Emergency Closing Policy

Introduction

Northland Public Library is a public service organization and will make every reasonable effort to remain open during posted hours. The decision to close the Library under adverse conditions rests with the Executive Director, and in the Executive Director’s absence will fall to the staff member listed under the Chain of Command or in the absence of all the above, the senior person on-site.

Directives issued by the national, state or local governments will be adhered to by the Library.

Inclement Weather

We use the North Allegheny School District weather related closings as a guide to make our decision. If you hear that North Allegheny is closed or has a delay due to road conditions, it means pay attention to the below-mentioned communication channels, because we MAY also have a closing or delay, but we do NOT automatically follow the school’s decision.

Generally, if we have heat, we do not close or delay due to extremely cold temperatures.

A decision for an additional delay or closing of the Library will be based upon several factors that may include:

• General condition of the roads;
• Projected forecast for worsening conditions;
• Conditions of the Library’s parking lot and walkways;
• Availability of staff to open and operate the Library;
• A state of emergency for the immediate area declared by local, county or state law enforcement agencies.

If we have a weather-related closing or delay, there are many ways employees and the public will be notified. They include:

• E-mail and text alerts are sent out to staff.
• KDKA, WTAE, and WPXI TV stations are notified and a listing specific to Northland Public Library should be seen on those stations and their websites. We do not have control over how and when they post this information.
• Notice is posted on the Homepage of our website.
• Notice is posted to our social media accounts.
• The recorded greeting on the library phone will be changed to relay the closing information.
• When staff can get to the Library (maintenance or other), signs will be posted on the upper and lower level doors.
• We also do our best to contact outside groups who have reserved the meeting rooms, but they are also advised to check the public notifications.

Power / Water Outage

If the building loses electrical power, the emergency lighting system should activate. The system will provide up to 30 minutes of lighting. Staff will request that patrons complete their transactions and exit the building. If the emergency lighting system does not activate, the building will be evacuated immediately. Staff will make certain all patrons have left and then remain in the building if it is safe to do so.

If there is a water outage, staff will alert all patrons and staff in the building.

If power/water is not restored at the end of 60 minutes or the normal closing time (whichever comes first), the building will be closed. The senior staff person will notify the Executive Director that the building is closing, if they are not on site.

The Library may re-open if it can be done safely and if power/water is restored at least 4.5 hours before the normal closing time. This will allow time for staff to be contacted and to return to the Library and prepare the building to be open for at least 3 hours prior to normal closing time.

Other Emergencies

For emergencies other than weather, water or power outage, staff will maintain operations if the safety of the staff and public are not endangered.

Extended Closure

In a situation where the Library is closed to the public for an extended period of time, patron services will be modified or temporarily suspended during the closure:

• The Library’s website, northlandlibrary.org, will have the latest information regarding closures and library services.
• All outreach and programs will be cancelled or postponed.
• All meeting room rentals will be cancelled or postponed.
• Although patrons may be able to place holds on library materials, they may not be able to pick them up.
• Checking out all physical library materials may be halted.
• Books-by-Mail service to homebound patrons may be disrupted.
• Unless the emergency affects e-resources, they should still be available for patrons to use from outside the Library.
• Check the Library’s website regarding the ability to return library materials through book drops.
• When the Library re-opens, it may do so with limited hours and/or services.

For Staff

If Closing the Building:

• Contact all staff scheduled to arrive at a later time.
• Place appropriate signage at each entrance.
• Follow normal procedures to close building.
• Send closing messages to television stations/social media.
• Change closing message on telephone to reflect emergency closing.
• If the closing decision is made prior to 2:10 p.m. on a day when the North Allegheny schools are in session, contact the North Allegheny Senior High School, the North Allegheny Intermediate High School and the Carson Middle School and request they announce our emergency closing on their afternoon announcements. If the decision to close is made after 2:10 p.m., but prior to 2:50 p.m. contact Carson Middle School and request they announce our emergency closing on their afternoon announcements.

For an extended closure, staff to report:

• Follow Pandemic Policy, if applicable.
• Share resources and information with staff and volunteers.
• Inform the public of all measures the Library is taking via the website, social media and the automated phone message.
• Put informational signs on Library doors and book drops, as needed.
• Implement a hiring freeze.
• Ask volunteers to stay home.
• Replace in-person meetings with teleconferencing, MS Teams, Zoom or other virtual meetings.
• Postpone all classroom training.
• Allow as many staff as possible to work from home.
• Cancel all outreach.
• Cancel all programs and room rentals, both internal and offsite. Offer virtually if possible.
• Encourage patrons to hang on to their library materials.
• Continue to check in library materials if possible.
• Halt attendance at offsite meetings, conferences, luncheons, etc.
• Modify work schedules and shift staff duties as needed.
• Offer telephone- and email-reference services only.
• Suspend paging list and refrain from clearing the hold shelf.

For an extended closure to both public and staff:

1. The Library will remain closed to the public and staff will not be permitted in the building.
2. Assign the care of Northland critters to specific staff members.
3. Certain key staff members must do whatever work they can from home.
4. All staff will be paid for their regularly scheduled hours.
5. Staff should check their work emails frequently for updates.
6. The Library will re-open when it has been deemed safe to do so, but hours of operation and/or services may be limited for a time.

Approved 1/22/19
Rev 3/24/2020
Rev 4/20/2023
Rev 8/27/2024