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Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County branches to see upgrades

STEUBENVILLE — All seven branches of the Public Library of Steubenville & Jefferson County will see improvements paid for by $175,000 in CARES Act funds, Director Mike Gray said.

Gray said the money is “vitally important” to the library system. It can only be used to assist with expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting increased sanitation costs, maintaining social distancing, purchasing personal protection equipment “and other necessary costs to comply with public health orders, local health department recommendations, and best practices.”

Jefferson County’s funding was part of the $18.3 million in federal coronavirus relief funding earmarked for Ohio’s libraries.

The library will spend the money on touchless service for entrance and restroom doors, to extend wireless range, e-books, and PPE supplies, Gray said.

“We’re also looking at some bigger things, machines that will help us sanitize books quicker so they don’t have to be left in quarantine so long,” he added. “We’re even looking at a locker system, outside our Schiappa branch. (Patrons) would use a touch screen to put their card in, the door would open and their items would be in there, so you could come at 3 a.m. and get your items.”

Since reopening in July, the county-wide library system has followed state and local mandates and taken precautionary measures including the purchase of Plexiglas barriers, face masks, sanitizing buildings, and quarantining returned library items.

He said the CARES Act funds “does cover some things we’ve already done,” he said. “But we have a wish list of things we’d like to be able to do to protect our customers and staff and be good citizens.

“I can’t say enough about our staff, they’ve been wonderful. They’ve handled it all professionally, they’ve been great and the public has been wonderful.”

The library system is open to the public for in-person visits. Bookmobile and curbside services are also available by calling the library. Find out more by visiting the library online at steubenvillelibrary.org

Library officials credit Ohio Rep. Jack Cera, D-Bellaire, and Ohio Sen. Frank Hoagland, R-Mingo Junction with helping secure the funds.

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