COVID-19 FAQ & Resources

Page last updated 3/15/2022

Book Sale Returns 3/5/2022

The Book Sale will return on Saturday, March 5 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

While CDC guidance has recently changed, the Library will continue current practices in order to ensure the safest environment possible for our Book Sale volunteers.  Face coverings will be required and capacity limits will be in effect for the March Book Sale.  The Library Board will be discussing current practices at their  March 7 meeting and the Friends of the Library Board will review their approach during March.

The Friends of the Library have assessed their progress on clearing the backlog of donated items and have resumed accepting donations.

The Friends intend to continue Book Sales the first Saturday of the month.  Please check the Library events calendar or call the Library for updates.

In-Person Programming Pause Continues (1/27/2022)

The Library will continue the pause on in-person programming and use of the lower level meeting space through February 13, 2022.  We will continue to monitor the public health situation and make adjustments as conditions permit.  Our current plan is to make decisions on a two-week rolling basis.

Due to the ongoing rates of COVID-19, omicron variant transmission, the Friends of the Library have canceled their February Used Book Sale.  The Friends volunteers do not feel confident being able to safely welcome the hundreds of visitors who visit the Sale on a monthly basis.  In order to protect the health of our volunteers, the Friends have opted to cancel their February Sale.  A decision regarding the March Sale will be made in late February at the Friends of the Library Board meeting.

The Library will need to place a pause on accepting donations of used books and other Library materials until the Friends of the Library Sales resume.  Because the Used Book Sales in January and February have been canceled, the storage space is currently full and the Friends are finding it difficult to sort the donations received to date.  We will resume accepting donations after Book Sales resume.  Please check back monthly for updates regarding resumption of Book Sales and donation drop off.

Standard Hours Resume (1/17/2022)

Beginning Monday, January 17 the Library will reinstate its regularly scheduled service hours of 9:00AM-9:00PM Mondays through Fridays; 9:00AM-5:00PM on Saturdays and 1:00PM-5:00PM on Sundays.

Due to the ongoing level of COVID-19 transmission in the community, the Library will continue to suspend all in-person programs and the large meeting space on the lower level will be unavailable. We will continually evaluate the health and availability of our staff members as well as the progress in slowing community transmission.

Please check our events page for the current status of all programs.  The Library continues to host some virtual events.  Some previously scheduled in-person events may be shifted to remote options or rescheduled.

Temporary Reduced Hours (1/5/22)

Due to the increase in COVID-19 transmission in the community, the Library will need to make a few temporary changes to services.  The Library has a number of staff requiring isolation while awaiting COVID-19 test results.  This has left the Library short-staffed after the holidays.

The Library building will be open for service from Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and closed on Sundays, from Thursday, January 6 through Sunday, January 16.  During this time, all in-person programming will be suspended and the large group meeting space on the lower level will be unavailable.  We will continually evaluate the health and availability of our staff members as well as the progress in slowing community transmission.  Reduced services may be extended or relaxed as public health conditions warrant.

Please check our events page for the current status of all programs.  The Library continues to host some virtual events and in-person events scheduled during this time may be shifted to remote options or rescheduled.

Library Returns to Standard Hours (9/7/2021)
As of Tuesday, September 7, the Dexter District Library has returned to its normal operating hours:
Monday through Friday – 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday – 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

This fall, the Library hopes to continue to return to a greater sense of normalcy through further restoration of services.  Our big step will be the return to in-person programming.  The planning window for events is long and began in late spring when the viral spread was low.  The Library will continue to monitor public health conditions and programs may revert to virtual, should the need arise.

For fall programs, all attendees must be registered.  Guests and walk-ins will not be admitted.  Registration will be available on an event by event basis through our web site at https://dexter.lib.mi.us/events.  Registration is a necessary precaution in order to ensure adequate social distancing.  In order to make the events as widely available as possible, the Library is working with presenters and, when possible, will record events and make them available through our web site for a limited time following the event.  For in-person programs, the Library will follow the CDC epidemic levels for Washtenaw County, found at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker.  All attendees who can medically tolerate masks, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear face coverings during programs when the epidemic spread is at Substantial or High levels.  The Library highly encourages all individuals to wear masks during indoor programs.  The Library will not be offering food or beverages during events.  Please note, programs may be switched to virtual presentations should pandemic conditions worsen.

After the Labor Day weekend, the Library will expand service hours to pre-pandemic levels.  Sunday hours will resume.  The Library will restore access to the meeting room as of October 1, if pandemic conditions permit.  Reservations will be open beginning September 7 for the October 1 through December 31 time frame.  The small group study rooms will be available beginning September 13.  Please note the meeting spaces will have limited availability.  The Library will continue to store some furniture in these spaces.  The pamphlet racks and magazine exchange will be restored and available for use.  The Library has ceased quarantine of returned materials.  Overdue fines will resume as of September 7, as will charges for photocopying and computer printouts.

Progress will depend on continued improvement in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in our area.  Additional conditions may apply for public use of smaller indoor spaces.  We appreciate your patience as we continue to cope with changing public health conditions and restore as many services as we can in a safe manner.

Library Services Update (7/26/2021)

As of Monday, July 26, the Dexter District Library will be expanding its hours once again.  The hours will be:
Monday – Thursday – 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Friday – 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Saturday – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

The Library will also be suspending curbside pickup service.  The Library has been fortunate to see many regular visitors return to the Library and take advantage of our services.  On a daily basis, 350 to 400 people enter the Library.  The increase of inside transactions and decrease in requests for curbside service make this the time for transition.  If public health conditions change in the fall, curbside service will be reinstated.

The Library has restored some furniture to the floor.  We are still trying to maintain social distancing between areas where people may sit for extended stays, but study tables and lounge spaces are available.  The Library’s computer areas are fully open as is the second floor quiet reading room, balcony and Teen Zone.

Library Building Now Open for Limited Browsing (2/15/2021)

Dexter District Library reopened the building for limited browsing beginning on Monday, February 15th.  Curbside pickup, as well as our other curbside services, remain available during operational hours.  Our indoor return bins remain unavailable and we ask that you please continue to place your returns in the outdoor drop boxes.

Additionally, we’ve expanded our operational hours on weekdays.  Our new hours are:  Weekdays 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturdays 10:00 am to 2:00pm.  Please see our handout for further information regarding our reopening.

Service Updates (2/3/2021)

At the Monday, February 1, 2021 meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Dexter District Library set a tentative date of Monday, February 15, 2021 for reopening the Library for inside browsing and computer use.  New daily COVID-19 infections in Washtenaw County continue to decline and the Library will be looking for continued, stable infection rates around the 3% mark to open and remain open for browsing.  While a number of sectors of life are reopening, this is set against the backdrop of the UK variant strain of COVID-19, a more contagious strain, appearing in Washtenaw County.  As with everything related to COVID-19, the shifting parameters have made planning difficult.  Future spikes in local viral spread may require a return to curbside services.

As with the fall opening, the Library will offer basic access to the collection and computer use.  We will be expanding the opening by one hour, opening at 10:00 am.  Library furniture will remain in storage.  Small group study rooms, lounge space and public meeting rooms will be unavailable.  Masks must be properly worn by all patrons, at all times, while visiting the Library.  Materials will continue to be returned in our outdoor bins.  Our curbside service will continue for the time being.  Following proper social distancing guidelines will help keep everyone healthy and contribute to keeping the Library open for everyone.  Please see our handout for further information regarding our reopening.

Library Returns to Curbside Service Only (11/16/20)

Due to recent State public health announcements and evolving environmental conditions, the Library will be returning to Curbside Service as the sole means to pick up materials, beginning Monday, November 16, 2020.  The Library building will remain closed to public access for the duration of the State’s three-week public health orders, through December 8, and we will reassess conditions toward the end of this period.

As with the previous closure, all our services will be provided on a remote basis.  The Library will continue to process and deliver items on hold to our pick-up table.  Laptops will be available for short-term use in our parking lot.  Printing, faxing and copying services will be available.  Our programming will continue in the virtual environment and staff will be available by phone and video call to help patrons browse the collections.

The Dexter District Library faces a unique challenge.  Since reopening, the test positivity rate for COVID-19 in the Dexter zip code has doubled.  Most neighboring libraries, including Chelsea, Hamburg, Manchester, Pinckney and Saline, have already reverted to a form of curbside or indirect contact with members of the general public.  In recent days, we have seen an increase in the number of visitors from other communities coming to the Dexter District Library to take advantage of our open building.  As a public building, the Library is not allowed to discriminate between residents and non-residents for basic building entry.  However, this travel to Dexter could exacerbate the viral spread.

We hope that everyone will remain safe and healthy and this short inconvenience will once again help control the spread of the virus.  We look forward to restoring building access as soon as possible.

Curbside Service Hours Expanded (7/13/2020)
We are happy to announce that curbside pickup hours have been expanded and are now:
Monday – Friday: 11:00am to 7:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am to 2:00pm

Library Closure FAQ (updated 6/15/2020)

  • We are happy to report the Library continues to be on track to resume services, beginning Monday, June 15.  We our completing our staff safety training and are getting caught up with the backlog caused by the rapid COVID-19 shutdown in March.The Library’s outside materials return boxes are open on an ongoing basis.  There is no rush to return materials.  Returns will be placed in quarantine for over 72 hours and we will continue to waive all overdue fines.  Return boxes will be open continuously.  If you have returned materials and the items still appear on your account, please wait four to five days before contacting us.  The materials will be checked in after quarantine is complete.We look forward to resuming our curbside pickup of materials on Monday, June 15.  Pickup will be available between 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19.  Materials on hold from before the shutdown will be available for pickup through June 23.  New requests will be processed on an ongoing basis.  We will have some catching up to do in this area as well.  Currently, there are around 700 items we will need to locate and pull for patrons.As we move forward, using the Library’s catalog to request items will be the most efficient way to get exactly what you want.  The Library also has a curbside request form, located at https://dexter.lib.mi.us/curbside  This form will allow you to request both specific and general items, which will be pulled and processed by staff.  When items are ready for pick up, patrons will be notified by either text message or e-mail.  The curbside form will be available on our web site beginning Monday, June 15 at 11:00 am.During our curbside hours, we ask that individuals call the Library when you arrive in our parking lot.  At that time, a staff member will get your account information, retrieve your items from our hold shelf and check them out to your card.  The Library will have our small, blue tent shelter set up at the edge of the parking lot.  Staff will bring your items to a drop off table.  We ask everyone to observe appropriate social distancing measures during the transfer.  Once you pick up your items from the table, you can be on your way.Full access to all shared catalog member library holdings will continue to expand on a rolling basis.  Because we have 50 libraries in the shared catalog, many will be restoring their services on various schedules.  Each library will have the discretion of when to restore interlibrary loan service to the rest of the membership.  When placing a hold for an item Dexter does not own, but shows as available at another library, you may get the message that the hold cannot be placed.  This just means any copies reside at libraries which have not fully restored interlibrary loan.  Please make a note of the title and try again after a week or so.We look forward to seeing everyone in the near future.  Be well.
  • In a surprise announcement, Governor Whitmer relaxed many of the business restrictions that had been in place since the start of the pandemic in Michigan.  The staff of the Library appreciate your patience during this difficult time and we look forward to resuming service. The majority of staff have not been allowed in the library since mid-March.  We will take some time to prepare our staff to resume providing services and clear the backlogged work.  Staff training for distancing in the work environment, cleaning, new workflow patterns and handling materials is required by State Executive Order.Beginning Monday, June 8 our parking lot drop boxes will be unlocked to accept returned materials.  Returned materials will be quarantined for a period of three days.  No fines will be assessed while we continue to quarantine materials.Our curbside service will resume Monday, June 15.  For the week of June 15, the Library will provide curbside service between 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  We will close on Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21 and assess how the week went.  Adjustments to service hours will follow.As with everything related to the pandemic, dates may be subject to change based on State-level directives.  We will continue to monitor public health conditions and make adjustments, including reopening the building for access, as conditions improve.  Our Pandemic Response Plan can be found on our web site at https://dexter.lib.mi.us/about/library-policies/.  We have missed seeing all our patrons and hope you have remained healthy and well during this time.  We look forward to serving you soon.
  • Just ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, Governor Whitmer issued a new Executive Order (EO 2020-96) which extended statewide ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ orders through June 12.  In issuing this order ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, the Governor did relax some restrictions on areas in northern Michigan and for certain types of businesses.  However, the order continues prohibitions on providing all but critical, government in-person services (Section VII.)  This even applies to areas of the State which have seen relaxation of commerce.  Unfortunately, the order precludes the Library for providing any direct, in-person services.  According to the State’s MI Safe Start Plan, Michigan has been divided into eight regions, which will be monitored for COVID-19 progression.  Washtenaw County falls into Region 1, along with the counties of Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Saint Clair and Wayne counties.  Due to the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in Wayne County, it is expected that our region will see restrictions on movement and service continue to be tighter than other regions of the State.  The Library continues to prepare a reopening plan to ensure that when restrictions are lifted, we will be able to resume lending materials in a manner that is safe for both our staff and the general public.
  • On May 7, 2020, Governor Whitmer extended the statewide “Stay Home” order by issuing Executive Order 2020-77.  This order continues closure of public libraries through May 28 and provides more consistency with previous Executive Orders (see below.)  With the current order, the Library is not allowed to bring staff back into the Library to prepare to restore services.  As we move forward through this crisis, we continue to monitor our options.  The Library’s drop boxes remain closed and we still cannot accept donations of materials.  We continue to work with the staff at our library cooperative (The Library Network) to adjust due dates for items previously borrowed as well as extend borrower card expiration dates.   Rest assured, no fines will accrue for the duration of this crisis.  The Library will follow the State’s MI Safe Start Plan and restore some form of in-person services when possible.  We continue to expand our digital services and have increased borrowing limits for our hoopla and Kanopy services.  If you do not have a Dexter District Library borrower’s card, our online application process is quick, easy and can get you started borrowing materials while sheltering.  On behalf of the staff and Board, we hope you and your family remain healthy and well.
  • On April 24, Governor Whitmer extended the ‘Stay Home’ order with Executive Order 2020-59, which allowed some restoration of business activities.  While there was a curbside service caveat for some businesses, the order was reviewed by the Library’s attorney along with the Library of Michigan legal staff.  Their interpretation of the order was that Section 6, outlining limitations on governmental activities, precluded resumption of any in-person service by public libraries to the general public.  This requires our current posture of being closed to the public and relying on digital services to continue through May 15.  We continue to prepare for the time when we can resume services.  While we do not know for certain what form that will take, the Library is developing several scenarios to adapt to environmental conditions and provide a safe experience for the public as well as safe working conditions for our staff.  Please continue to monitor our website for new information as it becomes available.
  • If you returned any Library items between Friday, 3/13/2020 and early Wednesday AM, 3/18/2020 – those items have been placed in a quarantine and will continue to show on your account until they’ve been checked back in.
    • These same items may be showing as overdue, lost or as fines on your account.  You will not be fined for any items returned during this period.  All of the fines will be erased when the items get checked in.
  • Our outdoor return boxes are now locked.  Please keep all materials at home for the time being.  No overdue fines will be assessed during this period.
  • All library cards that had recently expired or were going to expire soon have had expiration dates extended.
  • Don’t have a library card?  Click here to apply for one.
    • Online registration is only available to residents of the Dexter School District.  If you reside outside our service area, please check with your home library about getting a card.
  • The Wi-Fi signal at the Library is available 24/7.  Most devices get a strong signal in our parking lot and (when the weather is nice) for the benches along Alpine Street as well as the terrace area in Mill Creek Park North.

COVID-19 Health & Informational Resources

University of Michigan’s COVID-19 Information Page
http://careguides.med.umich.edu/coronavirus

Non-partisan news and information resource with Michigan focused information, including COVID-19 impact articles
https://www.bridgemi.com

Dexter Wellness Center page on Group Exercises
https://www.dexterwellness.org/services/group-exercise/

Directory of Online Tools that have been made available for free
https://dexter.lib.mi.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19-Partner-Content.pdf

Washtenaw County’s Health Department page on COVID-19
https://www.washtenaw.org/3095/COVID-19

State of Michigan’s Page on COVID-19
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/coronavirus

U.S. Senator Gary Peters
https://www.peters.senate.gov/coronavirus

U.S. Representative Tim Walberg
https://walberg.house.gov/coronavirus

CDC Covid site
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

MDHHS Interim Recommendations for COVID-19 Community Mitigation Strategies
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/MDHHS_Interim_Recommendations_for_COVID-19_final_683589_7.pdf

Preventative measures recommended by the Washtenaw County Health Department include:

  • Clean your hands often
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. Call ahead before going to your healthcare provider. Learn what to do if you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Immediately wash your hands. Cough into your elbow.
  • Clean and disinfect
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks and cell phones/handheld devices.
    • If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
    • A list of disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease) is available from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This list includes many commonly used products.
  • Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
    • If you are sick:  You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
    • If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

 

From State Representative Donna Lasinski (DonnaLasinski@house.mi.gov.):

  • COVID-19 Michigan Statistics

    As the number of CoOVID-19 cases in the state continue to grow, we have not yet reached the “apex” or peak of infections. This disease does not respect physical lines of county, city or state.

    At this time, Michigan ranks 3rd in the nation for the highest number of cases. This is a rise from 5th most infections the nation.

    State Total Confirmed Cases: 32,967

    State Total Deaths: 2,700

    Washtenaw County Total Confirmed Cases: 900

    Washtenaw County Total Deaths: 38

  • Legislative Updates

    On April 14, Governor Whitmer announced the four criteria that our state must meet to reopen safely and ensure that we do not have a second wave of COVID-19. The criteria are:

    • A sustained reduction in infection rate
    • Enhanced ability to test and tracing of infected people’s contacts with others
    • Sufficient healthcare capacity to handle a potential resurgence in patients
    • Best practices in the workplace

    These criteria are based on the advice of medical experts and the experiences of other hot spot states.

    On April 16, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and a bipartisan group of Midwest Governors from Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky announced that they are coordinating state policies on how safely reopen our states together.

  • Unemployment Benefits

    Starting Monday April 20th, all self-employed, sole-proprietor, low-wage, 1099-independent contractors and gig workers will be able to apply for the federal unemployment benefits.

    If you have yet to apply, please visit here to watch informational videos on how to apply or access your federal benefits application.

    Visit here for the MiWAM toolkit to help you navigate the MiWAM website and properly set up your account.

    If you have questions as you apply, or are unsure of what you will need to apply visit here for the UIA’s Unemployment Benefits FAQ.

    For more information or to apply for unemployment benefits, visit Michigan.gov/UIA or call (866) 500-0017.

  • Federal Stimulus

    If you are concerned that your federal stimulus check has not been deposited into your bank account, or you have not received it by mail, here are some resources for information and how to check on the status of your stimulus check.

    Do not worry if you have yet to receive your stimulus check as these deposits will continue to be rolled out in waves.

    The IRS launched the “Get My Payment” application. This will allow you to update your direct deposit information if you did not use a direct deposit for your 2018 tax return, or that information was entered incorrectly, and you received a paper check refund. The portal also allows you to update your banking information if necessary. Visit here for more info.

    If you filed your 2018 taxes and utilized direct deposit, further actions are needed at this time. But if you have specific questions regarding your individual circumstances, the IRS has developed a website to provide clarity on the many different situations you and others may be facing. Visit: here and here.

    If you filed your 2018 or 2019 taxes, or are a Social Security recipient, no further action is required if the IRS has your direct deposit information.

    If you are not a Social Security recipient, and you did not file, you can register for your payment here.

  • Local Support

    Faith in Action is still proudly serving the families of Western Washtenaw County. If you need food assistance, or you know someone who might need help, Faith in Action is still operating and delivering food.

    They can be contacted by calling (734) 475-3305.

    Their hours of operation are:

    M/W: 11am-7pm Tu/Th: 9am-4pm Friday: closed

  • Public Assistance

    There has been some concern that the federal stimulus checks and federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) might affect your eligibility for food assistance programs under SNAP.

    The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that the federal stimulus payments will NOT affect your eligibility for food assistance.

    Your stimulus checks will NOT reduce the amount of public assistance that you receive.

    Your PUA and federal stimulus checks will not affect the amount you receive for any of these programs.

    • Food Assistance Program benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
    • Cash assistance under the Family Independence Program or Refugee Cash Assistance program.
    • Healthcare coverage, including Medicaid, Healthy Michigan Plan and MIChild.
    • State Emergency Relief.
    • Child Development and Care (childcare reimbursement). Women, Infant and Children (WIC).

    For more information, visit here.

    To apply for public assistance benefits, visit here.

  • Mental Health

    This is an extremely difficult time for those with mental health issues. They may not able to see their doctors face-to-face, feelings of isolation and loneliness, or not being able to see loved may exacerbate conditions.

    If you need someone to talk to, the state has launched a statewide, peer-run warmline for Michiganders living with persistent mental health conditions during this pandemic.

    The warmline will operate seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. at 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753).

    It is intended to serve individuals living with persistent mental health challenges including anxiety, depression and trauma.

Meals for School Age Children:

Ann Arbor Public Schools

Breakfast and lunch packages are available for pickup from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. If you can’t make the pick-ups or have food allergy concerns, call the AAPS Food Service Hotline at 734-994-2265. For more information, including pickup locations, visit here.

Chelsea School District

Food Service is providing sack breakfast and lunch meals for students from 10 a.m. to noon at the Chelsea High School commons entrance. If you do not have transportation, contact the district at 734-433-2208 ext. 6082 to discuss alternative plans.

 Dexter Community Schools

Drive-up pickup will be in the Mill Creek Parking Lot from 8:00-9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. Families can pick up on both Tuesdays and Fridays each week. For families who cannot come in to pick up food or have special dietary needs, we have established a hotline number to call 734-424-4186.

 Manchester Community Schools

For Manchester Schools food distribution services, please visit their website and fill out the school closure meals form.

Visit michigan.gov.meetupeatup for all of the school locations providing meals. These meals are available to all children ages 0-18 at no cost.

Employee Rights

Governor Whitmer acted to protect workers from retaliation by their employers, if they stay home because one of their close contacts has tested positive for COVID-19: Click here for post and further information.

The Attorney General’s office has created a website to help you “know your rights” as an employee if you are still required to work during this time. Click here

Tuesday Town Halls

Out of an abundance of caution, all previously scheduled coffee hours and in-district meetings are cancelled. State Representative Donna Lasinski will instead be hosting Facebook Live Town Halls.

When: Every Tuesday night at 7pm

Where: My State Representative Donna Lasinski Facebook

Donna Lasinski will be recapping events and news that happened throughout the week, and answering all of your questions. To join, visit her Facebook page on Tuesday nights at 7pm for this live video. Click on the video to join.

Tax Preparation Resource

United Way of Washtenaw County Free Tax Preparation Help

As the new year begins, we also need to start preparing to file our 2019 taxes. The United Way of Washtenaw County offers free tax preparation help to those who are eligible. To see if you are eligible for their tax preparation help, please visit the website below. If you are eligible, you can schedule your appointment online or call the phone number below.

Please note that they will only be able to help with the 2019 tax filing year. Prior years will be on hold until spring 2020 (after this tax season).

Website

Phone: (734) 677-7235

Initial Closure Message from the Director –  Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Completely closing the Library was the most difficult decision I have had to make in 25 years at the Dexter District Library.  We tried a variety of options internally to keep our staff safe and ensure continuity of traditional Library service.  Unfortunately, general environmental conditions continue to change rapidly and our focus has shifted to one that puts the health and welfare of the whole community first.

While we took significant steps to quarantine and sanitize materials, the rapid and continuing spread of COVID-19 requires all of us to step back and reprioritize.  We hope that this effort will help slow any spread in the greater Dexter community and that our efforts today will help our medical care facilities better cope with any potential demand.

Additionally, a high percentage of our Library staff fall into high risk categories for contracting the virus.  We want to ensure that our staff is healthy and available to service the community, once this crisis passes.

We are asking that our patrons keep all materials currently on loan at home for the time being.  No fines will be assessed during this period.  Think about setting aside a small table or a corner of a counter to keep all your Library materials together.  The Library will make an announcement when we can begin receiving returns.

Our web page at https://dexter.lib.mi.us/digital-collections/ provides access to a wide variety of content which can be borrowed at any time, day or night and the wi-fi signal at the Library will be active 24/7.  Most devices get a strong signal in our parking lot and (when the weather is nice) for the benches along Alpine Street as well as the terrace area in Mill Creek Park North.

We continue to encourage patrons to place holds on items through our online catalog.  When services resume, these requests will be in place and staff will be able to process them when we reopen.

We are very sorry for the inconvenience.  We will continue to look for inventive ways to fill the absence of our regular programs and services.  Please check our web site frequently for updates and follow up on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DexterDistrictLibrary/ or Twitter @DexterLibrary.

Paul McCann, Library Director