South Fayette Township Library reopening, Movies in the Park, postponed

South Fayette Township Library patrons will have to wait a while longer before coming inside and taking part in programs during the covid-19 pandemic.

Library officials tentatively set July 13 as the opening date with adjusted hours, the facility open at half capacity and everyone wearing masks.

Commissioners learned at Wednesday night’s meeting that those plans would not come to fruition.

“We’re just trying to balance the needs and the services we provide with safety for both the staff and the patrons,” library director Ben Hornfeck said. “We don’t want to risk anything unnecessarily as far as letting people back into the library too soon, and that’s why the timeline is still kind of debatable.”

An early August opening may be possible if situations improve.

“Some libraries are letting people in already,” Hornfeck said. “Some libraries were and have gone back the other way and not letting people in. It’s sort of a mixed bag of that timeline.”

There are usually four workers in the library at any given time, but that may be reduced to two for added safety, Hornfeck said.

Curbside pickup remains in place. It’s available by appointment only Mondays from 3-7 p.m. and Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All staffers wear masks in accordance with the state and Office of Commonwealth Libraries’ recommendations.

Patrons can schedule an appointment either online at southfayettelibrary.com or call 412-257-8660.

Book returns are quarantined for 72 hours before being put back on the shelves.

Officials discussed possibly allowing a 45-minute computer appointments so patrons could use those devices, as well as loaning out Chromebooks with hotspots.

It’s unclear when those options would be available.

More information about the library’s proposed reopening plans is available on the township’s website.

Other postponements

The township’s Movies in the Park was canceled again due to the pandemic and recently enacted restrictions on gatherings in Allegheny County.

County officials limited gatherings to 25 people indoors and 50 outdoors.

The free recreational program usually takes place once a month in June, July and August.

This month’s movie was planned for July 10 at Fairview Park.

Commissioners could reschedule it for September. June’s move night was also canceled due to the pandemic.

Commissioners bounced around ideas on how to keep people safe and socially distanced to have the movie.

Vice president Joseph Horowitz said any such idea would be a bad one and advocated postponement.

“I think putting people together now for any reason until we know what’s going on more, especially if the township sanctions it and acts like it’s OK, I think it’s a bad idea,” Horowitz said. “I don’t think there is any way to do it safely right now, and I don’t think we know what the safe way is, so waiting two months seems like a much better idea.”

The Aug. 14 movie is still on the schedule. The movie selection was not mentioned.

In other news

Commissioners unanimously voted to advertise amending their township manager ordinance.

Commissioners want to remove a provision in the law that prevents commissioners from interfering with appointments or removals made by the manager.

The provision was adopted in 2016 when Ryan Eggleston was the manager. The current manager is John Barrett. The amendment is expected to be approved next month.