The Haines Borough Assembly will consider a resolution to cease no-contact library lending in the borough until the assembly decides the COVID-19 emergency is over.

The draft resolution states that circulating library materials is a public health risk, since COVID-19 spreads through contact, including contact with objects that have been handled by an infected person.

It cites state Health Mandate 2.1 which indefinitely closes all Alaska state libraries, archives and museums. Patience Frederickson is the Director of the Alaska Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums. She wrote Health Mandate 2.1 and said she included a line that allows for pickup of library materials, but that it is up to communities to decide.

“I think the corollary to this service is to think about restaurants that are allowing people to come in and pick up food,” Frederickson said.

“And since I knew that libraries were already doing curbside delivery, that last phrase of the mandate was to allow them to come up with that type of a service as long as it maintains social distancing to the greatest extent possible.”

According to a memo from library director Carolyn Goolsby to the borough, the library has a system in place to reduce risk of spreading the coronavirus. Staff members wear gloves while handling materials, sanitize materials before placing them in new paper bags, and leave them for patron retrieval in the front lobby. Patrons do not return books to the library; instead, they wait to be contacted by staff.

Borough manager Debra Schnabel informed the assembly by memo that she found these precautions to be adequate.

Assembly member Stephanie Scott said she initially supported the resolution.

“I appreciate the resolution because the borough has a responsibility to keep the community as safe as possible,” she said.

But she said if the library agreed to have patrons collect books outside, rather than in the library foyer, she could support no-contact lending.

“I think it’s risky because what borough is doing is authorizing an activity where people will come together in some way. And I hope that  people will maintain their six foot separation and regardless, you know, but they have to do that outside. So that might be okay, acceptable,” said Scott.

Assembly member Paul Rogers sponsored the resolution. He said he thinks the circulation of materials is too much risk, but if individuals keep library materials until the emergency declaration is lifted, he would be open to no contact lending.

The Haines Library has been closed to the public since late March. The Haines Borough Assembly will meet virtually on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.