Northern Michigan’s largest library system re-opens its doors to the public Monday. The Traverse Area District Library (TADL) has been closed to in-person browsing since November.“It feels like with our cleaning protocols and all the extra steps we’ve taken that we can open and keep people safe,” says TADL Director Michele Howard.
“We’ve installed bipolar ionization into our heating ducts to try to keep the air cleaner, we’ve increased the amount of outside air in our air ducts too, so that we’re bringing in more outside air to keep the building fresh and clean,” she says.
Howard also says the libraries will be cleaned every three hours and all returned items will be quarantined for at least 24 hours. Mask-wearing is mandatory everywhere in the buildings.
TADL operates six branches in northern Michigan and serves around 97-thousand people.
The only location that won’t have indoor service is the East Bay branch. Howard says that location doesn’t have enough space for social distancing. All branches will still offer curbside service.
Howard says she’s been waiting a long time to welcome people back into their buildings.
“We know there’s some people who will need to come in just to stay warm, or students that are home right now doing homework,” she says. “So part of our mission is to be that space.”
