Introduction
Northland Public Library’s (NPL) first responsibility is to ensure the safety of our employees, volunteers (1), our patrons and our communities. COVID-19 is a serious, life-threatening disease that has infected millions of people worldwide and continues to pose a threat. NPL is striving to take all necessary precautions to protect our employees, volunteers and patrons from becoming infected as we continue to serve our communities including wearing masks, social distancing and using hand sanitizers.
To date, several vaccines have been approved by the FDA. As a result of these approvals, the management and board of NPL strongly encourage all of our employees and volunteers to get vaccinated as soon as it is possible. Vaccinating is the safest, most effective way to build protection against this disease. Ultimately, this will slow the spread.
Getting vaccinated isn’t only about you — it’s about your family, friends, coworkers, and community. By receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, you’re doing your part to keep our society safe and healthy.
Getting vaccinated
All new hires and new volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC (2). Unvaccinated new hires must get their first vaccination dose within one week of accepting an employment offer from NPL. New hires and volunteers who are not fully vaccinated at the time they are hired or given a volunteer assignment may not start work or volunteer service until they receive their first vaccination dose. New hires and volunteers who receive a two-dose vaccine must receive the second dose of the vaccine within the time designated by the CDC. New hires and volunteers must present their original proof of COVID-19 vaccination documentation on the first day of working or volunteering at NPL. New hires and volunteers who, as of their first day of work or service, have received only the first dose of a two-dose vaccine must present their original proof of COVID-19 vaccination documentation to the Executive Director after their second dose also. New hires and volunteers who are unable to receive the second dose of a two-dose vaccine within the time designated by the CDC may be granted a grace period of up to 2 weeks by the Executive Director to complete the full vaccination process. New hires who fail to become fully vaccinated at the end of the grace period will be terminated. New volunteers who fail to become fully vaccinated at the end of the grace period will not be permitted to volunteer in the library until they become fully vaccinated. Until they are fully-vaccinated, new hires and volunteers must wear a KN95 mask or two ASTM Level 1, 2 & 3 Surgical Masks as seen on this page of the Project N95 website (https://shop.projectn95.org/), or alternately a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator as seen on this page of the Project N95 website (https://shop.projectn95.org/ ), whenever they are indoors and working for NPL. Masks shall be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
In order to encourage all employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, existing employees will be given paid time off (up to two hours per dose) to get their vaccinations (including boosters). New hires who are getting their second dose also will be given paid time off (up to two hours per dose). Employees should coordinate with their supervisor ahead of time when they intend to take this time so that any necessary accommodations can be made.
You should consult your physician if you have allergies or any other concerns about your being able to be vaccinated safely. Additional information is provided from Allegheny Health Network and UPMC and you can learn more about vaccine safety from the CDC.
Existing employees and volunteers who are unvaccinated or cannot/will not show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to the Executive Director are required to wear a KN95 or two ASTM Level 1, 2 & 3 Surgical Masks as seen on this page of the Project N95 website (https://shop.projectn95.org/ ), or alternately a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator as seen on this page of the Project N95 website (https://shop.projectn95.org/ ) at all times whenever they are indoors and working or volunteering for NPL (3). Masks shall be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Vendors and Contractors
All vendors and contractors who are in the Northland Public Library building for an hour or more at a time, must wear a KN95 or two ASTM Level 1, 2 & 3 Surgical Masks as seen on this page of the Project N95 website (https://shop.projectn95.org/ ), or alternately a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator as seen on this page of the Project N95 website (https://shop.projectn95.org/ ) at all times whenever they are inside the library (4). Vendors and Contractors who show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to the Executive Director, will be able to follow the current mask wearing guidelines as vaccinated staff. Masks shall be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
An employee’s, volunteer’s, vendor’s or contractor’s vaccination status – as with all employee medical records- will be kept confidential.
Mask wearing guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated staff, volunteers, vendors, contractors and all patrons will be adjusted as necessary taking into consideration CDC Recommendations, local, county, state or federal mandates and local transmission rates.
(1) Includes Northland Public Library Authority Board members and Northland Public Library Foundation Board Members when in the library building acting on library board or foundation board business.
(2) Newly hired employees and new volunteers who cannot be vaccinated due to a legitimate medical or religious reason must request an accommodation from management. We will make reasonable accommodations (as required by law) for those employees and volunteers.
(3) Current employees and volunteers who cannot be vaccinated due to a legitimate medical or religious reason must request an accommodation from management. We will make reasonable accommodations (as required by law) for those employees and volunteers.
(4) Vendors and contractors who cannot be vaccinated due to a legitimate medical or religious reason must request an accommodation from management. We will make reasonable accommodations (as required by law) for those vendors and contractors.
Approved 9/28/2021