Magsaysay Memorial College of Zambales, Inc.

San Narciso, Zambales

2205 Philippines
TELE-FAX# (047) 6022093
E-MAIL: MMC_Zambales@[Link]

Guidelines on Managing MMCZI College Library for the New Normal Operations

I. INTRODUCTION
Almost all libraries are closed and coping with many challenges as the world deals with
the COVID-19 pandemic. While collections are not directly at risk, the pandemic complicates
their care. Once libraries can open their doors to their user, like all sectors, libraries have been
advised to practice the ‘new normal’ in their daily activities which includes social distancing and
several health measures. This guideline serves to assist libraries in MMCZI to take precautionary
measures to practice physical distancing, crowd management and enhanced hygienic practices at
the libraryto minimize risk of infection for/from the library users as well as staff while they are
in the library.

II. OBJECTIVE
MMCZI library staff need to consider how best to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and
lower its impact in their workplace. Thus, the objectives of this guideline are to primarily:
a. Reduce transmission among staff and users,
b. Maintain healthy library operations, and
c. Maintain a healthy work environment.

III. SCOPE
This guideline applies to:
a. All library staff
b. All library users
c. All library visitors

IV. UNDERSTANDING COVID-19 AND ITS SPREAD

Coronavirus refers to a family of viruses. COVID-19 – or Coronavirus Disease – is the
infectious disease caused by a newly discovered type of coronavirus.

As the World Health Organization (WHO) has set out, most people infected with the
COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without
requiring special treatment.  Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to
develop serious illness. Common symptoms include fever, tiredness and a dry cough. Other
symptoms include shortness of breath, aches and pains, sore throat, and very few people will
report diarrhea, nausea or a runny nose.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the
COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. The COVID-19 virus spreads
primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs
or sneezes.

V. SOME USEFUL COVID – 19 DEFINITIONS

“Assess your essential functions” means to evaluate and change your library practices if needed
to maintain critical operations (e.g., identify alternative suppliers, prioritize existing customers,
or temporarily suspend some of your operations if needed).

“Book isolation” means the act of separating returned book from other library materials to
prevent virus infection.
 Magsaysay Memorial College of Zambales, Inc.
San Narciso, Zambales
2205 Philippines
TELE-FAX# (047) 6022093
E-MAIL: MMC_Zambales@[Link]

“Crowd management” means facilitation, employment and movement of large number of

gatherings on a library’s premises.

“Hygiene” means conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing

disease, especially through cleanliness.

“Physical distancing” means keeping a distance of at least one (1) meter between you and the
people around you.

“Precautionary measures” means preventive and anticipatory actions in order to be safe and to
improve workplace safety amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

VI. RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Position Roles and Responsibilities
Librarian Brief staff/student assistant on the handling of
users, facilities and library materials
All library staff a. Practice physical distancing when
providing services to users and staff in the
library
b. Handling of returned books
Maintenance Officers Institutional cleaning services contract staff to
carry out cleaning and disinfection services
according to proper procedures as determined
by the institution/organization management

VII. CROWD MANAGEMENT AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING

a. Mark or label floors and/or chairs to ensure a minimum distance of one (1) meter apart is
practiced in compliance with the recommendations of public health authorities.
b. Practice physical distancing at all areas in the library avoiding large gatherings.
c. Limit or restrict the number of users accessing essential services at any one time within the
library’s premises.
d. Reservation of study space should be based on a ‘first come first served’ basis. Reservations
made through room or study space booking system should be limited to two (2) hours only.
e. Group study rooms or discussion rooms will not be made available in the library.
f. All users and visitors are advised to wear face masks.
g. Temperature screening will be conducted at the entrance of the library if this is not conducted
anywhere else within the institution/organization. This practice will be in place until such time
the institution/organization deem unnecessary.
h. Provide sanitizers/alcohols at strategic places within the library such as entrance, counters,
photocopying area, computer area.
i. Every library user and visitor are required to register themselves on entering the library for
contact tracing if the need arises.

VIII. STAFF MANAGEMENT

[Link] flexible working hours or rotational shifts wherever possible in order to reduce the
number of on-site staff.
b. Reschedule staff working hours manning various library counters, collecting books from
book drops and shelving.
[Link] there is no option to work from home, rearrange the seating arrangement of staff to ensure
physical distance is observed.
 Magsaysay Memorial College of Zambales, Inc.
San Narciso, Zambales
2205 Philippines
TELE-FAX# (047) 6022093
E-MAIL: MMC_Zambales@[Link]

d. The body temperature of each staff will be taken before he/she enters the library. If the
body temperature is above or below the normal body temperature, the staff has to seek medical
assistance.
[Link] who have symptoms (i.e. fever, cough, or shortness of breath) should notify their
supervisor and stay home.
f. Staff who are well but who have a sick family member at home infected by COVID-19 should
notify their supervisor and follow the Department of Health (DOH) recommended precautions.
g. Staff should avoid using other staff’s telephones, desks, office space or other work tools
and equipment, whenever possible. If necessary, clean and disinfect them before and after use.
4
h. Staff should keep themselves updated with the latest information and health advices on
COVID-19 from credible websites and sources such as the Department of Health (DOH)
Philippines and the World Health Organization (WHO).

IX. LIBRARY SERVICES MANAGEMENT

[Link] and/or shorten library opening hours subject to the policy of individual institution/
organization.
b. Schedule returning of books activity at the circulation counter during specific times only.
[Link] for library materials by users will be conducted through telephone services (such as
Chat with a Librarian), email to minimize face-to-face interactions.
d. No book and/or other physical materials can be requested through the Inter Library Loan
(ILL) service.
[Link] will be no In-Person Reference and Library Instruction sessions. These services will be
made available through chat services (such as Chat with a Librarian)
f. The ‘No Handshake’ policy will be implemented throughout the library.

X. LIBRARY COLLECTION MANAGEMENT

[Link] up an isolation room and/or area to keep returned library items for a period of 24 hours to
four (4) days. If a dedicated isolation space cannot be established, staff can put the items in a
plastic bag for the same duration.
b. The isolation room should not be air-conditioned. If the room is serviced by the
centralized air-conditioning system, the air-conditioning vent in that room should be closed or
covered to prevent cold air from getting into the room.
[Link] library items are to be taken out of circulation for 24 hours to four (4) days.
d. The returned items should be placed in the specially designated isolation room or area.
[Link] should wear gloves when moving returned library items into isolation room and the
gloves must be removed and discarded immediately and appropriately before doing other work.
The gloves must be discarded in covered dust bins labelled as COVID-19 Discards.
f. Returned library items in the form of paperbacks or books with cloth covers must be cleaned
with a microfiber cloth rather than disinfectant wipes to avoid damage.
g. The use of liquid disinfectants is not recommended as it is harmful to library materials.
Exposure to UV rays as a means of sterilization is also not recommended.

XI. ENHANCED HYGIENE

[Link] staff will be provided with face masks and gloves.
b. Hand sanitizers/alcohols will be made available at strategic places within the library and
accessible to all staff.
[Link] must wash their hands with soap and water or sanitizers before opening and after closing
the library.
d. Staff should wear gloves when moving returned library items into isolation room and
remove them immediately before doing other work. This is to avoid staff from accidentally
touching other areas such as door handles, computers, telephones etc.
 Magsaysay Memorial College of Zambales, Inc.
San Narciso, Zambales
2205 Philippines
TELE-FAX# (047) 6022093
E-MAIL: MMC_Zambales@[Link]

[Link] tissues, face masks, gloves, wipes and/or napkins are to be disposed appropriately. These
items must be discarded in covered dust bins that have been labelled as COVID-19 Discards.
This is to avoid possible contamination with nonCOVID-19 discards.
f. After removing the gloves, staff must wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.

A. Hygiene Etiquette
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

B. Cover coughs and sneezes

1. If you are in a private setting and do not have on your face mask or cloth face covering,
remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
or use the inside of your elbow.
2. Throw used tissues in the trash.
3. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and
water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at
least 60% alcohol.
4. A routine cleaning process should be undertaken in the library to remove visible dust and
debris from the surfaces of bookshelves and library furniture.
5. Sanitization is important for health and hygiene. This must be done daily especially on
communal surfaces like countertops, doorknobs, light switches, touchpads and any
surface that comes in contact with body fluids.

Prepared by:

Ms. MARIA THERESA E. FLORESCA, RL

College Librarian