A Letter from Our Director

March 13, 2020

UPDATE: The library has cancelled all library programs and meeting room bookings until further notice.

As news of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to evolve, we want to share with you the steps that the Portsmouth Public Library (PPL) is taking to help ensure the health and safety of its staff, visitors, and community.

We are closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and are taking action based on guidance from local, state and national public health experts and the national library organizations of which we are members. In fact, I communicate daily with the City’s Health Officer and City Manager to remain up to date on any changing conditions or City policies.

As we all know, this is an evolving and unprecedented situation. On Friday, March 13, the City of Portsmouth implemented a new set of steps to reduce the possible spread of the virus. As part of those steps, all library programs and meeting room bookings will be cancelled until further notice.

The library will remain open, for regular hours. PPL has increased its safety protocols, including the frequency and intensity of its sanitation and disinfection efforts across the library. High-contact surfaces such as door handles, elevator buttons, railings, and restrooms are being cleaned thoroughly throughout the day, and hand sanitizer and sanitized wipe dispensers have been placed throughout the library and library offices. In addition, around the library, you’ll find signage encouraging enhanced personal hygiene and sanitary precautions.

Staff have been advised not to come to work if they are feeling unwell or have come into possible contact with a COVID-19 carrier. With that in mind, we ask that you too use your best judgment when planning a visit to the library. If you are not feeling well, please stay home to protect the health of others. 

Keep in mind, there are numerous online library services that you can avail yourself of from home including downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music, TV shows, computer classes and more. Plus, we’re only a phone call away if you have questions, whether they be about your account, how to use one of our online services, or a general information request.

We will keep communicating regularly with updates, so please do check on our website, cityofportsmouth.com/library. It is our hope that these steps will help contribute to the sustained good health of our community and will offer some assurance during this distressing time.

Respectfully,


Steven K. Butzel, Library Director
Portsmouth Public Library



P.S. As for online resources about the Coronavirus (COVID-19),
we recommend…

Coronavirus Preparedness (Portsmouth Health Department)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: How COVID-19 Spreads
Johns Hopkins Medicine, Coronavirus at a Glance: Infographic