Vernon Area Library proactively cancels public programs

Vernon Area Public Library has proactively canceled all public programs through the end of the month in response to recent public health recommendations.

The move is not due to any known exposure, but rather is intended as a preventative measure.

On Wednesday, the Lake County Health Department and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that a Lake County resident has tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This latest development, along with ongoing news of additional Illinois cases and the declaration of a global pandemic from the World Health Organization (WHO), affirmed Vernon Area Library officials' decision to step up the library's response.

Health experts including Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, have advocated 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.

All patrons registered for the affected library programming are being notified.

The library remains open to the public. Visitors will notice additional adjustments designed to minimize exposure risk to both patrons and staff. Toys in the youth area have been temporarily put away. Maintenance staff are frequently sanitizing high-touch surfaces. Seating has been moved farther apart. Homebound and senior center delivery service has been reduced or temporarily discontinued.

Visitors are encouraged to do their part. Follow the public health measures recommended by officials: Stay home if not feeling well. Wash hands frequently. Use the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the library.

Vernon Area is the first public library in Lake County to cancel programming as an early intervention in the developing health crisis. Library officials are following the proactive examples of other institutions around the nation including the Ann Arbor (Michigan) District Library, which has canceled all programs indefinitely, as well as Cleveland Public Library and San Francisco Public Library. "This is one thing that's within our control and an appropriate step to take to limit person-to-person contact," said Library Director Cindy Fuerst.

The library is a reliable source of authoritative information, no different for this topic. Those seeking the latest on Coronavirus can find links to WHO, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Johns Hopkins, and Lake County Health Department on the library's homepage, https://vapld.info, and compiled in a COVID-19 research guide at https://guides.vapld.info/coronavirus.

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