Library News

Use of the library spaces and collections during the return to campus 2020 Term 2

For the protection of students and staff the library has developed the following safety procedure for using the library and the collections. This procedure has been developed by the practices recommended by the Australian Library and Information Association at https://read.alia.org.au/australian-libraries-responding-covid-19-checklist-reopening-libraries

A study from the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that COVID-19 remains infectious for 24 hours on cardboard and two to three days for plastic https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200320192755.htm. Therefore:

Using the library

• As with the rest of the campus, students and staff maintain social distancing in the library and can’t use the space if they are sick or unwell.
• In response the library has reduced the number of seats. The new seating limits are:
  • Computer area 1 teacher and 12 students
  • Study (table and chairs) 20 students. This includes 2 studies on the diagonal in the booth seating.
  • Anne Forsell quiet study – 4 students
  • Reading (lounge and egg chairs) 10 students
  • Book Nook - closed for students until the whole of school returns as Mr Owen will be based in the Junior School in term 2.

Using the library computers and equipment

• The library will not be lending head phones until further notice.
• You can continue to borrow laptops, cameras and camera equipment but they will be disinfected when they are returned.
• For your safety and the safety of others please do not share you loan laptop, camera, or camera equipment with anybody else.
• Students and staff need to disinfect their hands before using the photocopier.

Browsing books

• Students and staff can browse the collection in the library but they most social distance from each other.
• Students and staff have to disinfect their hands before browsing and or borrowing from the library collection.

Book loans - checkouts

• Library books are loaned from the library information desk behind the new Perspex safety screen.
• The Library encourages student and staff to borrow via the catalogue reservations. For help see https://library.mentonegirls.vic.edu.au/help/catalogue-holds
  • If you reserve a book before the end of recess the library staff will process the reservations and distribute the books to class rooms before the end of the school day.
  • If you reserve a book after the end of recess the library staff will process and distribute the books to class rooms before the end of the following school day.
• The Kerferd Library offers over 30,000 online items available 24/7, this includes lots of eBooks and audio books. You are encouraged to use this collection. For more details see https://library.mentonegirls.vic.edu.au/ebooks-audiobooks
• For your safety and the safety of others please:
  • Do not share a library book with someone else, and
  • Do not pass on a library book to someone else after you are finished with it. Return it to the library so it can be disinfected and loaned to the next person.
  • Library staff are using plastic gloves when touching the book stock. This includes loans, returns and re-shelving.
  • Student and staff can only check out their own books they cannot check out books under someone else’s name and pass the book onto the other person.

Book loans – returns / check in

• Library books can only be returned at the Kerferd Library information desk.
• Students and staff are ask to put these books in the return slot. Library staff will wear gloves and disinfect each book before re-shelving the book.
• Please note: there is a 24 hour wait period between loans, the library cannot immediately pass a returned book onto another person. This may have to be extended to three days if the number of books being returned increases.