
Starting today we are reopening! No appointments are necessary, but we are limiting occupancy to two patrons at a time for 15 minutes. If you arrive and there are already two patrons inside, you may be asked to wait. Public computer use is limited to 30 minutes at a time.
Current hours are: Monday/ Wednesday 10:00am-5:30pm; Tuesday/ Thursday 12:00pm-5:30pm; Friday 10:00am-4:30pm; Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm.
Update December 7, 2020
Below is the Governor’s Cluster Action Initiative and a table of how our services would change in the event Allegany County is designated Yellow, Orange, or Red. As of today, the county has not been designated any part of the Cluster Action Initiative. This is simply information to help you be informed and prepared should the county be designated in the future.
https://forward.ny.gov/cluster-action-initiative
| Type of Activity | Red | Orange | Yellow |
| Non-Residential Gatherings | Prohibited | 10 people maximum, indoors and outdoors | 25 people maximum, indoors and outdoors |
| Residential Gatherings | Prohibited | 10 people maximum, indoors and outdoors | 10 people maximum, indoors and outdoors |
| House of Worship | Lesser of: 25% of maximum capacity 10 people | Lesser of: 33% of maximum capacity 25 people | 50% of maximum capacity |
| Businesses | Non-essential businesses are closed | Certain high-risk non-essential businesses (eg., gyms, fitness centers and classes, barber shops, hair salons, personal care services) are closed. | Open |
| Dining | Takeout or delivery only | Outdoor dining, takeout or delivery only, 4 person maximum per table, and bars and restaurants close at 10:00pm for on-premises consumption | Indoor and outdoor dining permitted, 4 person maximum per table; bars and restaurants close at 10:00pm for on-premises consumption |
| Schools | Closed* Remote-only | Closed* Remote-only | Open 20% weekly testing of in-person students and faculty |
| Current Library Services | Red | Orange | Yellow |
| Curbside Pick Up | Available; may be delays due to limited staff 1 Staff member only in library at a time | Available | Available |
| Computer Use by Appointment (1 hour appointment) | Not Available | Not Available | ½ hour appointments only; please limit to essential business only |
| Browsing ( ½ hour appointment) | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| One on One computer assistance by appointment (1 Hour only) | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| Programming- virtual only | Virtual only | Virtual only | Virtual only |
| Faxing | Not available | Through window | Through window |
| Photocopying | Not available | Through window | Through window |
Update Tuesday September 15, 2020
The library will open beginning Monday September 21 by appointment during the following times:
Mondays 12:00pm-5:00pm
Tuesdays 12:00pm-3:00pm
Thursdays 12:00pm-3:00pm
Fridays 10:00am-3:00pm
Please call ahead 607-587-9290 to make an appointment.
Appointments are limited to 30 minutes and 1 person at a time.
Please allow time between appointments for sanitation of high-touch surfaces.
Face coverings are required.
Appointments for one-one-one technology help are also resuming and appointments for computer use continue with 1 hour time slots during the above times only.
Update August 3, 2020
After considering the return of students to the SUNY Alfred State and Alfred University campuses, the Board of Trustees and library director have decided that we will be postponing re-opening the library for in-house services until after Labor Day. As part of a larger library system, we feel that this is in the best interest of library service as a whole, as well as library service for our community.
Update July 28, 2020
Due to recent fidings of the REALM Project (REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums), the Alfred Box of Books Library is increasing its 72 hour quarantine period for returned materials to 96 hours. This means that items returns to the library will remain on patrons accounts for 4 days after being returned in the book drop. Items coming to the library via STLS delivery between libraries will also be quarantined for 96 hours.
Update July 13, 2020
Beginning July 13, the library will be open for computer use only. Please call the library at 607-587-9290 to make an appointment. Appointments are limited to 1 person for 1 hour a day. When weather and staffing permits, we have a laptop available for outdoor use. Full printing and copying services are available.
Update July 20, 2020
Holds are available throughout the library system. You can now place holds via STARCat for items owned by other libraries.
Update June 29, 2020
We’re open for curbside pick up!! Currently, holds are limited to items limited to what we own. Simply call ahead and request items or place them on hold via STARCat. You can also request picture book bundles! You can call 607-587-9290 or email alfred@stls.org.
What We’re Doing At the Library
-Staff members wear masks when interacting with patrons and when 6′ of social distancing cannot be maintained.
-Twice daily cleaning and disinfecting of high touch hard surfaces.
-Wearing masks and gloves when pulling library materials to fill holds and requests and when handling any library material.
-Quarantining library materials for 96 hours before being placed back into circulation.
-Conducting virtual programming.
What Patrons Can Do
-Return all library materials to the book drop.
-Ask us if you have any questions about library service.
Centers for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
New York State Department of Health
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
Allegany County Department of Health
585-268-9250
https://www.alleganyco.com/coronavirus/
Mental Health Resources
New York State Office of Mental Health Emotional Support Helpline
1-844-863-9314
https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/covid-19-resources.html
Disaster Distress Hotline
1-800-985-5990
https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/201809100400
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-8255
Misinformation: Get the Facts
FactCheck.Org
https://www.factcheck.org/issue/coronavirus/