This article has current and previous Library updates in regards to COVID-19. If you are looking for more information, visit our COVID 19 Information article. If you are in need of assistance, please visit the Elgin Area Pandemic Assistance page. 

2022/02/28 Mascaras son opcionales

1/27/22 Events and Programs Update

For the safety of our staff and community, the library will not be holding any in person events or programs through February 15.

The play area in the Early Learning Center remains closed at this time, but materials are still available for browsing and checkout. We urge everyone to check the status of any library program at gailborden.info/events.

27/1/2022 Actualización de eventos y programas

Para la seguridad de nuestro personal y la comunidad, la biblioteca no llevará a cabo ningún evento o programa en persona hasta el 15 de febrero.

El campo de recreo en el Aprendizaje Temprano del Centro permanece cerrado en este tiempo, pero los materiales todavía están disponibles para ojeada y comprobación. Instamos a todos a verificar el estado de cualquier programa de la biblioteca en gailborden.info/eventos.

1/10/22 South Elgin Staff Shortage

12/29/21 Events and Programs Update

For the safety of our staff and community in this current pandemic environment, the library will not be holding any in person events or programs through January.  Some programs will be canceled.

We are urging everyone to check the status of any library program at gailborden.info/events. 

The Main Library Early Learning Center play area will be closing on Thursday, December 30. The Kidspace book areas will remain open so customers can select their own materials including books, CDs, toys, puzzles, Tiny Tech items, Early Learning kits and Resiliency Kits. Kidspace continues to have To Go Craft Kits. 

29/12/2021 Actualización de eventos y programas

Para la seguridad de nuestro personal y la comunidad en este entorno pandémico actual, la biblioteca no realizará ningún evento o programa en persona hasta enero. Algunos programas serán cancelados.

Instamos a todos a verificar el estado de cualquier programa de la biblioteca en gailborden.info/events.

El área de juegos del Centro de aprendizaje temprano de la biblioteca principal cerrará el jueves 30 de diciembre. Las áreas de libros de Kidspace permanecerán abiertas para que los clientes puedan seleccionar sus propios materiales, incluidos libros, CD, juguetes, rompecabezas, artículos de tecnología diminuta, kits de aprendizaje temprano y kits de resiliencia. Espacio para Niños sigue teniendo To Go Craft Kits.

8/26/21 Illinois Mask Mandate Update

Masks are required for people aged 2 and above in indoor locations regardless of vaccination status. *

*Per mandate by Illinois Governor Pritzker, August 26, 2021. 

Se requieren mascarillas para personas de 2 años o más en lugares cerrados, independientemente del estado de vacunación.*

* Por mandato del gobernador de Illinois, Pritzker, 26 de agosto de 2021.

8/19/21 Mask Update

6/11/21 Phase 5 Updates

6/7/21 Continuing to Serve You with the Utmost Care

• The mask requirement will end for vaccinated people on June 11 as we enter Phase 5. Customers and staff will be welcome to continue wearing masks if they choose. Unvaccinated children and adults must continue to mask for their safety.
• Free printing will be ending in Phase 5, June 11 - After June 11, the prices for printing will be .10 for black & white and .25 for color.
• Some of our study rooms will be reopening.
• The KidSpace Play Area will be reopening with a limited number of toys.
• We anticipate that in-person programming on a fuller schedule will commence this fall. We may have some outdoor programs this summer.

5/17/21 Regular Hours Return at all Library Locations

11/18/20 Buildings Closing - Shifting Library Service Models Starting November 20

Due to the surge in COVID-19 in Kane County and the potential risk to our customers and staff, the Gail Borden Public Library Board voted to shift library service models starting Friday, November 20 continuing until December 13. The service model changes are as follows: 

• All of the library buildings will be closed to the public.  However, the Library will continue to offer a variety of services.   

• The drive-up windows at Main and Rakow will be open. 

• Curbside service at South Elgin and the Bookmobile contactless service will continue. 

• The content of the Mediabox at South Elgin will be available via curbside service. 

• The Rakow Mediabank will remain open and the content of the Mediabanks at Main will be available through the drive-up service. 

• Reference Services and Interlibrary loan (ILL) will continue. 

• Home delivery - free contactless delivery is provided to anyone living in the Gail Borden Public Library District who finds it difficult or impossible to use the drive-up window at this time.  This is available by contacting svetter@gailborden.info or calling 847-429-4599. 

• A robust schedule of virtual programs will continue to educate and entertain our community at gailborden.info/virtualprograms.

• Printing Services for up to 20 pages at no charge will be available. People may email their print jobs from home and pick these up via the drive-up or curbside services. Please visit gailborden.info/printfromhome.

• Virtual One on One Assistance is available for technology, general reference, eBook assistance, job hunting and more.  Please call 847-429-4680. 

• People may register online for new library cards that will be valid for 90 days. People will be able to immediately use these cards after registering.  Please visit gailborden.info/get-card. 

• The 24/7 eLibrary continues to offer books, movies and more gailborden.info/elibrary. 

• Passport Services and License Plate Renewal services will not be available during this time. 

11/17/20 Shifting service models starting November 18

• There will be a 2-hour time limit for visitors to the buildings.
• Seating throughout the library will no longer be available with the exception for those with physical needs.
• The River Room will be closed.
• There will be a special board meeting on Wednesday, November 18 at 7 pm to address further changes.

10/23/20 Computer Center Changes at Main Library

Due to updated CDC guidelines, the Computer Center at the Main Library is temporarily closed and all computer traffic at Main will be directed up to the Business Center on the 2^nd floor.

Please visit our website for updates about the services that we have available to customers, along with our Reopening with Care guidelines: www.bit.ly/gbpcovid19.

7/2/20 Gail Borden Library has Reopened with Care

Due to a unanimous vote by the Gail Borden Public Library Board of Trustees on June 29 that was based on library services being critical to the community, all of the District Library buildings reopen with care as of Monday, July 6. Masks and social distancing requirements along with frequent cleaning, occupancy limits and plenty of plexiglass will help the Main, Rakow and South Elgin branches welcome visitors once again in a safe manner. In the hours descriptions below, please "walk in" virtually to see a very short video of each facility with the safety measures in place.

The bookmobile also reopened its doors July 6 to visitors, who are required to wear masks, while limiting the number of visitors aboard at the same time. 

Visits to the library buildings are quite different compared to pre-COVID to protect the health of both the staff and visitors. Visitors have found that: 

• Masks are required for visitors age 2 years and older to enter the buildings.
• Social distancing is required.
• There are occupancy limits.
• The Early Learning Center is closed at the Main Library.
• All children 13 and younger must be accompanied by a caregiver.
• The first hour of the day is reserved for vulnerable populations Monday through Thursday at all buildings.
• The library building hours are slightly shortened for additional cleaning.
• Passport Services at the Main Library are available by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call 847-429-4680.

The hours of the library buildings are as follows:

The Library has Reopened with Care as of July 6

Library visitors will find the following changes when they return to our buildings. These changes are temporary as we strive to provide the safest possible environment for library customers and staff. 

Social Distancing Measures—To make sure library visitors keep socially distant for safety, we have decreased seating throughout the buildings, spaced out seating in the computer center and decreased the number of computer stations available. Study rooms are temporarily closed.

The second floor self-check machine is out of service.

Passport Services at the Main Library are open by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call 847-429-4680.

Changes in Material Availability—Magazines and newspapers are not available for in-house use. Most Library of Things materials are not available for checkout except for eReaders, tablets and Hotspots.

Unattended Child Policy—For the health and safety of children visiting the library, children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver.

KidSpace Temporary Changes:

• Toys and puppets are not available for in-library use or checkout.
• Videogames, iPads and board games are not available for in-library use.
• Early Learning Center playroom, dramatic play area, the Creation Station and climber are temporarily closed.
• ELC picture book stacks are closed to browsers.
• In-house coloring sheets are not available; kids’ crafts are take-home only.

Programs are temporarily all virtual and can be accessed at https://www.gailborden.info/your-library-at-home or at gailborden.info/events.

6/22/20 Rakow Branch Computers Available Starting June 22 by Appointment Only

6/12/20 Computers Available by Appointment at the Main Library Starting June 15

Starting this Monday, June 15, Gail Borden Public Library cardholders age 14 and up can make an appointment to use a computer at the Main Library at 270 N. Grove, Elgin, IL.  With both safety and community need in mind, Library Trustees and staff have discussed and are moving forward on a plan to protect safety of staff and customers while creating computer access.  This arrangement will create an opportunity for people to file for unemployment, taxes and to participate in the Census.  But access will not be limited to these uses.

To make an appointment, people should call 847-742-2411. The hours for appointments are Monday-Thursday 9 am - 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am - 6 pm and Sunday noon - 5 pm.  Reservations can be made 7 days in advance.Computers sessions will be available for a maximum time period of 2 hours.

Customers with an appointment will be required to wear a mask and the computers will be cleaned between uses.  Plexiglass has been added to the computer center and the seating is socially distanced.

6/12/20 Bookmobile Making Stops

The bookmobile has resumed service in within safety guidelines. Even though customers may not board the bookmobile, they can pick up reserved holds.  Staff will also strive to provide books to customers who have not reserved books. To see the bookmobile schedule, please visit https://gailborden.info/bookmobile.

6/2/20 Drive-Up Windows and Phone Service Hours Extended as of June 1

The Main Library and Rakow Branch have extended hours for drive-up and phone services. As both buildings remain closed, library customers can reserve materials online at gailborden.info or by phone at 847-742-2411, then pick them up at either drive-up window. See below for the extended hours:

6/1/20 Getting Ready to Reopen with Care

The Main Library, Rakow Branch and South Elgin Branch have remained closed since March 14 to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Since then, we have been diligently working to clean and disinfect all three buildings by:

• Putting effective cleaning systems in place using hospital-grade disinfectant solutions approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting tables, chairs, public desks, computers and shelving as well as all fixtures in the washrooms throughout all three buildings.
• Having all carpeted areas, tile floors, terrazzo floors and rubber flooring professionally cleaned.
• Establishing several daily routines to disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, railings and elevators.
• Installing plexiglass partitions at service desks, hand sanitizer stations, floor markers for social distancing guides and more.
• Cleaning and quarantining returned materials according to medical and scientific guidelines.
• Forming a Reopening with Care Task Force comprised of staff to plan for reopening the Library in the safest way possible for library customers and staff.
• We are looking forward to welcoming our community back into our buildings. When we are able to open our doors, please know that we will be adhering to government and health guidelines.

We will continue to serve you and to communicate consistently to keep you informed. Please stay safe and keep reading.

6/1/20 Home Delivery Services

Free delivery is provided to anyone living in the Gail Borden Public Library District who finds it difficult or impossible to use the drive-up window at this time.

Please keep the Gail Borden Public Library bag that holds your delivery of materials with our compliments! Please use the plain clear plastic bag included to return your materials.

• Print books, audiobooks and music CDs can be requested.
• Up to eight items may be requested at a time.
• Library staff will make a delivery to your home or apartment.
• Deliveries will be made within a week of ordering materials.

Contact Home Services Associate Sarah Vetter svetter@gailborden.info or call 847-429-4599

6/1/20 South Elgin Branch Begins Curbside Service for Materials and Opens Mediabox

5/18/20 Rakow Branch Mediabank Now Available

5/5/20 Drive-Up Opens May 4

People who have had books and movies on hold since before the stay-at-home directive will now be able to pick them up at the drive-up windows in the Gail Borden Public Library District.  Starting, Monday, May 4th, the drive-up windows at the Main Library at 270 North Grove and the Rakow Branch at  2751 W. Bowes will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 am - 6 pm for pick-ups.  Customers who had books on hold before the Library closed its doors to customers on March 14 will be receiving a phone call regarding those materials.

Drive Up Opening

People who have had books and movies on hold since before the stay-at-home directive will now be able to pick them up at the drive-up windows in the Gail Borden Public Library District.  Starting, Monday, May 4th, the drive-up windows at the Main Library at 270 North Grove and the Rakow Branch at  2751 W. Bowes will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 am - 6 pm for pick-ups.  Customers who had books on hold before the Library closed its doors to customers on March 14 will be receiving a phone call regarding those materials.

Library officials have planned this new offering with the upmost safety in mind.  A small number of staff will be scheduled with minimal contact between staff members.  Staff who are handling this service have self-selected to be part of the drive-up service.  The contactless style of these drive-up windows makes this opportunity possible for the Gail Borden Library community. People will be able to place a hold online or by calling the Library. They will receive their holds via a bank-type slide-out drawer.

No material returns will be accepted at the drive-up windows. Materials can be returned through materials drop slots at both buildings or at the remote drop boxes.  Upon return, materials will be quarantined in excess of CDC guidelines. 

During this stay-at-home time period, facilities staff have overseen and performed a thorough deep clean and hospital grade disinfecting of all of the library buildings' interiors, including washrooms, hard services, shelving, computers, floors, furniture, light fixtures and rugs in anticipation of staff and customers returning to the building. In addition, library staff members are working diligently on a prospective reopening plan that will continue to follow the directives of the governor and health officials.   Staff anticipate that re-opening to customers will look quite different from the days of the past and will incorporate maximum safety for the staff and public.

In the near-term, people may place holds, pick up materials via the drive-up windows and return items through the drop slot starting May 4.

Working to Keep Customers and Staff Safe in the Library’s Buildings

The Main Library, Rakow Branch and South Elgin Branch have remained closed since March 14 to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Since then, the Library’s Facilities and Building Operations Team has worked collaboratively with outside vendors and staff members to clean and disinfect all three buildings. Although our staff members do an outstanding and thorough job of keeping our buildings clean for Library customers, they have increased efforts to ensure the buildings are clean and sanitized.

• The Library has been working diligently with janitorial subcontractors to put effective cleaning systems in place using hospital-grade disinfectant solutions approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat the virus at all of our facilities.
• Staff has increased the disinfecting of all frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, railings and elevators.
• Also, staff has thoroughly cleaned and disinfected all hard surfaces such as tables, chairs, public desks and shelving throughout all three of our facilities.
• All items in the Library’s public and staff washrooms have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected including floor tile, wall tile, partition walls, plumbing fixtures, door handles, mirrors, lighting fixtures, HVAC supply vents, lighting, shelves and hand dryers. 
• Computers and phones in the public areas have been cleaned and disinfected.
• All carpeted areas, tile floors, terrazzo floors and rubber flooring have been professionally cleaned.
• With respect to HVAC Systems, Library staff are following recommendations and guidelines set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE - Building Operations), which focuses on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability within the industry.
• The exterior surfaces of the Main Facility and Rakow Branch were professionally cleaned by National Soft Wash Inc., a company that specializes in cleaning and disinfecting commercial and residential structures using a solution that is approved by the CDC and the World Health Organization.

5/5/20 Library Preparation & Communication Regarding Coronavirus

We would like to communicate with our Gail Borden Public Library District community what we are doing around the Coronavirus (COVID-19) as this virus and recent news reports continue to cause concern for all of us.

We would like to communicate with our Gail Borden Public Library District community what we are doing around the Coronavirus (COVID-19) as this virus and recent news reports continue to cause concern for all of us.

The library encourages staff and customers to be aware of prevention measures and to use common sense when gathering in public places.

It is recommended that customers wash or sanitize their hands before using public computers, check-out kiosks or restrooms, as well as before handling materials and other public surfaces such as door knobs. The library also recommends that people wash or sanitize their hands again after all such interactions.

In addition to our normal proactive cleaning procedures, we are continuing to monitor the Center for Disease Control information at www.cdc.gov/COVID19.

• We have increased our cleaning activity especially with regard to frequently touched surfaces such as railings, door handles, elevator buttons, toys and other hard surfaces.
• We continue to have hand sanitizers available outside of our bathrooms and at our public desks.
• We have additional sanitizing wipes that are available for both our customers and staff.
• We have added additional signage about the need for handwashing.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that coronaviruses do not survive well on surfaces, but are spread most often by small droplets of mucus from the nose and throat. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus, which is why diligent hand washing and sanitizing are so important. However, in addition to fastidious hand washing, the CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

For additional health and safety information, visit:

• City of Elgin Coronavirus Mapping Resource Center webpage
• Kane County Health Department http://kanehealth.com/
• State of Illinois Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response webpage
• Illinois Department of Public Health Coronavirus webpage
• Illinois Coronavirus Disease Hotline
  If you have any questions regarding the Coronavirus, please call (800) 889-3931 or email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV

• CDC Coronavirus webpage (English)
• CDC Coronavirus webpage (Spanish)
• Worldometers.info Coronavirus webpage
• Report price gouging with Illinois Attorney General webpage

5/5/20 Programs Cancelled

Gail Borden Public Library District has canceled programs in support of COVID-19 prevention efforts. All library customers registered for the affected programming are being notified. We urge people to check the Library's schedule of events at www.gailborden.info/events to see if their program has been rescheduled.

Gail Borden Public Library District has canceled programs in support of COVID-19 prevention efforts. All library customers registered for the affected programming are being notified. We urge people to check the Library's schedule of events at www.gailborden.info/events to see if their program has been rescheduled.

NOTICE - This closure has been extended beyond March 31.

Health experts including Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, have advocated for social distancing — isolating people and canceling gatherings — as the best solution to avoid the rapid spread of this infectious disease. Slowing the rate of infection will help “flatten the curve” of new COVID-19 cases and keep the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed.

5/5/20 Library at Home

Watch online programing here.

Still Serving People in Their Homes

Gail Borden Public Library District offers robust services for people of all ages while they remain in their homes:

• • Our 24/7 eLibrary offers downloadable books, streaming movies and music for all ages.
  • The Tumblebook Library offers story books, read-alongs, graphic novels, puzzles and games and more.  Much of the content is available in English, Spanish and French.
  • tutor.com service offers homework help for all ages in different languages.

• Visitors to our “Your Library at Home” channel can access a number of library programs including STEM craft programs that families can do in their homes, library staff eBook recommendations of titles people can download to their own devices and, of course, we have included a short “how to” video about how to access all of these services.  
• The “Any Way You Slice it, You Count,” Census Pi (e) event on Saturday, 3/14 is postponed. 

These services and programs continue to be available.

• Early voting continues at the Main Library at 270 N. Grove through March 16. The Main Library remains a voting site for election day on March 17.

The library will promptly update the public of any further changes to services.

5/5/20 The Gail Borden Public Library Buildings are Closed

In accordance with Gail Borden Public Library District's commitment to taking steps to limit the spread of COVID-19, all the Gail Borden Library buildings and branches closed on March 13, 2020. These safety measures are being taken out of concern for the health and safety for our community, not due to any known exposure.

In accordance with Gail Borden Public Library District's commitment to taking steps to limit the spread of COVID-19, all the Gail Borden Library buildings and branches closed on March 13, 2020. These safety measures are being taken out of concern for the health and safety for our community, not due to any known exposure.

• All due dates have been extended for all checked out materials while we are closed. No new extended use fees will be accrued during this period. Please do not return materials while the library is closed. You may keep them until the Library reopens. Check back for updates.

• The Library is no longer accepting donations at this time.
   
• Please visit the library's 24/7 web page to learn about all of the virtual services.  www.gailborden.info/24-7-elibrary
   
• Passport services are unavailable while the Library is closed.
   
• Please visit the KCT Credit Union website for updates.

Atención - Los Edificios de la Biblioteca Pública Gail Borden están cerrados.

De acuerdo con el compromiso del Distrito de Bibliotecas Públicas de Gail Borden de tomar medidas para limitar la propagación de COVID-19, todos los edificios y sucursales de la Biblioteca cerrarán el 13 de marzo de 2020. 

La votación anticipada y la votación electoral en la Biblioteca Principal continuarán hasta el día de las elecciones, el 17 de marzo de 2020.

• Todos los vencimientos para materiales prestados han sido ampliados mientras estamos cerrados. No se acumularán cargos por uso extendido durante este período. Por favor, no devuelva materiales mientras la biblioteca esté cerrada. Puedes conservarlos hasta que estemos abiertos. Visite nuestro sitio web para obtener información actualizada en gailborden.info.
   
• La Biblioteca ya no acepta donaciones en este momento.
   
• Visite la página web 24/7 de la biblioteca para obtener información sobre todos los servicios virtuales que están disponibles para titulares de tarjeta inmediatamente. www.gailborden.info/24-7-elibrary
   
• Los servicios de pasaporte no están disponibles mientras la biblioteca está cerrada.
   
• Por favor visite el sitio web de KCT para más detalles.