Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy

Approved by the Board of Trustees on June 11, 2020.

Purpose

The Locust Valley Library Board of Trustees is empowered to take the steps necessary to serve the community under its mission with the health and safety of the library staff and patrons as the top priority. Therefore, the Board of Trustees has adopted this Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy.

The primary goals of the Personal Protective Equipment Policy are to:

• Introduce requirements for PPE use for patrons wishing to use the library’s services
• Provide reasonable access to library services to all community members while still protecting the library’s staff and other patrons
• Reduce the risk of infection in, around, and on library facilities, materials, and equipment for library staff and patrons
• Outline requirements for staff to wear PPE

The Library’s staff have the authority to enforce the measures set forth in this policy. Upon reopening the Library building, the following rules will be implemented.

Acceptable Behavior for Patrons

• All patrons are required to wear a mask or face covering on library property, inside the library’s facilities, and when interacting with library staff and other patrons.
• Individuals who cannot medically tolerate the wearing of a mask or face covering are asked to contact the library before visiting so reasonable accommodation(s) for services can be made.
• Masks or face coverings may be cloth or homemade so long as they comply with the guidance outlined in New York State Executive Order 202.17 or future executive guidance or laws.
• Masks or face coverings should completely cover the mouth and nose in accordance with guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
• Patrons are not permitted to approach other patrons to comment on or question their PPE practices. Concerns regarding the practices of other patrons should be directed to the library staff only.
• Along with wearing PPE, the library will enforce strict social distancing guidelines of at least six (6) feet between all individuals on library property.
• Patrons refusing to abide by this policy will be subject to corrective action, including possible banning, as outlined in the library’s Maintenance of Public Order Policy.

Acceptable Behavior for Staff

• All library staff members are required to wear a mask or face covering when interacting with library patrons and other staff.
• Staff are required to wear a mask or face covering and gloves when cleaning facilities.
• To facilitate this, the Library will provide disposable masks and gloves to staff upon their return to the library building.
• Masks or face coverings should completely cover the mouth and nose in accordance with guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
• Any staff member who is found to be in violation of this policy will receive a verbal warning the first time, and subsequent disciplinary steps, including termination, will be taken if the staff member continues to violate this policy.

Authority and Evaluation

This policy and related procedures will be enforced under all current and future New York State Executive Orders or laws, including those pertaining to PPE, workforce and occupancy reductions, and social distancing guidelines. The practices in this policy may be modified as needed to conform with such Executive Orders, as well as mandates from all federal, state, and local government agencies.