The new normal at Missouri River Regional Library is in a constant state of change.
This week, the library reopened and allowed people back inside, in a limited fashion.
To encourage social distancing, seating is limited, MRRL Director Claudia Cook said.
"We don't have a lot of seating. It's minimal," Cook said. "We have one table and three chairs."
The Cole County Health Department has asked that the library encourage people to maintain physical distance from each other, she continued.
Staff hope that in about a month, they may be able to set out more chairs in the library.
A schedule for returning the Bookmobile to a normal route has not been decided. The challenge with the Bookmobile is that it is a small space and doesn't allow for social distancing. On the other hand, Cook said, Bookmobile drivers continue to deliver books to residents at retirement homes. The drivers don't go inside the homes, but leave books with staff at those sites.
Some good has come from MRRL's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cook said.
The pandemic forced MRRL staff to develop a curbside pickup service, which was something Cook had considered anyway because of the Jefferson City library's parking limitations.
The service is helpful for high-risk clients who don't feel comfortable going inside the structure or being near a number of people.
And it's a convenience people have become accustomed to with big chain stores, she said.
"People are being cautious, and you can't blame them," Cook said. "We've had lots of positive comments (about curbside service). It is something we want to keep."
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a surge in use of MRRL's online services, she said.
During a recent board meeting, the library shared data concerning electronic materials - e-books, e-audio, e-magazines and streamed films, television shows and music.
The library circulated 6,290 items in February, 6,881 in March and 8,889 in April - a 41 percent jump in two months.
Soon the library will shorten the length of time it quarantines returned books. MRRL currently quarantines returned books for 72 hours (and has since it began receiving returned books May 5).
"Right now, they are taking up our gallery meeting room," Cook said. "We don't have in-person programs, so they're not infringing upon that."
However, library staff have discussed stepping back the quarantines to 48 hours. That will begin Sunday.
Today is expected to be a huge day for returned items. Early during the pandemic, MRRL set today as the date for returns of all items checked out before March 18 to avoid fines.
"We didn't want anyone worrying about fines. We see June 1 as a big date," Cook said.
About two months ago, the Institute of Museum and Library Services shared the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance on how libraries, archives and museums can mitigate COVID-19. CDC epidemiologist David Berendes said the agency is not concerned about paper-based materials like books transmitting the coronavirus.
At the time, the institute recommended a 24-hour period of quarantine for books.
MRRL will decide, possibly in early July, to decrease the quarantine on books to 24 hours.
"As we continue to stay informed about what's going on around us, we'll make further decisions about dropping down to 24 (hours)," Cook said. "I've talked to the health department. I've read numerous articles on how (the virus) is transmitted. The possibility of picking up the virus from a book is slim."
But the library remains cautious, she continued.
As quarantines shrink, so will the stockpile of books in the library's gallery, where the books are stored.
When space opens, the library will use its ability to conduct programs using reservations for limited groups.
"We hope to begin programs again and use that space again," she said. "Perhaps use half of that room by August - that's the hope - to be able to conduct some reservation-type programs."
Current library hours are:
Jefferson City branch - 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Linn branch, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
Bookmobile stops are canceled at this time.
Home-bound delivery will continue and now includes high-risk patrons. To sign up for home-bound delivery, call 573-634-2464.