​SPECIAL NOTICE

The latest news and update as it relates to the Library. 
UPDATE MARCH 2, 2022
​Throughout the pandemic, decisions made under our Continuation of Service Plan relied on the guidance of the CDC, the Albany County Department of Health, and mandates of the Governor's executive orders. As a library chartered by the NYS Department of Education, we have used "school rules" to inform our decisions as well. Greenville CSD, Middleburgh CSD, and BKW CSD have announced that they will be lifting their mask mandate on March 2. Therefore, beginning Wednesday, March 2, we will be lifting our mask mandate, too. 

Patrons, trustees, staff, and volunteers are advised to heed the guidelines found on the CDC website and base their mask-wearing decisions on the guidance advised for each level of risk for their resident county and the County of Albany. Currently, Albany County is at medium risk; Greene and Schoharie Counties are at low risk. Concurrent to lifting the mask mandate, we will also be relaxing the limitations to time spent in the library and pandemic-era maximum capacity. Neither of these two limitations have proven necessary and relaxing them will be an important step towards normalizing operations.

As with all things "pandemic", we have - and will continue to be - flexible in the management of public safety in our library. We will re-visit a return to mask mandates, time limits, and restricted capacity if at any time an elevated risk level makes it necessary to do so. We will continue to have masks available for people who want them, accommodate patrons who would rather not come inside, and urge folks who are not feeling well to take care and stay home (which is always good advice).
UPDATED AUGUST 26, 2021
Evening Hours Added to Library Schedule.

Rensselaerville Library is changing its hours of operation to add evening hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday effective August 31.  

New hours: Tuesday and Thursday  10:00am-1:00pm and 3:00pm-7:00pm
                    Wednesday                   10:00am-1:00pm and 3:00pm-6:00pm
                    Friday and Saturday      10:00am-2:00pm
                    Sunday and Monday      Closed

Our hours have changed, but our level of service has not. Come in and browse, return and pickup library materials, use our office machine and computers. We only require that you continue to use masks and hand sanitizer, maintain social distancing, and limit your visits to 30 minutes so we can allow others in if we meet our maximum capacity.

Returns should be made at the Circulation Desk or in the drop slots. Items that you order will be put on the hold shelf until you come in to check them out. If you would like to continue Front Porch Pickup, give us a call when you receive your text or email notification, and we will happily provide this service for you. Remote printing is also available upon request.

As always, our focus is to do all we can to serve you as a library. We're not back to normal yet, but it's starting to feel that way. Be patient, be safe. We're almost there.
UPDATED MAY 25, 2021
No more appointments!

Rensselaerville Library is eliminating the need to make appointments effective May 25.  

Come in and browse, return and pickup library materials, use our office machine and computers. We only require that you continue to use masks and hand sanitizer, maintain social distancing, and limit your visits to 30 minutes so we can allow others in if we meet our maximum capacity.

Relaxing entry requirements means that we will also be normalizing circulation procedures. Returns can be made at the Circulation Desk or in the drop slots. Items that you order will be put on the hold shelf until you come in to check them out. If you would like to continue Front Porch Pickup, give us a call when you receive your text or email notification and we will happily continue to provide this service for you. Remote printing will also be available upon request.

More and more, as the constraints of the past year are gradually lifted, we continue to focus on what we can do to serve you as a library. We're not to normal yet, but it's starting to feel that way. Be patient, be safe. We're almost there.
UPDATED APRIL 13, 2021
Rensselaerville Library Returns To In-Library Services By Appointment and Front Porch Pickup Beginning April 13
Beginning on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, Rensselaerville Library will return to Level 4 of our COVID-19 Continuation of Services Plan to which will include limited services and browsing in the stacks.

Our services in a nutshell…
 
The Library's hours of operations will remain the same, Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm. In addition to Front Porch Pickup, you will be able to make appointments to browse parts of the collection located on the first and second floors of the Main Library and the first floor of the Annex side of the building. Both basement areas remain closed to the public.  Also, access to limited in-library services such as public computer access, indoor wifi, printing/faxing/copying, and information/reference/technical services will be available by appointment only. Remote printing requests will continue to be fulfilled for the foreseeable future.
 
Here's how it works...

Call us during library hours at 518-797-3949 or email us at [email protected] to tell us which service you require, make an appointment, and come in at the appointed time. For those of you who like to live on the wild side, feel free to drop by to see if there is immediate availability. That’s okay, too! Our goal is to serve you without going over the maximum number of people that are able to occupy the library while still maintaining a safe 6' distance apart.
 
When you arrive (remember your mask!), wait in the entryway for a member of the library staff to acknowledge you. While you wait, help yourself to the hand sanitizer – you will need to use it before entering the main library. Once you’ve received instructions from the library staff, you’ll have up to one-half hour to select and check out your items. The same time limit applies to our other services as well.
 
We won’t be fully back to “normal.” There will be no sitting and reading, and (yikes!) still no public restrooms. Also, for the time being, we can only allow one person at a time to staff the Circulation Desk which may cause a bit of waiting. We ask your patience and good humor. 
 
Our commitment to you and our community...

The Rensselaerville Library and its staff are committed to providing services to you while also maintaining a high level of health and safety standards for the protection of our community. In order to continue in-library services into the future - with the ultimate goal of full restoration of operations and services – we need your help. If you have any symptoms indicative of COVID-19, and/or have had, do have, or have been exposed to COVID-19 within 14 days of you appointment, please contact us and let us know that you will not be keeping your appointment.
 
If for any reason, you are unable to comply with any of our requirements for accessing the Front Porch or entering our building, library staff will work with you to accommodate your needs. Just ask.

Stay safe and be well, friends. Hope to see you soon!
UPDATED DECEMBER 18, 2020
Rensselaerville Library Rolling Back Services To Pickup-Only Beginning December 22

December 18, 2020 – Effective Tuesday, December 22, Rensselaerville Library is rolling back its level of services to “Pickup Only” in reaction to rising COVID-19 cases in its 3-county service region. We will remain at this level of service until further notice.
 
The Library's hours of operations will remain the same, Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm. As we have done since re-opening in June, we will take and process orders of Library items for pickup. Your items will be placed in bags and put on a cart in the front entryway. The exterior drop slot and a gray plastic bin will be available for returns. All other access to the library will be restricted. Masks are required. Staff will make every effort to accommodate you if you cannot meet this requirement.
 
We encourage you to order your books online through the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) for 24-hour access to the catalog. If there is an item that you know to be on our shelves, you can call us during library hours at 518-797-3949 or email us at [email protected]. New items are held exclusively for Rensselaerville Library patrons to borrow and our New Item List is available online by visiting our website.

We will contact you when your items are available and arrange for a date and time for them to be ready for pickup. Your items will be in opaque plastic bags with your name prominently displayed. Please do not touch any other bags on the cart.

The Rensselaerville Library and its staff are committed to providing services to you while also maintaining a high level of health and safety standards for the protection of our community. In order to do so, we need your help. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to it within 14 days of your visit to the library, or are experiencing any symptoms indicative of COVID-19, please stay home. COVID-19 exposure will lead to an immediate shutdown of the Library, and none of us want that.

We regret that we have had to make this decision. Providing library services to you safely is our #1 priority and we will endeavor to return to in-Library services as soon as it is safe to do so again.
 
A reminder: The library will be closed Christmas and New Year's Days and closing at noon on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. We wish for you safe holidays full of joy and love and a happy, healthy, and hopeful 2021!
UPDATED DECEMBER 9, 2020
Rensselaerville Library Reacts To Surging COVID-19 Cases in 3-County Region By Reducing Library Services

December 10, 2020 – Effective immediately, Rensselaerville Library is stepping back its level of in-Library Services in reaction to rising COVID-19 cases in its 3-county service region, as outlined in Level 4 of the Library’s Continuation of Service Plan.

The Library's hours of operations will remain the same, Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm, and staff will continue to take and process orders of Library items for pickup in its front entryway. In addition, you can make 15-minute appointments to access limited in-library services such as public computer access, indoor wifi, printing/faxing/copying, and information/reference/technical services. Access to the first and second floor of the Main Library is restricted to staff-only and browsing of the remaining collection is suspended for the foreseeable future.
 
Appointments are preferred, but drop-ins will be accommodated if capacity allows. Call us during library hours at (518) 797-3949 or email us at [email protected] to tell us which service you require, make an appointment, and come in at the appointed time.

Masks and use of hand sanitizer are required. Staff will make every effort to accommodate you if you cannot meet these requirements.

The Rensselaerville Library and its staff are committed to providing services to you while also maintaining a high level of health and safety standards for the protection of our community. In order to do so, we need your help. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to it within 14 days of your visit to the library, or are experiencing any symptoms indicative of COVID-19, please contact us and let us know that you will not be keeping your appointment.

The surge is still surging. We check the numbers daily. If they continue to rise -- and every indication leads us to believe they will -- the Library will keep you informed of further steps we will need to take to safely navigate our way through this third wave of the pandemic.

Stay safe and be well, friends.
UPDATED AUGUST 5, 2020
Rensselaerville Library Adds Browsing to In-Library Services and Front Porch Pickup
Beginning August 11

Beginning on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, Rensselaerville Library will increase the number of services in Level 4 of our COVID-19 Continuation of Services Plan to include limited browsing in the stacks.

Our services in a nutshell…
 
The Library's hours of operations will remain the same, Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm. In addition to Front Porch Pickup, you will be able to make appointments to browse parts of the collection located on the first and second floors of the Main Library and the first floor of the Annex side of the building. Both basement areas remain closed to the public due to construction.  Access to limited in-library services such as public computer access, indoor wifi, printing/faxing/copying, and information/reference/technical services will continue by appointment only.
 
Here's how it works...

Call us during library hours at 518-797-3949 or email us at [email protected] to tell us which service you require, make an appointment, and come in at the appointed time. For those of you who like to live on the wild side, feel free to drop by to see if there is immediate availability. That’s okay, too!
 
When you arrive (remember your mask!), wait in the entryway for a member of the library staff to acknowledge you. While you wait, help yourself to the hand sanitizer – you will need to use it before entering the stacks. Once you’ve received instructions from the library staff, you’ll have up to one-half hour to select and check out your items.
 
We won’t be fully back to “normal.” There will be no sitting and reading, and alas, no public restrooms. Also, for the time being, we can only allow one person at a time to staff the Circulation Desk which may cause a bit of waiting. We ask your patience and good humor. After all, you’ve waited this long already, what’s a few moments more.
 
Our commitment to you and our community...

The Rensselaerville Library and its staff are committed to providing services to you while also maintaining a high level of health and safety standards for the protection of our community. In order to continue in-library services into the future - with the ultimate goal of full restoration of operations and services – we need your help. If you have any symptoms indicative of COVID-19, and/or have had, do have, or have been exposed to COVID-19 within 14 days of you appointment, please contact us and let us know that you will not be keeping your appointment.
 
If for any reason, you are unable to comply with any of our requirements for accessing the Front Porch or entering our building, library staff will work with you to accommodate your needs. Just ask.

Stay safe and be well, friends. Hope to see you soon!
UHLS Statement Condemning Racism and Pledge to Help Make a Difference 
​
The Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) unequivocally denounces racism and endorses the statements made by the New York Library Association (NYLA) and the New York Black Librarians Caucus (NYBLC), the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), the American Library Association (ALA), and all other library allies in their condemnation of violence and racism towards Black people and all people of color. 
Acts of racism, violence, and injustice toward one another, particularly toward our communities of color, are a stark reminder that we must all do our personal best to make our own Upper Hudson Library System community fair, inclusive, and just. UHLS’ fundamental mission is and has always been to help our member libraries reach their full potential in providing the most equitable and positively impactful library service to their communities. A thriving and equitable public library community benefits us all. To that end, we pledge our resources, creativity, and our sustained effort to help build true racial and social justice throughout our community.
 
UHLS Board of Trustees and Executive Director July 8, 2020
Rensselaerville Library is a member of the Upper Hudson Library System.
UPDATED JUNE 19, 2020
Rensselaerville Library  Adds In-Library Services to Front Porch Pickup  Beginning June 23

The doors to the library will inch open a bit wider next week. Beginning on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, we will graduate to Level 4 of our COVID-19 Continuation of Services Plan.

What this means to you...

The Library's hours of operations will remain the same, Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm, and staff will continue to take and process orders of Library items for Front Porch Pickup.
In addition, you will be able to make appointments to access limited in-library services such as public computer access, indoor wifi, printing/faxing/copying, and information/reference/technical services.

What you need to do...

Call us during library hours at 518-797-3949 or email us at [email protected] to tell us which service you require, make an appointment, and come in at the appointed time. It’s that simple!

​The small print: masks are required, no browsing in the stacks (for now), appointments are in ½-hour time slots, and here’s the tough one, no public restrooms. Details about all Level 4 services can be found in our COVID-19 Continuation of Services Plan or contact us for a printed copy.

Our commitment to you and our community...

The Rensselaerville Library and its staff are committed to providing services to you while also maintaining a high level of health and safety standards for the protection of our community.  In order to continue adding in-library services in the future - with the ultimate goal of full restoration of operations and services – we need your help. If you have any symptoms indicative of COVID-19, and/or have had, do have, or have been exposed to COVID-19 within 14 days of you appointment, please contact us and let us know that you will not be keeping your appointment.

Stay safe and be well, friends. Hope to see you soon!
UPDATED JUNE 5, 2020
Rensselaerville Library Reopening For Front Porch Pickup Services Beginning June 9

The Board of Trustees and staff of the Rensselaerville Library are happy to announce that we will begin our reopening process with Front Porch Pickup Services beginning on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.

What you need to know...

For a minimum of two weeks, the Library's hours of operations will be Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm. Library staff will be on hand during these hours to take and process orders of Library items only. Completed orders will be placed on a book cart on the Front Porch of the Library.

What you need to do...

We encourage you to order your books online through the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) for 24-hour access to the catalog. If there is an item that you know to be on our shelves, you can call us during library hours at 518-797-3949 or email us at [email protected]. 

If you order online, please contact us when you receive your notification that your books are available at the library. If you're interested in seeing what's new, our New Item List is available online. Online, email, and phone orders will be completed within 24 business hours and placed on the book cart for a maximum of 3 business days from fulfillment. Items will be checked out at the time the order is fulfilled.

Pickup of items will occur on the Front Porch of the Library. Facial coverings are required in the Library building and on its premises, and physical distancing of 6' is strongly advised. If you are unable to access the Front Porch for any reason, we will be happy to make other accommodations. Your items will be in opaque plastic bags with your name prominently displayed. Please do not touch any other bags on the cart.

The Library drop slot and a large gray bin will be available for the return of library materials checked out prior to our March closure. Until further notice, all returned items will be quarantined for 72 hours before being checked in. All late fees for materials from other libraries will be waived.

Our pledge...

All library materials are being handled with the utmost care regarding the health and safety of our patrons, staff, and community. Items returned to the library and traversing through the Upper Hudson Library System are being quarantined a minimum of 72 hours before being checked in.  This will cause some delays in fulfillment of orders, but we feel this is a wise and necessary precaution. Our library is fine-free and most libraries are waiving fines to allow for late returns that may occur due to the systemic delays.  

All library staff have been provided with PPEs (e.g., masks and gloves) and have been instructed in their mandatory use when handling library materials.  All staff are also required to affirm that they a) do not have symptoms indicative of COVID-19 and b) have not had, do not have, nor have been exposed to COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to reporting to work on any given day. 

Our goal is to move forward from this level of reopening to a level where we can allow access to the building on a limited basis, and ultimately, to restore library services to pre-pandemic levels.  We can only do this with the help of our Library community. We are counting on your patience as we carve this path into unchartered land and thank you for your continuing support.
​UPDATED JUNE 1, 2020

On May 25, 2020, the Board of Trustees approved a COVID-19 Continuation of Service (COS) Plan in anticipation of the phased-in reopening of the Rensselaerville Library.
 
The COS Plan consists of multiple levels of library operations and service to our patrons and community.  At all times during each level, the fundamental driver for moving forward will be the health and safety of the library staff and members of the public based on Federal, State, and County recommendations and guidelines.
 
On March 16, 2020, we entered Level 1 of the plan, closing the library building while continuing the highest level of library services possible.  Those services included enhanced 24/7 wifi access, additional digital content providers and e-content, virtual programming, and expanded community outreach through social media and other digital formats.
 
As of May 26, 2020, we have entered Level 2 of the COS Plan. We are reintroducing staff to the building and orienting them to all-new safety protocols and procedures.  The building and the collection are being cleaned and sanitized, and furnishings reorganized to provide for safe physical distancing.
 
On June 9, the library will enter Level 3 of the COS Plan during which time we will begin providing “Front Porch Services.”  The staff will be onsite Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm to fill online, email, and phone orders for library materials and accept drop-off items for check-in.  More details about Front Porch Services will be provided on our website and via social media and other digital outlets soon.
 
Level 3 will remain in effect until we determine it is safe to advance to Level 4 when slightly expanded library services will be available by appointment only.
 
Each successive level will expand both hours of operations and library services until we reach Post-Pandemic Level 7.  The plan is gradual and flexible, allowing us to move forward, or backward, through the plan as health and safety guidelines dictate.  The plan may be amended as needed, but any changes will first and foremost be guided by the health and safety needs of our Staff, Patrons, and Community. During all levels, masks will be required on the Library premises until determined otherwise by the Library based on Federal, State and County health and safety guidelines.
 
Hard copies of the full plan are available in the enclosed bulletin board on the front porch of the Library.  It can also be downloaded at our website at www.rensselaervillelibrary.org.  Any questions should be directed to Heidi Carle, Library Director, by email at [email protected].

UPDATED APRIL 18, 2020

The extension of the Governor's PAUSE order means that all libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System - ours included - have extended their closure dates until further notice.  As these extensions occur, the library system continues to extend due dates until libraries can open again. 

In the meantime, library staff are checking the drop-off box regularly if you would like to drop off your borrowed items.

All updated information will be posted in the library newsletter and on Facebook as it becomes available.

UPDATED MARCH 24, 2020

While remaining hopeful that this isn’t a long-term situation, we have decided, after careful consideration, to extend our closures beyond the originally stated date of March 31. As of now, Rensselaerville Library will be closed until further notice to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  Due to the rapidly-changing nature of this public health crisis, the Library feels it is best to keep our reopening date open-ended, rather than share hypothetical dates that, by necessity, might need to shift. Also, all programs previously scheduled for April have been cancelled. We hope you understand and we will update you as soon as possible.
 
Recognizing the impact that extended closures will have on you, all materials borrowed from our library and through the Upper Hudson Library System will now be due on or after May 1, 2020.  Staff will continue to check the drop-off box if you would like to return items sooner. 
 
We encourage all of you to explore the online resources that are available to you 24/7 throughout the year.  You can follow the links provided on our website at www.rensselaervillelibrary.org or go directly to the Upper Hudson Library System's Resources for Library Users During COVID-19 Outbreak by clicking the button below. 
 
We miss all of you and look forward to the time we can open our doors to you once more.  Keep in touch! Sign up here for our newsletter.  “Like” us on Facebook for further updates and additional resources.  Email us at [email protected].  We’d love to hear from you.
Keep in touch! Sign up here for our newsletter.  “Like” us on Facebook for further updates and additional resources.  Email us at [email protected].  We’d love to hear from you.