COVID-19 Information and Resources

Posted on by Lissa Staley

Library Information

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library requires visitors and staff to wear masks Monday-Friday from 8-9am. Masks are not required after 9am Monday-Friday and Saturday and after noon on Sunday. Customers may be required to wear masks for programs or services in which social distancing is not a possibility. We will continue to provide masks.

We recommend you stay home if you are feeling ill, quarantining or waiting for COVID test results. Contact Ask-a-Librarian for assistance using the library resources.

In the library

  • Social Distancing of at least 6-feet apart is recommended for individuals, but groups may work together in the library and use the Team Rooms.
  • Customers will be able to consume drinks and snacks while using the library.
  • The library is open regularly scheduled hours:
    M-F 9am – 9pm | Sat 9am – 6pm | Sun Noon – 9pm

Bookmobiles

  • Masks are no longer required on the bookmobiles or on the Learn and Play Bus.
  • See the Bookmobile schedule to find a stop near you.

Updated Basic COVID Information

Things to Know about the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Local COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine

The Shawnee County Health Department: Testing Options page is the most current and accurate source of this information in our community, including recent changes.
KDHE: To find a free testing location in your community, or guidance about who should get tested, visit knowbeforeyougoKS.com.

Updated March 2022:  Residential households in the U.S. can order two separate orders of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Fill in this form with your contact and shipping information to order your tests. If an order was previously placed for your address, you can place a second order now.

The Shawnee County Health Department Vaccine Information page is the most current source of information for Shawnee County and includes links to partners and other information about COVID vaccine in our county.

The KDHE Vaccine information page provides additional information statewide, including for Topeka and Shawnee County.

For questions about COVID vaccines in Shawnee County, call the Shawnee County Health Department Vaccine hotline at 785-251-4949 or email CovidVaccine@snco.us.

Shawnee County COVID-19 Community Data

State, National, and Global COVID-19 Resources

Response and Recovery Resources

Mental Health Crisis Lines

Valeo

  • Shawnee County Mental Health Crisis Line Valeo (ages 18+) Open 24/7 1-785-234-3300
  • Valeo Covid Crisis CounselingValeo COVID Crisis Counseling services 1-785-233-1730 ext 4152 through KSstrongertogether.org or 1-800-273-8255

Family Service & Guidance Center

  • Shawnee County Mental Health Crisis Line FSGC (17 & under) Open 24/7 1-785-232-5005
  • FSGC Stronger Topether Anyone who is struggling due to COVID-19 can visit www.FSGCtopeka.com/stronger and a staff member will get back to them to help connect them to local resources and information.

Community Resource and Referral Line – 211

  • United Way 211 – Dial 211 from any phone to speak with a referral specialist 24 hours a day about COVID-19 or any other service needs you may have. Available in English and Spanish. 211

Resources for Food and Assistance

Tax Forms and Assistance

Tax Forms and Assistance links to local resources and state/federal forms.

Child Tax Credit information is available at childtaxcredit.gov  and in Spanish. Low-income families with children are eligible for this crucial tax relief – including those who have not made enough money to be required to file taxes. Use the Non Filer Signup tool. 

Eviction Prevention

Housing and Credit Counseling Inc – Call to ask whether your situation with rent/utilities fits with COVID relief programs. 800-383-0217 and  785-234-0217

Kansas Legal Services Individuals seeking legal assistance must first apply. You can apply for legal assistance by filling out the Online Application or by phone 1-800-723-6953.

The Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance program (KERA) will provide rental and utility assistance to households experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID pandemic.

COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance Program The Operation COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance Program is a foreclosure/eviction mitigation program created by the City of Topeka and administered by the Community Resources Council. An additional $400,000 in CARES Act funds has been made available to qualified applicants to help cover mortgages. The program is by appointment only and applicants must be city residents, have a documented loss of income due to Covid-19, have an outstanding mortgage, and meet income guidelines. Appointments can be scheduled over the phone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling (785) 233-1365. If the line is busy, leave your name and phone number and CRC staff will call back to schedule an appointment.

Internet Resources and WiFi Access

WiFi Access in the library’s parking lot, community centers and other locations.

Learn more about the new Emergency Broadband Benefit at https://getemergencybroadband.org/

Local News Resources

Local news sources provide recent updated information on this emerging situation in our community.

Lissa Staley helps people use the library. She is a Book Evangelist, Trivia Emcee, Classics Made Modern book discussion leader, NaNoWriMo Municipal Liaison, and frequent library customer. She loves her kids, being a librarian, living in Topeka, and helping people form connections and community. (She's the Community Connections Librarian!) She reads a new book every few days, but is enjoying the audiobook of "Empress of Forever" by Max Gladstone, the ebook "When We Were Magic" by Sarah Gailey and is eagerly awaiting John Scalzi's "The Last Emperox" in April!