Notices

The public can once again use computers at all Harrison County Public Library branches, but people must make an appointment in advance.  Appointments will begin Monday, June 1.

“People may register for one 60-minute session by calling their library branch,” said Alisa Burch library director.  “At this time no extensions will be allowed unless by prior arrangement.  We are taking precautions to ensure the safety of the public and our staff.”  

Precautions include:

• Only one person per time slot/computer (unless patron brings someone to assist them on the computer)
• Only adults age 18 or older will be allowed in the building.
• No headphones will be provided.  Patron may bring their own if needed.
• Access to the building will be limited to the assigned computer.  No browsing or restroom facilities will be available.
• Computer users must wear a mask or face covering.
• All people in the library are required to observe social distancing of at least six feet.

The library is also offering genealogy services by appointment at the Frederick Porter Griffin Center.  Those wishing to do research should call the FPGC at 812-738-5412.  In addition to the safety precautions already noted these additional procedures will be observed.

• Those making appointments will be asked, “What is your research focus” so staff may gather information in advance and to guarantee the documents needed are not in quarantine.  

• Staff will pull ALL materials for patron.
• Only one researcher will be allowed in the building at a time (one helper will also be allowed)
• Researchers will be asked to stand behind sneeze guards at the information desk when seeking assistance or copies.
• Researchers must wear a mask or face covering in the library building.
• No restroom facilities will be available.

“Do not enter any library facility if you are feeling sick or if any member of your household is sick,” added Burch.  “We ask anyone, staff or public, to do this two question self-assessment:

1. Do I feel like I have a fever? (if in doubt take your temperature)
2. Do I have a persistent cough not related to an allergy or other known condition?

If you answer yes to either question, do not enter the library,” continued Burch.  ”Cancel your appointment and reschedule after you and other members in your household are well.”

The library will continue to offer curbside pickup of books, magazines and DVDs and curbside document services.  Plans are underway to offer public access to all library buildings beginning June 15.

Hours for computer and genealogy services and curbside pickup and document services are:

Main Branch – 105 N. Capitol Ave., Corydon – 812-738-4110
Monday-Thursday 10 am – 7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday 10 am – 4:30 pm 

Palmyra Branch – 689 Haub St, Palmyra – 812-364-6425
Monday-Thursday 11 am – 7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday 9 am -4:30 pm 

Lanesville Branch – 7340 E. Pennington St., Lanesville- 812-952-3759
Monday-Thursday 12 -7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday 9 am -4:30 pm 

Elizabeth Branch – 5101 S. Main St, Suite 109, Elizabeth – 812-969-2899
Monday & Thursday 1-6:30 pm
Tuesday & Wednesday 1-7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday 10:30 am -3:30 pm

Frederick Porter Griffin Center – 117 West Beaver St., Corydon – 812-738-5412
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm

Need to send or receive a fax?  Have to make copies?  Does an application require you to scan or print something?  The Harrison County Public Library can help you.  Beginning Monday, May 18, the library will offer curbside document services in addition to curbside pickup of books, magazines and DVDs.

The process is simple and contact free.  Just call the library, send a Facebook message or email any library branch to ask about document services.  If you have a document you wish to copy, fax, scan or print from a flash drive simply:

1. Bring your document to the library parking lot.
2. Call the library when you are parked in the lot.
3. Take the 2 gallon Ziploc bag from the plastic basket near the library book drop (or at the Palmyra Branch next to the side door).
4. Complete the form in the bag with the enclosed pencil or your own pen.
5. Place your document in the bag along with any needed payment and close the bag.
6. Drop the bag with the enclosed document, completed form and payment in the library book drop and call the library from your car to let the staff know the document has been deposited. (If at Palmyra, return your bag to the plastic basket, and then call the library.)
7. Stay in your car while you document is copied, faxed, scanned or printed.
8. Library staff wearing mask and gloves will return the Ziploc with your documents, any copies and receipt to your car and place it in your popped trunk, empty passenger seat or on your car hood.

If you need to print a document that is not saved to a flash drive, there are some options:

1. You may email the print job as an attachment to the library @ hcpl.lib.in.us.
2. You may use the ePrintit app or click here to send your wireless print jobs through the library website.
3. If you do not have a computer but know the website location of the document you need printed, you may call the library and ask for assistance.

Library staff will call you when your print job is ready for pickup.  You will be told the cost of the print job.  To pay when you arrive at the library parking lot, retrieve a Ziploc bag from the plastic basket near the book drop (at Palmyra Branch near the side door).  Complete the form and place it and your payment in the book drop. (Or back in the plastic basket at Palmyra).  Call the library from your car.  Your documents and receipt will be brought out and placed in your popped trunk, empty passenger seat or on your car hood.

Hours for curbside service are:

Main Branch – 105 N. Capitol Ave., Corydon – 812-738-4110

Monday-Thursday 10 am – 7:30 pm Friday & Saturday 10 am -4:30 pm

Palmyra Branch – 689 Haub St, Palmyra – 812-364-6425

Monday-Thursday 11 am – 7:30 pm Friday & Saturday 9 am -4:30 pm

Lanesville Branch – 7340 E. Pennington St, Lanesville – 812-952-3759

Monday-Thursday 12-7:30 pm Friday & Saturday 9 am-4:30 pm

Elizabeth Branch – 5101 S. Main St., Suite 109, Elizabeth – 812-969-2899

Monday & Thursday 1-6:30 pm Tuesday & Wednesday 1-7:30 pm

Friday & Saturday 10:30-3:30 pm

For more information please call 812-738-4110 or send an email to hcpl@hcpl.lib.in.us.

 

The Harrison County Public Library is committed to serving its patrons and the community in a manner ensuring safety and health.  While there is nothing we’d love more than welcoming you back inside the library, time is needed to put precautions in place to continue to limit the spread of COVID-19.  

With safety as the number one priority the library will reopen in phases.  HCPL continues service while physical facilities are closed to the public through the library website with access to eResources, eBooks, downloadable audio, virtual programming and free Wi-Fi available in each location’s parking lots.

With the support of the Harrison County Health Department and the county commissioners, on May 4, the library began offering contact free curbside pickup of books and DVDs while protecting staff and the community. 

Plans are currently underway to deliver contact free document services such as faxing, copying, printing and scanning. Offering computer service by appointment is being considered.

HCPL will continue to determine what reopening will look like.  In the coming months library service will not look exactly like it did before.  Thank you for your continued patience and support.

 

Employee Self-Assessment

Each morning before coming to work you should do this two question self-assessment:

1. Do I feel like I have a fever?  (if in doubt take your temperature)
2. Do I have a persistent cough not related to an allergy or other known condition?

If you answer yes to either question, 

• • call your supervisor and let them know you will not be in.
  • contact your medical professional to find out if you need testing.

Temperature Log

During this period of uncertainty, it would be a good idea to keep a temperature log.  The log will establish an initial baseline.  Set a time in the morning and evening to take your temperature and record it.  Other factors besides illness can cause a change in temperature such as hormones, exposure to heat or cold or exercise.  However, if you are feeling ill and you have a jump in your temperature log that would be an indication you should remain at home and consult your medical professional as noted above.

Illness with a Fever

If you experience an illness with a fever and a cough, you are urged to consult your medical professional and get a COVID test.

Remember

DO NOT ENTER ANY LIBRARY FACILITY if you are feeling sick or if any member of your household is sick.

Do not report to work if you have any of these symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat or headache not related to allergies, shortness of breath, chills or a new loss of sense of taste.

 

Cleaning/Disinfecting Protocols 

• All returned library materials are cleaned, disinfected and quarantined for 24 hours prior to being shelved.
• Children’s play materials will be unavailable or limited.

• Staff are asked to clean and disinfect their work area on arrival and departure.
• Library janitorial staff have stepped up cleaning procedures and protocols. 
• If a staff member becomes ill with a confirmed case of COVID-19, that branch will be closed for 24 hours and then disinfected by janitorial staff before reopening.  

 

Hygiene Measures

• When handling incoming library materials staff will wear gloves.
• Staff are reminded not to touch their face even when wearing gloves.
• All staff have been trained in the proper procedure to remove and dispose of gloves.
• Staff will be asked to wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.  When hand washing is not possible they will be asked to use hand sanitizer.  Posters promoting hand washing are posted in all restrooms.
• Staff are asked to observe proper sneeze and cough etiquette.  Tissues and trash cans are provided.  Signs explaining proper sneeze and cough etiquette will be posted throughout the library.
• Staff will wear gloves and masks to deliver materials to cars.
• Books will be placed in open trunks, empty passenger seats or on car hoods.
• Each bag of books will include a flier reminding patrons to observe hand hygiene stating that although library materials have been cleaned and quarantined readers should wash their hands before and after handling library materials, avoid touching their mouth and face and refrain from eating while using library materials.

 

Social Distancing

• When in the building both staff and members of the public will be required to observe social distance of at least six feet. 
• When entering common areas such as hallways and stairways staff will wear masks.
• Staff break rooms will be limited to one person at a time.
• Staff are asked not to congregate in parking lot, break rooms or lobbies.
• Materials must be returned in book drops and not handed to staff members.
• Patrons will be asked to remain in their cars during curbside service.
• Plexiglass barriers and clear liners may be put in place to protect staff and the public.
• Distancing markers may be placed on the floor in front of service desks to indicate where patrons may safely wait for assistance.

Stay at home orders, social distancing, and PPE — who had heard of these terms three months ago?  Now they are dominating the collective existence.  Help the library preserve the thoughts, feelings and experiences of the Harrison County community during this unprecedented, global pandemic by sharing your story.

Writing is a great way to process what you’re feeling.  The Harrison County Public Library invites you to express yourself by responding to weekly writing prompts and submitting your work from this page. Each week six writing prompts will be posted on the library’s Facebook page and website. You may choose to write from any or all prompts that inspire you and include artwork.  Your submissions will be archived and included in a time capsule, forever immortalizing this moment in our collective history.  

Elementary students from around Harrison County are being asked to complete a booklet, My 2020 Harrison County Covid-19 Booklet, and return it to one of the library branches to create a book for HCPL’s Frederick Porter Griffin Center for Local History and Genealogy and to also be placed in the time capsule.  The booklet can be downloaded here or parents can ask for a printed version at any library location during curbside pickup.

Call the library at 812-738-4110 for more information.

Prompts for the week of May 4:

Kids:

• How has learning at home been going? Do you like it? Is it easier or harder than at school? Do you think you are learning as much?
•  What makes you the happiest?

Teens:

• What extracurricular activity have you missed the most? Sports? (One in which you participated or enjoyed watching) Band? Drama? Clubs?
• What is your favorite song? Why?

Adults:

• How has the stay-at-home order impacted your life? Describe your current daily routine. How has it changed?
• What is your favorite book? Why?

The Harrison County Public Library will offer contact free curbside pickup of books and DVDs beginning Monday, May 4.

“The Harrison County Health Department has approved our plan to keep the public and our staff safe,” said Alisa Burch, library director.  “We have heard from many in our community how much they miss the library and we are very pleased to get the okay to go ahead with curbside service.”

Here is how it works:

• Patrons may place items they want on hold by using the online card catalog or by calling their local library branch.
• The library will call patrons when items are ready to pick up.
• Patrons are asked to call the library when they park in the library lot.  
• Staff will place the items in the car trunk, empty passenger seat or on the car hood.

“For your safety and the safety of the library staff, we ask you to please remain in the car while your materials are delivered,” explained Burch.  “Our staff will be wearing gloves and masks to be as safe as possible.”

Any items to be returned should be placed in the library book drop before calling the library to pick up holds.  All returned library materials are cleaned, disinfected and quarantined prior to being shelved.

“We are working to make other library services available as safety allows,” added Burch.  “Look for updates on our website and our Facebook page.

Curbside Service Hours by Location

Main Branch – 105 N. Capitol Ave., Corydon – 812-738-4110

Monday-Thursday 10 am – 7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday 10 am – 4:30 pm

Palmyra Branch – 689 Haub St, Palmyra – 812-364-6425

Monday-Thursday 11 am – 7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday 9 am – 4:30 pm

Lanesville Branch – 7340 E. Pennington St., Lanesville- 812-952-3759

Monday-Thursday 12 – 7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday 9 am – 4:30 pm

Elizabeth Branch – 5101 S. Main St, Suite 109, Elizabeth – 812-969-2899

Monday & Thursday 1-6:30 pm
Tuesday & Wednesday 1-7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday 10:30 am – 3:30 pm

The primary election in Indiana will now be held on June 2. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Indiana encourages you to vote by absentee ballot.

Hoosiers can now file an application for absentee ballot for the June 2 primary online though http://Indianavoters.com .

Use the “vote by mail or traveling board” button. Click on  visit my voter portal, go to absentee voting/vote by mail on the left side.  This is a direct application – and once completed, your ballot will be sent to you.  It saves the step of printing, completing and mailing in the absentee ballot request.

Please click here to access a printable application for an absentee ballot.

Mail your completed application (if you are printing and mailing your absentee ballot) to:
Harrison County Circuit Clerk Court
Courthouse, Room 203
300 North Capitol Avenue
Corydon, IN 47112-1155

Once the application is received, you will receive your ballot by mail with a prepaid envelope. Absentee ballot application requests are due by May 21. To request an absentee ballot application by phone, please call 812-738-4289.

At this time, Indiana still plans for in-person voting on June 2.

There is no doubt we are living in uncertain times.  The Harrison County Public Library wants you to know that no matter what, we are here for you.  That is for certain. While we are all doing our best to flatten the curve by staying and working from home, please know that your library staff are staying connected and working to find new ways to bring you needed information and resources.

As much as HCPL would like to reopen, the health of our community is most important to us. We are working with key leaders to determine the date when it will be safe to reopen. Until then we are always open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.hcpl.lib.in.us with access to eBooks, eMagazines, downloadable audiobooks and other eResources. 

Click here to find up-to-date, reliable COVID-19 information on the library public safety page.

HCPL staff continue to work creating virtual programs from home.  New content is being posted to our Brain Booster Resource page and program videos for adults have been added.

Library Wi-Fi remains on at all library locations and can be accessed outside the buildings and in the back parking lot at the Main Branch in Corydon.

Material due dates are extended until after May 11.  No library materials will be due during the March 17- May 3 closure.

To ensure library patrons have access to library eResources library card privileges have been renewed for all library cards that would have expired January 1 through June 30, 2020.  The new card expiration is now December 30, 2020. Harrison County residents who do not currently have a library card can access library eResources by applying for a Digital Access Card for eResources, or by applying for a Digital Access Card for eBooks, eMagazines and audio books.

During the closure staff will monitor the website’s Ask a Librarian and Contact Us features and return telephone messages.  Please check the library website, or Facebook page for up-to-date information. 

With the extension of Governor Eric Holcomb’s “stay at home” order for Hoosiers to slow the spread of COVID-19, Harrison County Public Library facilities will remain closed through Tuesday, April 21.

HCPL is always open 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the HCPL webpage with access to eBooks, eMagazines, downloadable audiobooks and other eResources. Find up-to-date, reliable COVID-19 information on the library public safety page.  A variety of original library content for youth as well as other awesome youth related services can be found on the Brain Booster Resource page.

To ensure library patrons have access to library eResources library card privileges have been renewed for all library cards that would have expired January 1 through June 30, 2020.  The new card expiration is now December 30, 2020.  Harrison County residents who do not currently have a library card can access library eResources by applying for a Digital Access Card at the bottom of the Library eResources page.

Material due dates have been extended until after May 3.  No library materials will be due during the March 17- April 21 closure.

Library Wi-Fi remains on at all library locations and can be accessed outside the buildings and in the back parking lot at the Main Branch in Corydon.

During the closure staff will monitor the website’s Ask a Librarian and Contact Us features.  Please click here to visit the library’s Public Safety page for up-to-date information from the library, or  visit the Harrison County Public Library’s Facebook page.

Please stay home and stay well.

In light of Governor Eric Holcomb’s “stay at home” order for Hoosiers to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Harrison County Public Library will remain closed through Tuesday, April 7.

As always, HCPL offers access to eBooks, eMagazines, downloadable audiobooks and other eResources, 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the HCPL eResources page.  New pages have been added to the library website.  One page provides reliable public safety information about COVID-19 and another, the Brain Booster Resource page,  offers links to Storyline Online, Scholastic Learn at Home and Tumblebooks.

To ensure library patrons have access to library eResources library card privileges have been renewed for all library cards that would have expired January 1 through June 30, 2020.  The new card expiration is now December 30, 2020.  Harrison County residents who do not currently have a library card can access library eResources by applying for a Digital Access Card at the bottom of the Library eResources page.

Material due dates have been extended until after April 8.  No library materials will be due during the March 17- April 7 closure

Library Wi-Fi remains on at all library locations and can be accessed outside the buildings.

During the closure staff will monitor the website’s Ask a Librarian  and Contact Us features.  Please check the library website or Facebook page  for up-to-date information.