Hi there! We are back! We have really been looking forward to getting you and your books and movies back together!! No doubt you have figured out there will be changes. First, if you are still concerned about coming into the library, but you want something to read, please call us 717-653-1510 or email us at info@mslibrary.org. We will set up a special Grab and Go delivery for you.

Second, but probably the biggest – please do not bring anything into the library. You and your card are all we need. Deposit your returns in the outside book depository. They will all be quarantined for at least 5 days prior to going home with someone else. If you check your Library Account, you will discover your returns are still on there, but we will back-date everything so fines will not incur while items are in quarantine.

If you want to come in and browse the shelves, you are in luck! Our hours for the summer will be Mon-Thu 10am-8:00pm; Friday we will be here from 10am to 5:00pm; and on Saturday, you will find us here from 9am-1:00pm.

If you need our computers, copy machine, or printing, we can help. We do ask people to limit their time as we have decreased the number of computers available. We have also limited the chairs in the library – plan a short visit to get your needed materials and then leave.

Warn your children that the toys have been put away for the summer. Which means there might be running space in the library. We would prefer walking feet only. But, we would love to help you choose library books and movies. Our summer reading theme is “Imagine Your Story.” You will find activity information inside the Library and on our website.  Miss Jan will start programming outside under the shade sails very soon.

We do need your help to keep the library open. When you come in please wear your mask. It is required and it helps us all stay safe. You will find hand sanitizer strategically placed in the library. If it or anything else needs attention during your visit, we would appreciate being told. So, we will see you soon! We are really looking forward to seeing you – we know that with your help, we can make this happen.

Milanof-Schock Library has scheduled a “soft” reopening to begin Thursday, June 11. The Library building will not be open to the community at that time, but the Library staff plans to take email or phone requests for items and have patrons pick them up in a Holds Only – Grab & Go Porch Pickup style. This process is temporary and will continue for a few weeks. What will this look like?

If Lancaster County “goes yellow” as expected on June 5, the Library staff will return to the building for preparations.
• Beginning June 8, staff will be at the Library Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm, Friday 10am-5pm, and Saturday 9am-1pm to answer the phone for item requests.
• Thursday, June 11, the Library will begin its initial Holds Only – Grab & Go Porch Pickup system. An “order form” for item requests can be found by clicking Hold Request Form 061520. The form should be used as a guide to provide information to the staff regarding what items are being requested; the more information you can give, the better they can assist the public.
• During the initial Holds Only – Grab & Go Porch Pickup system, we will only be able to fill requests from the online catalog marked “Available” at Milanof-Schock Library. For now, you cannot place holds on books from other Libraries.
• Call: 717-653-1510 Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm, Friday 10am-5pm, and Saturday 9am-1pm or you can email your item requests at info@mountjoy.lib.pa.us .

As the Library starts its reopening process, please understand for the first few weeks the Library will not be open for browsing, for the use of public computers, nor for any other library services. All item requests will be done over the phone or through email, and patrons will be asked to pick up their labeled items on the Library’s front porch during scheduled times.

Thank you for your help in making this new process work. We are happy to be able to serve the community again.

Sadly, we are still a long way from opening. As soon as we have any information on when and how we will open, we will certainly let you know.

When a county or region is changes from red to yellow, we anticipate that this will be a signal that library staff may reenter the building to begin preparing the staff, collections and facility for a return to service.

Once those preparations are complete, we expect that libraries in yellow areas will provide limited public services (such as pickup service) provided they adhere to state and federal guidelines, as well as guidelines that will be available later in May in the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) Framework for Reopening Libraries.

To support libraries with reopening plans, PDE has drafted a Framework for Reopening Libraries that is based on the Governor’s three-phase commonwealth reopening matrix. Using input from district consultants, feedback from district library center leaders, and comments from Pennsylvania Library Association open forums, the framework lists guidelines libraries must abide by to ensure the community’s health and safety.  In addition, it also identifies issues that each library may need to consider before reopening. Currently, the Framework for Reopening Libraries is under review in PDE and will also need to be approved by the Department of Health (DOH).

Libraries must also order (if supplies can be found): masks; cleaning and disinfecting supplies; hand sanitizer for staff and the public; sneeze shields made out of non-porous materials such as plexiglass, plastic, glass, etc.; tissues, gloves; thermometers.

Reopening as part of a system of connected libraries is also complicated by the way libraries share material. Despite the fact that libraries are independent non-profit organizations, they work work together in many ways. The public libraries of Lancaster County share a unified catalog and have devised a delivery system to allow items to easily move between libraries. Currently, library materials are not where they belong, and the cataloging software we rely on to show us where our things are is not functioning the way it is intended. It was never supposed to “shut down.” It has to be reset and restarted in a step by step manner to avoid losing more information and data.

There is so much that needs to go into opening to the public so that everyone is safe, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to follow the guidelines set in place.