Emergency Closures Policy

 

Purpose

Waterloo Public Library is a public service institution, and every effort is made to maintain access to service for the public through regular hours of operation. However, the Library system, or any one of its locations may close when adverse weather conditions exist or are expected to deteriorate, or when other situations affecting public or staff safety arise, such building maintenance issues, power outages and other emergencies. This policy identifies the responsibility and the factors which inform a decision to close or postpone opening the Library.

Policy

The CEO or their designate, in consultation with the Library Board Chair, is responsible for determining the operational status of the Library during an emergency situation.

In the case of inclement weather, this determination is made based on a number of factors, in combination:

• Weather forecast
• Present and projected road conditions
• Availability of public transit
• Service continuation or closure of comparable services within the City of Waterloo (eg. WMRC, RIM Park, AMCC)

In the event of an unscheduled closing, the following means of communication will be used: 

• Local radio broadcast
• Posting on Library social media (website, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
• Announcement on the Library telephone answering service

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Document Record

September 2007 – Initial Release
July 2015 – Reviewed
June 2019 – Reviewed