HORTON PUBLIC LIBRARY-Partial Service

UPDATED 08/05/2020

Dear Horton Public Library Patrons,

This notice is to advise you on our current updated situation.

The Library is currently in Curbside Service Mode. The current service days & times will be Mon-Fri from 2pm-6pm until otherwise posted. Patrons can use the OPAC – NextKansas.org to place their own holds or call the Library during operational times for staff assistance. You may continue returning materials to the exterior drop box or waiting return box as all materials must be cleaned & quarantined for 96hrs (4 Days) as current testing has shown the virus is still alive on materials up to that time. There is ongoing testing being done & we will post those update from REALM on our Facebook page. If you have returned an item & still see it as checked out on your account page on OPAC, please be patient to allow for quarantine time before we are able to check in your material. No returns will be accepted by staff in person during curbside service. No material donations are being accepted at this time. Copies & Faxes may be done by staff through safety procedures, no patron will enter the facility. There is no patron computer access.

The Library Facility remains closed to the public until otherwise posted. All meetings (other than board meetings), programs, and activities at the Library facility are cancelled/postponed until further notice. The Horton Public Library will update when our additional normal service abilities & operational hours go into effect.

The health and safety of our staff and patrons is our highest priority. The Library considers all aspects of our staff, patrons, building, our capabilities & supplies to perform safe operations. We continue to follow the recommendations, standards & mandates of our contractual partners, government & local health agencies, government mandates, statutes & guidelines for opening of educational facilities & community centers. We are working to meet all our facility needs to safely open & are eager to serve our community again at our earliest possibility.

During this juncture the Library will forgive all previous late return fees, “clean slate” for all our patrons. Bywater solutions is working on updating all account records. We are also going to go “fine-free” (late fines for materials) for a period of time, the end date of which will be updated to our facebook page when it has been decided. If you already have materials overdue please call, email or return them as you are able.

We still encourage everyone to continue use of our online services like HOOPLA & Flipster. There are also a lot of resources out there still offering free digital content. We are providing online programming links via Facebook, FB Events & more.

ReaderZone – Our NEW summer reading program that is now live! Please follow us for updates on services & programs.                                                                                                                    We offer NO HUNGER SUMMER sponsored by 2nd Harvest as a Summer Meals program. This is Mon-Fri 11:30-12:30. Free to all children under 18, and all adults are now free as well. Location: Horton Blue Building @ 716 1st Ave West. On the dates of Aug 3rd-6th we will be serving at a different location: the Lentz Community Facility /Catering @ 116 A West 8th St. We also have a Community Food Share Distribution program on Thursdays beginning at 11am, please follow the Facebook event for details.

Please remember the Little Libraries around your communities. Hickory Point, Muscotah, Whiting, Robinson, Tradin’ Post next to Golden Eagle Casino these are hosted by Horton Public Library. There are also Little Libraries in Everest, hosted by Barnes Reading Room & Powhattan hosted by I believe the local churches. We hope to keep ours filled as able, please email us or call if materials are needed or if you would like a change of material types that are provided. If you do retrieve books, please remember healthy habits. We have a suggestion to “hold on” to the books you pick up for the time being & sanitize before returning them to the Little Library.

We will update here or on our Facebook page any further changes or notifications. We encourage our patrons to be patient with us as we all strive to keep our community healthy. Stay calm & safe.

With our deepest regards,
Jessica Ray Buhrman
HPL Director