COVID-19

Updated March 3, 2022

In accordance with the City of Ashland Infectious Disease Policy and the CDC, the Vaughn Library will no longer require masks in the building.  

Updated January 25, 2022

At home tests available to order, free from the CDC.  Order information here.  

Updated August 9, 2021

Well folks, we are back to wearing masks regardless of your vaccination status. Given the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant, the City of Ashland and the VPL are requiring employees and the public to wear a mask while inside City buildings, including the Vaughn Library.  The library board of trustees will meet on Thursday August 12 to review any further policy changes.

Thank you

Updated June 11, 2021

The library board of trustees voted to rescind the pandemic policy with the following exceptions:

  • Wearing a mask is optional for those who are vaccinated
  • Masks are recommended for those who are unable to be vaccinated
  • Meeting room use is by appointment
  • Children’s play room will open Sept 7

Update May 14, 2021;

How do the new CDC mask guidelines impact the library?

The library board is committed to protecting all people who use the library, especially the most vulnerable and at risk.  The current policy of requiring masks within the Vaughn building remains in place. 

The library will continue to require masks in the building for everyone. 

Why?

  • Virus is still spreading in Ashland County, although at a low rate
  • Vaccination rate is 50%
  • We cannot check or ask to check everyone's vaccination record as it is personal info
  • Children are not vaccinated yet and they are part of the library community
  • We believe consistency in our policy is the most equitable way to keep all safe

May 14, 2021

Sarah Adams

Library Director

Update February 2, 2021;

The VPL is open for regular hours Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 & Sat 9:00 - 2:00.  Curbside service is always available. Public access computers are open for one hour sessions.  Second floor meeting rooms are open for reservations with a 24 hour break in between use.  Call 715-682-7060 or email meetings@vaughlibrary.org to schedule a room.  Please continue to wear a mask and maintain a respectful distance.  Thanks

November 22, 2020
Given the critically high COVID-19 case activity across Wisconsin and in Ashland and Bayfield Counties, the Vaughn Library is reducing open to the public hours beginning November 30 through Jan 17. This will be revisited as our community numbers improve. Curbside is always available for all VPL services.

New WALK IN hours are Monday – Saturday 9:00 AM –12:00 PM.

CURBSIDE service for materials pick-up, fax, copy/print and “ask a librarian” will be in effect Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.  

Please limit your visit to 30 minutes or less, masks always necessary. The computers are available during the open hours on a first come basis and time is limited to 30 minutes. No meeting room use at this time. Many of the library’s services can be managed through curbside. Please call ahead to talk to a librarian 715-682-7060 or email meetings@vaughnlibrary.org figure out what you need and when it will be ready, then stop by & give us a call when you’re out front.

Curbed, Not Closed! We can send a fax, make a copy, deliver a print-out from your phone/tablet. Just ask. If you like to browse but can’t make it for walk in hours, the librarians are more than happy to select books/movies/magazines/audiobooks for you. Yes! Placing holds and borrowing through our library network is still available. 

Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.


Update September 21, 2020; 
Dear Library Community     

Thank you for your ongoing support of the library and the services we provide.  Our maintenance staff has thoroughly cleaned the public and private areas of the building as well as changed air filters.  We are confident our cleaning, quarantining and health and safety measures are effective in keeping all safe as we return to "normal."  The best way to eliminate community spread is to wear a mask, keep at least six feet between you and others and wash your hands frequently.  We have curbside available during all open hours.  Please give us a call, if you would like to use this service 715-682-7060.  

Thank you!  

Library Pandemic Policy

September 15, 2020;

A library employee has tested positive for COVID-19.  The employee was in the building from Sept 8 – 10 without symptoms, but most likely positive at that time.  

The employee began self-quarantine on September 11 and will only return to work after the recommended quarantine period. 

The Wisconsin Department of Health and CDC describe exposure as within six feet for 15 minutes or more.  Because of the precautions of masks, social distancing, hand washing and continuous cleaning, the library administration is confident the public was not exposed to COVID-19. 

We are committed to the health and safety of our employees and library patrons.  The library will close until Monday September 21 to thoroughly clean and allow time for employee testing. 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the library director, Sarah Adams.

Thank you

Sarah Adams

sadams@vaughnlibrary.org

These hours will go back into effect on Monday Sept 21. The Vaughn Library is open to the public with the following adjustments to service.  Mon – Fri 9 am – 10 am open for elders and those at medical risk.  10 – 6 pm open to the public. Curbside service is available during all open hours.  Saturday open from 9 -2 for both curbside and inside service.  Please call if you have questions 715-682-7060 www.vaughnlibrary.org.  The 2nd floor meeting space & computer lab remain closed at this time. 

Masks are required for your health and your neighbor's health with the exceptions of those who have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask and kids under five years old. Thanks to a donation we have masks for you to use.  If you cannot or will not wear a mask, please use the curbside service for library materials.  Please contact the library director, Sarah Adams, if you have questions about masks.  715-685-1668.  See Governor Tony Ever's Executive Order #82 about masks in Wisconsin, effective Aug 1, 2020.  

VPL Curbside Information

Curbside Hours   Monday – Friday  9 pm to 6 pm  

Saturday 9 am to 2 pm designated spot 2

To use the curbside service please order items online, call for materials or email for materials before you come to the library. 

Contact by phone 715-682-7060, online www.vaughnlibrary.org or email meetings@vaughnlibrary.org

Park at a designated pickup spot #1 Bilbo or #2 Bill Nye then call to let a librarian know you have arrived.  Wait in your vehicle for a librarian to come out with your materials, it might be a few minutes.  Thank you!

Ways to Order Materials

  1. Type in author, title or keyword into the search bar on the vaughnlibrary.org homepage (upper right)
  2. Call the library to request materials   715-682-7060             Mon – Fri 9 – 6 pm, Sat 9 - 2 pm
  3. Email the library to request materials     meetings@vaughnlibrary.org

Returns can be made to the outside or lobby book drop only  Returns are quarantined for 72 hours. 

Due dates are extended and there will be no fines

Exercise your own judgement on whether to quarantine library items when you return home.  Please know the Vaughn Library is following CDC recommendations for sanitization and quarantine timelines

Updates will be posted here and on the VPL fb page.  

City of Ashland Public Buildings Policy May 15

What Can You Do?

Wash your hands throughly and often, stay home with a good book if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms and be social at a distance.  Remember you can access digital materials using your library card through MERLIN & LIBBY. 

What is the VPL doing?

Our goal is to keep library staff and patrons safe from communicable disease and to mitigate the occurrences of unnecessary exposure and spread of infectious disease. 

Returned items and items on hold are quarantined for four days.  No fines will be issued during the quarantine period. 

Meeting room use and programming is cancelled until further notice.  

Please practice kindness and common sense during this time of uncertainty. 

Thank you