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99 Main Street
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 373-1586
fax: (978) 373-8466

Storm Guidelines for Delays/Closings

Haverhill Public Library

In the event of a weather emergency, it may be necessary to close the Library for the safety of staff and patrons.  If such an event occurs, the Library Director, Assistant Director, or the Department Head on duty, in consultation with the Board of Trustees and the Mayor's Office, will make the decision.  If the decision is made not to open the Library, a message will be placed on the Library's phone system by 7:00 a.m.  If the Library is closed for the day, staff scheduled to work will be paid.  If the Library opens, but a staff member who is scheduled to work cannot report to work because of weather conditions, the staff member must use personal or vacation leave. 

Delayed Opening or Closed "Snow Day"

Closings or delayed openings are coordinated with City Hall in the following manner:

If Haverhill City offices are closed due to severe weather, the Library will also be closed.  A message will be placed on the Library's phone system by 7:00 a.m.  When possible, the Library's website will be updated to include storm closings and delays.  In inclement weather, the Library's emergency calling tree will go into effect.  Department Heads will contact all staff about the closing.  If staff members do not receive a phone call from their supervisor, they should check the Library's phone system for a weather-related message. 

If Haverhill City offices are delayed due to inclement weather, the Library will delay its opening until 11 a.m.  Again, a message will be placed on the Library's phone system by 7:00 a.m.  If the snowfall necessitates street plowing, the library parking lot must be plowed (and/or sanded and de-iced based on what the conditions warrant) in order for the Library to open to the public.  When significant snowfall is expected, the Custodian will call the Department of Public Works if the parking lot has not been plowed when he arrives.  He will also notify the Director, Assistant Director, or Department Head in charge for the day when the plowing is completed and the Library is able to open.  If the Library parking lot is still not plowed in time for an 11 a.m. opening, staff reporting to work should park on adjacent City streets or at City Hall.  The Library will open to the public once the parking lot has been plowed.

Early Closing - Daytime

If weather forecasts and road conditions warrant, the Director (or in her absence, the Assistant Director or Department Head in charge for the day), in consultation with the Trustees and the Mayor's Office, will close the Library early.

If the Director is not at the Library, the Assistant Director or Department Head in charge of the Library for the day should contact the Director.  If the Director is not available, the staff member in charge should contact the Assistant Director.  If the Assistant Director is not available, a representative of the Trustees or the Mayor will make the decision to close early.  To minimize patron inconvenience during inclement weather and to insure the safety of the staff, management may consider the option of letting employees go home early if there is available administrative staff to run the Library.  Employees who leave early must use personal or vacation time or make up lost hours.

Early Closing - Evening

The guidelines for early closing during daytime hours also apply to the evening with the caveat that if the Trustees or the Mayor are not available, library management staff will be authorized to close the Library if the situation warrants it.  However, the Trustees and the Mayor should be alerted to the early closing as soon as possible. 

Closing Procedures - Weekends

When there is significant snowfall overnight that may impact Saturday opening, the Library Director will authorize use of overtime to pay the Custodian to clear the entrances to the building.  On Saturdays, the Custodian will contact the Department Head scheduled to work that day and notify her of the status of the parking lot.  If the lot has not been plowed and poses a threat to staff and patron safety, the Library will delay opening until 11 a.m.  On stormy weekends, staff should check the library phone message by 7:00 a.m. for a weather-related message.   If plowing is not completed by 11 a.m., the senior staff person in charge will evaluate the safety of the parking lot and stairways and make a recommendation about opening to the Library Director or Assistant Director. 

Adopted by the Board of Trustees, Haverhill Public Library, November 19, 2009