SF libraries are back with SFPL To Go, their new contactless front door pick-up service starting Aug. 10
SFPL To Go is a service that safely delivers requested library materials to patrons at select library locations. It’s San Francisco Public Library’s version of “curbside pickup;” they are providing a contact-free front door type service where patrons can queue up outside their buildings to pick up their requested books at the library entrance.
The new program will roll out in phases with the first locations opening at the Main Library on Monday, August 10thand at the Excelsior Branch on Tuesday, August 11th. On July 9th, the San Francisco Public Library Commission endorsed a plan for SFPL To Go, the Library’s version of curbside pick-up. Over the coming weeks, the Library will open more SFPL To Go locations at Mission Bay, Eureka Valley, Merced, and Marina branches. Additional neighborhood libraries will offer the service as staffing capacity allows. Almost half of the Library’s staff are currently deployed as Disaster Service Workers. Library patrons can request a book, DVD, audiobook, LP or any circulating library item for front door pick-up by going to sfpl.org and placing a hold through their library account; by emailing info@sfpl.org or by calling 415-557-4400. Once the item is ready, patrons will receive a notice via email, phone or mail for retrieval. Book drops will be open only at SFPL To Go locations during operating hours.
Are the items safe to handle? Is it safe for patrons? Is it safe for staff?
Guidance on safe materials handling has been provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the City and County of San Francisco Department of Public Health. Your holds will be in a new paper bag, ready for you to “grab and go.” Bags and contents sit overnight without being touched again until you arrive to retrieve your holds. Once you arrive, you will not be allowed inside the building. A staff person will greet you at the door behind a table at least 6 feet distant, with a barrier. When staff places your items on a table, we will handle the bag by the bottom only. Then we will move away and allow you to approach and take your bag by the handles or top. When you return your items, staff will isolate them for 96 hours. Items will remain checked out to you until it’s safe for staff to handle them.
PS: Materials checked out pre-closure are not due until September 30th. As SFPL is Fabulously Fine Free, there are no late fees.
Mayor London N. Breed today announced new strategies for COVID-19 testing prioritization and availability to address the surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in San Francisco. San Francisco’s public COVID-19 testing program will focus on people who have symptoms consistent with the virus, close contacts of confirmed cases, and people prioritized by the Department of Public Health such as those impacted by an outbreak.
In addition, San Francisco’s public COVID-19 testing program will continue to serve first responders, activated Disaster Service Workers, people who must leave their homes to work in San Francisco, people without health insurance, and communities disproportionately impacted by this global pandemic. People with private health insurance should continue to request tests from their health care providers.
To support this effort, the CityTestSF site at the Embarcadero will add 400 new appointments per day to ensure that first responders, including City Disaster Service Workers, have access to testing.
Additionally, two new mobile testing sites that can each conduct up to 250 tests per day will be added to the City’s current testing assets, and will be deployed in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The placement of these new sites will be determined in consultation with community members.
A new long-term test site also will be added in the southeastern part of the City, starting with approximately 500 more tests per day for individuals most in need of testing.
Consistent prioritization of testing in congregate settings such as skilled nursing facilities has greatly contributed to San Francisco’s achievement of a fivefold lower death rate than those in comparable counties. San Francisco has consistently exceeded its target of conducting 1,800 tests daily, reaching an average of 3,212 daily tests this week.
In early July, a combination of increased testing demand paired with a delay in national laboratory results created a need to reevaluate existing testing resources in the City and determine how testing capacity could be improved, reprioritized and expanded.
Time to savor summer’s bounty, support local farmers and food makers. Updated list of open San Francisco farmers markets
National Farmers Market Week (August 2-8, 2020) is a great opportunity savor summer’s bounty, support local farmers and food makers. As COVID-19 crisis has proven, farmers markets are essential to supporting community health and resilient local food systems, now and in the long term.
So this week is a great excuse to visit a farmers market near you and support your local farmers and vendors. There are currently more than 8,800 farmers markets in the United States, and California leads the country, with 760 markets throughout the state.
The MB Shuttle will be closed on Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day.
A
couple of other updates:
SF
Muni is
still operating its Core Service (main lines only). As of mid-Jun, routes
7, 30 and 43 returned to service and routes 5 and 28 were extended. Muni
Metro (light rail) is still not operating.
Caltrain
has
increased weekday service to 70 trains. These trains are local and
limited service; Baby Bullets are still suspended.
Please remember on ALL transit (including shuttles) to wear a mask while waiting or on transit vehicles and keep social distance as best as you can.
The mayor announced new guidelines that allow for outdoor fitness classes, yoga, religious events along with “small gatherings”
Mayor London Breed announced on June 15th that San Francisco moves to the next phase of reopening which include not only indoor retail opening (50% capacity limit) but also outdoor fitness classes, outdoor religious gatherings and other “small gatherings” of up to 12 people as long as face coverings and social distancing is adhered to.
OUTDOOR
– Outdoor fitness classes (up to 12 people) with social distancing
– Religious gatherings and ceremonies, outdoors only (up to 12 people), with face coverings and social distancing
– Other small gatherings, outdoors only (up to 12 people), with face coverings and social distancing
– Outdoor dining including restaurants and bars serving meals with a limit of six customers per table unless all are members of the same household (effective June 12)
– Dog walking of multiple dogs (effective June 8)
SHOPPING / RETAIL
– Indoor retail with 50% capacity limits (enclosed malls with the approved plan)
– All curbside retail with direct street access with no limit on the number of on-site personnel, subject to social distancing, and with direct street access (enclosed malls with the approved plan)
SPORTS
– Professional sports games, tournaments, and other entertainment for broadcast with no in-person spectators. Events with more than 12 people must have an approved plan.
WORK
– All manufacturing, warehouse, and logistics with no limit on the number of on-site personnel, subject to social distancing– Some offices. Anyone who can telework must continue to do so, but individuals necessary for operations who cannot work remotely may come into the office as long as certain safety rules are followed. These include wearing a face covering and limiting the number of people who can be in the office at one time.
SUMMER CAMPS
– Summer camps with stable groups of up to 12.
MEDICAL PROCEDURES/APPTS.
– Non-emergency medical appointments
HOUSE CLEANING
– All private indoor household services like cooks and house cleaners
Safety protocols and public health requirements remain necessary to protect the health and wellbeing of all San Franciscans.
In keeping with the Mayor’s order for a curfew from 8pm til 5am, the last few runs coming into Mission Bay will be cancelled until further notice. The yellow highlighted times are the last runs from Mission Bay to Transbay and Embarcadero BART, and the last runs from those hubs returning to Mission Bay.
