Library Information
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library will no longer maintain mask requirements. Customers and staff will be personally responsible for complying with Shawnee County Health Department mask guidelines. We will continue to provide masks to anyone who wishes to wear one.
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. Full meals purchased at the Millennium Café may be consumed in the café, in the eating area in the New Books, Movies and Music area and in Claire’s Courtyard.
- The Menninger Room, Hughes Room, Anton Room and Perkins Room may be reserved for up to 10 people.
- The library is open it’s regularly scheduled hours:
M-F 9am – 9pm | Sat 9am – 6pm | Sun Noon – 9pm
Bookmobiles
- Facemasks will be required when on a Bookmobile. Outside of the vehicles, masks will not be required.
- Bookmobiles are running a limited schedule and everyone on the vehicle must wear a mask. This is a recommendation of the Shawnee County Health Department due to the close quarters and air filtration needs.
Updated Basic COVID Information
Things to Know about the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Important Ways to Slow the Spread
- Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
- Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.
- Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you.
- Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
Local COVID-19 Testing
GoGetTested.com/Kansas, to quickly identify free testing locations, including locations in Topeka. One location is in the parking lot of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Make an appointment at GoGetTested.com/Kansas or by calling 1.877.837.8461.
Additional local testing locations and options are updated on the website of the Shawnee County Health Department. Shawnee County residents should first call their Primary Care Provider to see if testing is available through that clinic location. Always call ahead before entering a primary care clinic.
Local COVID-19 Vaccine
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.
On March 26, 2021 the Governor of Kansas announced that Kansas would move to Phase 5 of the States Vaccination Plan starting March 29, 2021. Beginning on May 14, 2021 all Shawnee County residents 12 years of age and older are now eligible to receive a vaccine from participating vaccine providers.
Questions about COVID-19 vaccines in Shawnee County can be directed to CovidVaccine@snco.us.
Local COVID-19 Information
Frequently Asked Questions and Fact Sheets from the Shawnee County Health Department
Shawnee County
- Shawnee County Health Department COVID-19 Information
- Shawnee County Health Department COVID-19 Dashboard (desktop) (mobile) The Dashboard is updated Monday/Wednesday/Friday.
- Stormont Vail Health COVID-19 News and Information Updated Tuesdays.
- University of Kansas Health System – St. Francis Campus COVID information page
State
- Kansas COVID-19 Response and Recovery: Your source for community, family, mental, financial, & economic health.
- KDHE Coronavirus COVID-19 Response from Kansas Department of Health and Environment
- KDHE COVID-19 Dashboard summarizing cases, hospitalizations, deaths. Use the map for county level data, including Shawnee County.
National
- Get the latest public health information from CDC: coronavirus.gov
- Get the latest research information from NIH: nih.gov/coronavirus
- Temas de Salud: COVID-19 Spanish Language National Institutes of Health Resources for COVID-19
- WHO COVID-19 Information
- Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) includes interactive data map. Select a country for more detailed breakdown of data, including United States.
Mental Health Crisis Lines
Valeo
- Shawnee County Mental Health Crisis Line Valeo (ages 18+) Open 24/7 1-785-234-3300
Valeo 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
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
- United Way Resources – 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.
- Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging coordinates services for older adults.
- Meals on Wheels of Eastern Kansas serves seniors and homebound in Shawnee, Jefferson and Douglas counties.
- Food Pantries and Meal Programs updated June 2021 and Spanish version: Food Pantries and Meal Programs updated June 2021
- Need help finding food resources in Shawnee County? Here is a map of local food pantries, feeding sites and food giveaways. Enter your address to find resources nearby. Created and updated by Shawnee County K-State Research and Extension.
Tax Forms and Assistance
Tax Forms and Assistance links to local resources and state/federal forms.
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.
The Operation COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance Program is a foreclosure/eviction mitigation and utility prevention shut-off program created by the City of Topeka and administered by the Community Resources Council. $1.5 million in CARES Act funds are available to qualified applicants to help cover expenses and help keep people housed and with utilities. The program is by appointment only and applicants must be city residents, have COVID related outstanding bills after March 2020 and make no more than 100% of area median income. Appointments can be scheduled over the phone from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 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.
- Topeka Capital Journal Online
- WIBW
- KSNT
- Kansas Reflector
- Online Newspaper Access with your library card
Lissa Staley
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!