Library Services Updates and FAQs

August 17. 2021

Because Pierce County is experiencing substantial/high transmission of COVID-19, the library is reinstating mask wearing for the health and safety of everyone as of August 17th, 2021. Thank you for helping to protect our community.

Doorside services are available. Please call 715-273-3209 for assistance.

June 4, 2021

Beginning June 7, 2021 the library will be open for in library services without appointments during our regular open hours of Monday and Friday (10-6), Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (10-8) and Saturday (9-1). The following guidelines will be in place:

• Face coverings are strongly encouraged, especially if you are unvaccinated. (Masks are available near the entrance.)
• Customers are asked to maintain six feet of social distancing.
• Computer availability is limited to two stations for 30-minute sessions in order to accommodate social distancing. (Wi-Fi is available inside and outside the building and Wi-Fi hotspots are available for checkout.)
• Doorside service will continue for pick-up of library materials and assistance with copies and faxes.
• Toys and Makerspace activities will remain in storage at this time.
• Limited seating will be available, and customers are encouraged to keep their visits as brief as possible.
• Patrons who are exhibiting COVID symptoms should not enter the library building. Please call the library at 715-273-3209 for an alternative way to access library services.

The front book drop will remain open 24 hours a day and the back book drop will be available during regular open hours. Items are no longer being quarantined.

Please remember to bring your library card to check out materials when using in-person services.

April 8, 2021

Returns are now accepted at the front door book drop (days & nights) every day or at the back door book drop during our regular business hours: Mondays and Fridays (10-6), Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (10-8) and Saturdays (9-1).

March 2, 2021

Quarantine time for all library items is now 24 hours.

Beginning March 17th, holds will remain on the holdshelf for 1 week before being returned to the owning library or sent on to the next patron with a hold on that item.

February 14, 2021

Library Use by Appointment

• Ellsworth Public Library is now open for 30-minute (per household) appointments for browsing, computer use, or printing/faxing services. Please call the library at 715-273-3209 to set up an appointment during our regular business hours. Doorside service will continue and is recommended for hold pickups. Please see below for further information:
• Masks are required.
• Staff will open the front door at your scheduled time (please be mindful of others on the stairs). If the stairs are a concern, please let staff know so they can meet you at the back entrance.
• Practice social distancing while in the library.
• Sanitizing stations are located at the front and back of the building (please use these stations upon entering and leaving the building).
• Reading room is closed and most furniture has been removed from common areas.
• All toys and activity bins in the Children’s and Makerspace areas are currently in storage.
• If you or members of your household are not feeling well, please remain home for the safety of everyone.
• If you are unable to keep your appointment for any reason, please call the library to reschedule so someone else can use that time slot.

Appendix A: Patron Behavior Specific to Covid-19
(from Ellsworth Public Library Epidemic & Library Health Emergency Policy) 

Safety of our patrons and staff is our number one priority. The Ellsworth Public Library is taking precautions to help prevent any exposure or infection but cannot guarantee that the library is virus free. Anyone not following established safety policies set forth may be asked to leave the facility. If public health orders made at the state or local level apply to the library setting, non-compliance from patrons will result in being asked to leave. If you or members of your household are not feeling well, please remain home for the safety of everyone.

• A face covering is required for anyone over the age of 2.
• Six feet social distancing must be maintained with anyone who is not a member of your household.
• Patrons should wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer prior to entering the library, before and after using computers, and after contact with high touch areas.
• Prolonged socializing is not permitted at this time.

FAQs

How can I check out items from the library?
Doorside pick up at Ellsworth Public Library is always available. Checking out items inside the building with an appointment is sometimes available when COVID-19 levels are favorable to opening. Please call the library to make an appointment. Using doorside pick up for ordered items is encouraged.

• Place holds on items through the MORE catalog. Items available at Ellsworth will be filled quickly. Items from other libraries will take a bit longer due to quarantine.
• To find items that are currently available for checkout from the Ellsworth Public Library:
  1. Go to the MORE Catalog: more.lib.wi.us and log in
  2. Enter a search term (remember, “movies” and “books” are valid keyword search terms)
  3. Select the “Available Now” filter on the left side to expand it
  4. Select the pickup library as Ellsworth
  5. Search results will be limited to titles available and holdable at Ellsworth
  6. Tip: to exclude ebooks and audiobooks, open the “Titles I can…” filter and select “Borrow and take home”
  7. Tip: Turn on “Active Filters” so subsequent searches retain limits 
• You may also call us at 715-273-3209 to order items. Staff will verify your identity by asking for your library barcode number or name and birthdate OR email us at eplstaff@ellsworthlibrary.org with a list of items wanted. Please include your name and library card barcode number as well as titles and authors of any books or any other necessary information in your email.
• A pickup date and time must be scheduled. Pickups will be in the back hallway of the building.
• If you are unable to pick up items at your arranged time, please call the library.
• Items will be bagged and have an attached note with your first name and date and time of your pickup. Items will be checked out to you.

How can I find out when my items are due, and how do I renew items?
Due dates are found on your checkout slip or can be found by logging into your MORE account. Please log onto your account to renew items or call the library at 715-273-3209.

How can I return items?
Returns are now accepted at the front door book drop (days & nights) every day or at the back door book drop during our regular business hours: Mondays and Fridays (10-6), Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (10-8) and Saturdays (9-1). Items will remain in quarantine for 24 hours before being checked in and removed from patron accounts. Items will be backdated to the day of return.

Will the quarantine time affect fines on items?
Ellsworth Public Library is a fines free library, so if the item was checked out from our library, you never need to worry about fines! Quarantined book drop items will be backdated to the date they were physically returned to the book drop. Items checked out from another library will follow that library’s return/fine policy.

How can I contact the library staff?
Please email us at eplstaff@ellsworthlibrary.org, reach out via Facebook, or call the library at 715-273-3209 during our regular business hours (Monday & Friday 10-6, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 10-8, and Saturday 9-1). Staff will be at the library to take your calls. After hours you may leave a message including your name and phone number and a library staff member will return your call as soon as possible.

How can I print or fax?
We are able to copy and fax both doorside and in the building with an appointment. If you need a copy made or a fax sent, please call the library at 715-273-3209 to arrange a time. Staff will make appropriate arrangements. Copies are $.10 per page for B&W, $.25 per page for color. Faxes are $1.00 for the first page and $.25 for each additional page. Correct change is appreciated.

Print From Anywhere with Princh
Prices are $.10 b&w or $.25 color per side

From a Mobile Device or Tablet:

1. Install the Princh app for IOS or Android
2. Open your document and share it with the Princh app
3. Select the printer by finding on the map, scanning a QR code or by using the printer ID 103279
4. Adjust your print settings, checking the preview
5. Pay using one of the available options: Paypal, credit card, or pay at the library (if paying at the library, prints will be processed upon payment using cash or check).

From a laptop or desktop:

1. Open a bowser and go to print.princh.com
2. Select the printer by finding on the map, scanning a QR code or by using the printer ID 103279
3. Upload your documents
4. Adjust your print settings, checking the preview
5. Pay using one of the available options: Paypal, credit card, or pay at the library (if paying at the library, prints will be processed upon payment using cash or check).

How can I connect to WiFi?
WiFi is accessible in parts of the upper and lower back parking lots. WiFi may also be accessed inside the library building with an appointment.

When will the library open?
Depending on the COVID-19 activity level in Pierce County, we are either open for doorside service AND 30-minute (per household) appointments for browsing, computer use, or printing/faxing services, or only for doorside service. Please call the library at 715-273-3209 to check on our status and to set up an appointment during our regular business hours which are Monday and Friday 10-6, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10-8 and Saturday 9-1. During our regular hours, doorside service is recommended for hold pickups, the book drop is open for returns, and staff will be answering phone calls. If you are calling during these hours we may be on another call so please call back or leave a message and a staff member will return your call as soon as possible.

How can I access the online and digital services if I don’t have a library card?
You may access these services by Clicking here to sign up for an e-Card.

November 10, 2020

All doorside pick ups will now be found on a cart in the back hallway of the library building. Please access through the back door from the upper parking lot. Grab and Go kits will also be available on a cart in the back hallway. If you have a scheduled pick up appointment or if stairs are a concern, you may return materials in a return bin next to the hold pick up cart. Please wear a mask and continue to practice social distancing.

Returns are still being accepted in the front door book drop during our regular business hours of Monday and Friday (10-6), Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (10-8) and Saturday (9-1).

October 23, 2020 – Services Updates

Depending on the COVID-19 activity level in Pierce County, we are either open for doorside service AND 30-minute (per household) appointments for browsing, computer use, or printing/faxing services, or only for doorside service. Please call the library at 715-273-3209 to check on our status and to set up an appointment during our regular business hours which are Monday and Friday 10-6, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10-8 and Saturday 9-1. During our regular hours, doorside service is recommended for hold pickups, the book drop is open for returns, and staff will be answering phone calls. If you are calling during these hours we may be on another call so please call back or leave a message and a staff member will return your call as soon as possible.

You can also find the current activity level at https://covid-piercecounty-wi.hub.arcgis.com/ . If the Current Risk Level is RED and language reads “Tipping Point,” the library will only offer doorside assistance.

October 1, 2020 – Services Updates

Library Use by Appointment

Ellsworth Public Library is now open for 30-minute (per household) appointments for browsing, computer use, or printing/faxing services. Please call the library at 715-273-3209 to set up an appointment during our regular business hours. Doorside service will continue and is recommended for hold pickups. Please see below for further information:

• Masks are required.
• Staff will open the front door at your scheduled time (please be mindful of others on the stairs). If the stairs are a concern, please let staff know so they can meet you at the back entrance.
• Practice social distancing while in the library.
• Sanitizing stations are located at the front and back of the building (please use these stations upon entering and leaving the building).
• Reading room is closed and most furniture has been removed from common areas.
• Patrons browsing the shelves should limit the items they touch, and should place any touched but unwanted items in one of the quarantine bins located throughout the library.
• Small children are not encouraged to visit the library at this time. All toys and activity bins are currently in storage.
• If you or members of your household are not feeling well, please remain home for the safety of everyone.
• If you are unable to keep your appointment for any reason, please call the library to reschedule so someone else can use that timeslot.

Appendix A: Patron Behavior Specific to Covid-19

(from Ellsworth Public Library Epidemic & Library Health Emergency Policy) 

Safety of our patrons and staff is our number one priority. The Ellsworth Public Library is taking precautions to help prevent any exposure or infection but cannot guarantee that the library is virus free. Anyone not following established safety policies set forth may be asked to leave the facility. If public health orders made at the state or local level apply to the library setting, non-compliance from patrons will result in being asked to leave. If you or members of your household are not feeling well, please remain home for the safety of everyone.  

• A face covering is required for anyone over the age of 2. 

• Six feet social distancing must be maintained with anyone who is not a member of your household. 

• Patrons should wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer prior to entering the library, before and after using computers, and after contact with high touch areas. 

• Prolonged socializing is not permitted at this time. 

September 28, 2020 – Notification Updates

Beginning Monday, October 5, 2020 all hold pick up notices will return to automated notifications. Patrons will be notified by email, text message or automated phone notification when holds are available for pick up. Please call the library at 715-273-3209 to schedule a hold pick up appointment. Although the library is open by appointment, using doorside pick up is encouraged to pick up ordered items.

August 19, 2020 – Services Updates

• Returns are now accepted at the front door book drop during our regular business hours: Mondays and Fridays (10-6), Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (10-8) and Saturdays (9-1). Items will remain in quarantine for 96 hours before being checked in and removed from patron accounts. Items will be backdated to the day of return.
• Printing, copying and faxing is available doorside or by appointment inside the library building (inside options added October 5, 2020). Please call the library to make arrangements. Printing and copying costs are $.10 per side for B&W and $.25 for color. Faxing costs are $1.00 for the first page and $.25 per page after. Exact change is appreciated.

July 30, 2020 – Services Updates

• The Ellsworth Public Library is providing doorside pickups and virtual programming until further notice.
• We are able to copy, print and fax for patrons at this time, so please call the library to make arrangements for these services.
• Deliveries between libraries are now being made with reduced delivery days and quarantine procedures in place. Thanks for your continued patience as interlibrary holds will take a bit longer to become available for pickup.
• Notices for items ready for pickup are being sent via email, text or phone. Please watch for emails or texts to confirm items available for pickup. Once you receive notification you must call the library at 715-273-3209 to schedule a pickup appointment.  Staff will call patrons who have phone notification selected. Email and text notifications are recommended.