Effective October 21, 2020, Arrowhead Library System (ALS) and its public library members will reduce material quarantine times from 96 hours to 24 hours in accordance with the latest recommendations by the Wisconsin Departments of Public Instruction and Health Services. This recommendation was made after state officials evaluated the results of the REALM Project research and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s statement on how the SARS-CoV-2 virus is most often transmitted, which is through inhaled respiratory droplets. 

Patrons browsing or borrowing materials are encouraged to wash their hands before and after use and to avoid touching their mouth, nose, or eyes after touching a library item. These preventative measures, in addition to the 24-hour material quarantine help to mitigate the risk of virus transmission through contact with a potentially contaminated item.

Any patron who is quarantining or awaiting a COVID-19 test result is asked to not return their materials until their quarantine is over or they have received a negative test. In the meantime, patrons can renew materials by phone, online through the catalog, or using the BookMyne app.

Patron and staff safety remains a priority. Arrowhead Library System continues to monitor national and local health guidelines and recommendations.

Library Shorts, the latest programming collaboration by ALS public libraries, premiered Monday, October 12, with new lessons posted daily through October 17th. These five to 10-minute videos geared toward four to ten-year-olds share a monthly theme and each tackle a different school subject.

Originally slated for a three-month run, Library Shorts will now take place monthly for the foreseeable future. Both staff and patrons have found this series enjoyable and educational.

As of 1:30 pm on October 29, the October Library Shorts videos have been viewed 108 times.

November’s them is “Community” and we’ll use mapmaking, firefighting, crafts, relay races, and more to explore this topic! Videos will be released daily at 8:00 a.m. November 9-14.

Two Ways to Watch Videos

• YouTube
• Library Shorts Blog

Join WLA for Virtual Trivia to support the WLAF! Join the Wisconsin Library Association Foundation for a fun, entertaining and educational trivia event! WLA’s 90-minute contest allows you to play solo or on up to 4-person teams! The winning team will be awarded complimentary registration to the 2021 WLA Annual Conference!