last updated: 3/30/2020 10:30 PM 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.
Delivery Suspended through April 7*
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
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 7*
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 APRIL 8*
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.
Events
DIRECTORS' CHATS
Upcoming Chats:
Mondays and Thursdays during the pandemic, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Monday, March 30
- Thursday, April 2
- Monday, April 6
- Thursday, April 9.
- Monday, April 13
- Thursday, April 16
Past Chats:
- Thursday, March 26 - TRANSCRIPT
- Monday, March 23 - TRANSCRIPT
- Wednesday, March 18 - TRANSCRIPT
OTHER EVENTS
All three IHLS locations are currently closed. IHLS and SHARE events will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for opportunities for virtual attendance and will notify registered participants of changes.
*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:
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SHARE Executive Council recommends all SHARE libraries suspend fines until normal operations resume
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Local holds only when libraries are open and IHLS Delivery is suspended
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Patron notices have been disabled
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Requests for library-specific, temporary changes to item due dates, number of renewals, or fines cannot be accommodated at this time
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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.
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.
Resources for Librarians
- About COVID-19: virus, symptoms, transmission prevention, mitigation
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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
- 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.
Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center Heat Map
- Library Organization COVID-19 Updates
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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
- COVID-19 Events for Libraries
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IHLS Directors' Chats - see "Events" information above for upcoming chats and transcripts of past chats
RECORDING: Library 2.0/PCI Webinars Special Pandemic Mini-Conference: Libraries Stepping Up! Serving the Needs of Communities in Crisis, held Thursday, March 26, 2020
RECORDING: RAILS Online Roundtable: Libraries Respond to COVID-19, held Wednesday, March 26, 2020
- Example Library COVID-19 Response Webpages
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Six Mile Regional Library District
Schaumburg Township Public Library District (RAILS member)
- Example COVID-19 Social Distancing and Closing Policies and Procedures
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Vernon Area Public Library District (RAILS member)
additional examples listed on the ILA Coronavirus Resources page
- *Added 3/29/20* Continuing Education
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Library Learning
*Added 3/30/20* Customer Service Webinar Series by Wisconsin Valley Library Service - April 1, 8, & 15, 2020
Other
LinkedIn Learning (previously Lynda.com)
- *Added 3/26/20* Customizable Social Media Posts
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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
*Added 3/30/20* Patron Services and Resources
- Economic
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Illinois Department of Employment Security, 1-800-244-5631
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Mental Health
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Domestic Violence Helpline, 1-877-863-6338
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255
Illinois Suicide Prevention Hotlines
- At-Home Learning
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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
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Games, Quizzes, and Videos about the Environment
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Virtual Scouts / Virtual Badges
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
Smithsonian STEM Games and Simulations, 3D Exhibits and Virtual Tours, and Distance Learning Resources
- Pandemic E-Resource Discounts
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TumbleBooks - direct, open access to these databases through August 31, 2020, with no login required:
more to come
Know of a great resource that may fit this list? Email us a link to the resource and a little information about it.