Dear Members, 
Happy New Year! I am hopeful that we can soon put the pandemic behind us and return to a sense of normalcy by the time we can plant our gardens and flowers and watch baseball in Cleveland. Now that the holidays are over, and vaccines are being distributed, we are reopening the Cleveland Law Library to patrons effective on February 1, 2021. Our theme for this year will be ‘One Day at a Time.’
Once we reopen, you are welcome to visit us Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. We are also always available for virtual reference and research service from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. every weekday.
In addition to following all of the safety protocols that we implemented last year, we are enhancing our procedures so that you can resume utilizing all of your full Law Library privileges on-site again. We will continue to practice social distancing, sanitize all computers, desks, chairs, and conference rooms in between uses, and regularly disinfect all common surfaces every day. We also have the County to thank for automating both of our restrooms. In addition to wearing masks at all times, our staff will add protective shields when we provide you with direct assistance and employ a combination of remote desktop applications and laser pointers to help you conduct online research. We also request that you ring our new bell when you arrive at the Front Desk so that we can sign you in and provide you with entry and assistance.
If you have not been to the Law Library in a while, you will also notice that we installed plexiglass partitions at our front desk, created space between our patron computers, purchased keyboard and mouse covers,, and reduced seating in the Main Reading Room. We are also still quarantining our books for at least 72 hours before they can be returned to the shelves or circulated to a new patron, and we are continuing to offer curbside pick-up and drop-off of books. Just call ahead to arrange a mutually convenient time with our staff.
If you were wondering, the County is also still screening everyone who enters the building with temperature checks, a series of questions, and wristbands, but even some of these functions will become more automated very soon. Face coverings are also still required at all times, and there is a great deal of directional and health care signage throughout the building. Finally, all three of the Courts maintain concierge desks in the Rotunda, and their staff may want to check you in before you take an elevator to visit us on the 4th floor.
Welcome back, and we look forward to providing you with service again in person.
Kathy Dugan