Update 5/20/2021
Masks are optional. The library leaves it to patrons' discretion to mask or not per CDC guidelines.
Update 4/22/2021
Masks are recommended. Items are no longer quarantined per CDC recommendations. The library will continue with its escalated cleaning regimen. Patrons are encouraged to stay six feet apart and practice frequent handwashing.
Update 9/28
The library is back to its normal hours and services. Masks are mandated per state statute. Cubside is still available for those who prefer contactless service and those unable to wear masks. Those unable to wear masks are encouraged to use curbside or keep in library visits short, under 15 minutes. If patrons unable to wear masks need longer in library use please contact the director at 920-398-3434 to arrange accomadations. We are also asking patrons to follow our Post Safer at Home Guidelines:
Markesan Public Library Post Safer at Home Operating Procedures:
These procedures are subject to change as needed and as need or situation dictates. Our first responsibility is for the safety of our staff, volunteers and patrons
Masks: Masks are highly encouraged. Staff are to wear masks when helping someone closer than 6 feet. Updated: Masks wearing is mandated by the state. If you cannot wear a mask due to health or other accepted reasons please contact the library for curbside service or limit visit to less than 15 minutes.
Wellness: No one is to enter if they do not feel well and are exhibiting symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, etc.). We will provide curbside service to open trunk or cargo area for these patrons. If a patron is clearly exhibiting symptoms, librarians have the right to ask the patron to leave for the safety of themselves and the rest of the public.
Social Distancing: Patrons & staff are to practice social distancing whenever possible. The library will do its best to follow the guidelines of the GLC Health Department. (As of 5/21/20 no more than 50 people or half-the capacity of the building/rooms). If the library becomes overcrowded librarians may ask patrons to leave or limit their time spent in the library.
Computers: We are giving priority to patrons using the computers for job searches, business, homework, unemployment, or other pressing matters. We are encouraging patrons to wash hands or use hand sanitizer before and after computer use. We may limit computer use to 1 hr.
Meeting Room: Limited Meeting Room use per library director’s discretion, no more than 16 people.
Library Layout: Furniture/Computers will be spaced to encourage social distancing. Toys will be stored. Bubbler will be out of order. Downstairs bathrooms will be out of order.
Material Handling: All materials in the book drop must be quarantined for 72 hours. Patrons who browse our materials are asked to return unwanted but touched items to a quarantine cart. Updated: Patrons with small children should supervise their children’s browsing.
Programming: Programming will continue virtually or with social distancing measures in place.
Very Limited Socializing: The library is traditionally a place of gathering and socializing. During this pandemic the library is encouraging patrons to use the physical library primarily for its materials and computer/equipment usage. We are asking patrons to keep socializing to a minimum. No long conversations with staff or other patrons.
Hand Washing: We are encouraging patrons to wash their hands often and to avoid touching their faces. We strongly encourage washing your hands or using hand sanitizer before and after computer use and before and after entering and leaving the library. We also encourage patrons to wash their hands after touching their faces, blowing their noses, coughing, or sneezing and after using the bathroom.
Cleaning: Cleaning procedures have been put into place for staff to follow. Please see “Guidelines for Cleaning during Reopening”.
Update 9/21
Due to the uptick in COVID-19 cases and the school closure, from Mon. Sept. 21- Sat. Sept. 26 the Markesan Library is going to be open for curbside service during our regular hours with in library use of computers and browsing by appointment. Just call ahead, 920-398-3434 if you need to use computers or see our collection. We ask visits inside our building remain on the shorter side and that computer use be for prints, homework, business, other important needs or a quick check of email. Please no gaming.
All items due from 9/14 on, have been made due on 9/27. We will also backdate returned items and quarantine materials.
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
Update 5/18
The Markesan Public Library is happy to announce that we are open to the public. We are back to our normal hours: Mon & Thurs 10 am -7pm; Tues, Wed, Fri 10am – 6pm; and Sat. 9am-12. Come visit us for books, movies, music, magazines, faxes, copies, internet, and more! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some library services like holds are still being affected. Checkouts are still extended to June 1. Materials are being quarantined for 72 hours before we check them in. We will backdate these materials, but they will still appear on your library account until we can discharge them. We ask for your patience during this time.
Prior Posts:
To help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to be responsive to the recommendations of the Centers of Disease Control and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and the Safe at Home order, the Markesan Public Library will be closed Weds. March 18 until Tues. May 26 , subject to changing conditions. We are taking the following measures at this time:
New: Hours for curbside pickup: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. With evening hours on Monday and Thursday from 4-6. Starting Friday April 24.
More info on Curbside pickup procedure can be found here
- All adult and children events and programs are canceled and postponed until further notice or have gone virtual. Please check our main website and our Facebook page for details.
- Patron holds are allowed on local material only
- Limited library to library delivery.
- We will extend all checkouts to June 1, there will be no fines accessed.
Access to E-books and streaming services is still available through this website and on your devices with the Overdrive or Libby app. The library also has public Wi-fi that reaches to our parking lot for those that need to connect. You can also access Ancestry Library Editions from home during this time with your library card. You login is your library card number with no spaces and your password is the last four digits of your phone number. If you do not have a library card you can register for a temporary card here. If you forgot your library card number or pin please contact the library through email: director@markesanlibrary.org. You may also leave a message at 920-398-3434. One or our librarians will get back to you shortly.
For the latest information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) regarding COVID-19, please visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Please visit this website and Facebook page for updates to this rapidly changing situation. The health and well-being of our patrons and staff is of the upmost priority to the library. Thank you so much for your understanding and support.
Below is a news release from the city of Markesan with further information:
City of Markesan Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Press Release Date: March 18, 2020
The City of Markesan is taking proactive measures to protect the health and wellbeing of the citizens of Markesan to help mitigate the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). We understand the measures highlighted below will have an impact on how the city serves the public, please know that these measures are made in the best interest to protect the health of everyone in the City of Markesan.
MARKESAN LIBRARY INFORMATION
The Markesan Public Library will be closed effective immediately until April 24, 2020. All current checkouts will have due dates extended until April 24, 2020 with no late fees assessed to customers over that period of time.
MARKESAN CITY HALL INFORMATION
The Markesan City Hall will be closed to walk up service effective immediately. If you have a question or concern for city hall, please call them at 920-398-3031 and they will be happy to assist you.
Water bill, parking tickets and other payments can be made one of several ways, you may mail your payment to City Hall at PO Box 352, Markesan WI 53946, you may drop the payment off in the drop box located outside of the City Hall entrance or you may go to our web page and pay online. Our webpage is http://www.markesanwi.gov/online-services/
ELECTION INFORMATION
Residents are highly encouraged to vote by mail for the April 7, 2020 election. If you would like to request an absentee ballot please call City Hall at 920-398-3031 and they can explain the process to you.
If a citizen would like to vote early or register to vote at City Hall, the entrance will be locked but you may ring the door bell and if it is during business hours the city clerk will come out and facilitate your ability to vote early. This should only be used for early voting purposes; all other city business should be done via phone at this time.
City hall will continue to serve as the City of Markesan polling location for the April 7, 2020 election.
DOG LICENSES
City of Markesan dog owners are reminded that your dog license must be registered with City Hall by March 31st or you will be assessed a late fee. To complete the dog license process we ask that you mail your dog’s proof of rabies vaccination and payment to City Hall PO Box 352, Markesan WI 53946 or you may place those items in an envelope and drop them in the drop box outside of the City Hall entrance. If you have any questions on the dog license process please call City Hall at 920-398-3031.
COMMUNITY ROOM USE
Effective immediately the community room will be off limits for use for any sort of gathering or meeting. If your group or family had the community room reserved, please contact City Hall at 920-398-3031. This will remain in effect until the health emergency is over.
AFFECTED CITY OF MARKESAN OPERATIONS
City of Markesan employees will be using social distancing to the greatest extent possible when conducting business with the public.
As of today the city council meetings and committee meetings will continue as normal, but please continue to watch for future updates regarding the status of these meetings.
City of Markesan parks remain open at this time.
HOW CAN I HELP?
Citizens of Markesan always come together in a time of need or crisis and this is no different, we have been asked by many already what can I do to help, so we have listed a couple of ways that you can make a huge difference. At this point, we assume you have heard many times stay home, limit interaction with others, wash your hands, etc. So we will tell you some other ways you can help your community.
Support your local food pantry. This is going to be a very trying time for many without our community and school district. Now is the perfect time to help support our local food pantry that works so hard to help so many. Here is how you can help:
Drop off non-perishable items at the main entrance to City Hall, we will have plastic totes outside the front entrance that you can put your items in and we will get them to the food pantry.
If you would like to donate monetarily to the food pantry so that they can go and buy needed supplies, you can mail a check to city hall addressed: Markesan Food Pantry PO Box 352, Markesan WI 53946.
Support our local businesses, many of them are struggling right now with the current restrictions and lack of daily traffic. Swing in and buy something from them.