Library Information
Masks are not required. 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
- Customers will be able to consume drinks with lids and vending-machine 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
December 15, 2022: Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests: Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of #4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order: Limit of one order per residential address One order includes #4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. Orders will ship free starting the week of December 19, 2022
How to Protect Yourself and Others 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.
The KDHE Vaccine information page provides additional information statewide, including for Topeka and Shawnee County.
Shawnee County COVID-19 Community Data
- Shawnee County Health Department Information
- Shawnee County Health Department COVID-19 Data Dashboard The Dashboard is updated on Wednesday by 5pm.
- Stormont Vail Health COVID-19 News and Information
- University of Kansas Health System – St. Francis Campus COVID information page
State, National, and Global COVID-19 Resources
- 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.
- Get the latest public health information from CDC
- Get the latest research information from NIH
- Temas de Salud: COVID-19 Spanish Language National Institutes of Health Resources for COVID-19
- WHO COVID-19 Information
Response and Recovery Resources
- Kansas COVID-19 Response and Recovery: Your source for community, family, mental, financial, & economic health.
Medicaid Resources
- Medicaid renewal notices are currently being sent out to households up for redetermination. Help spread the word to KanCare members and prevent unnecessary coverage loss!
Update contact info with KanCare (KIERA makes it easy!) - Check for mail from KanCare & respond ASAP
- Continue to report changes to KanCare.
- If found ineligible for KanCare, connect with a Navigator to find possible coverage options.
Mental Health Crisis Lines
Valeo
- Shawnee County Mental Health Crisis Line Valeo (ages 18+) Open 24/7 1-785-234-3300
Family Service & Guidance Center
- Shawnee County Mental Health Crisis Line FSGC (17 & under) Open 24/7 1-785-232-5005
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 community resources and any service needs you may have. Available in English and Spanish. 211
Resources for Food and Assistance
- Wellsky/Healthify – find opportunities for help in Topeka in a searchable resource
- 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 April 2023 and Spanish language: Food Pantries and Meal Programs updated April 2023
- Topeka Resource Checklist Updated April 2023
- 2021 CRC Resource Directory
- 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.
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 – 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.
Internet Resources and WiFi Access
WiFi Access in the library’s parking lot, community centers and other locations.
Consumers can apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program at AffordableConnectivity.gov
Accessing Infant Formulas
HHS: Guidance and What the Federal Government is Doing
Help to find formula, guidance for families and caretakers, and details about how the Biden Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services are taking action to help in this crisis.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Formula Shortage Q&A
AAP has put together an extensive list of guidelines and resources to help families navigate the shortage.
KBC Human Milk Banks and Depots in Kansas
The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition has compiled resources and recommendations for families and those who support them.
Spanish Language Local Resources
- United Way 211 – Dial 211 from any phone to speak with a referral specialist 24 hours a day about community resources and any service needs you may have. Available in English and Spanish. 211
- Spanish version: Food Pantries and Meal Programs in Topeka/Shawnee County updated October 2022
- CRC quick reference to emergency rent/utility help, food & clothing, health & dental, etc. in both English and Spanish.
- Family Service & Guidance Center Spanish page – Mental Health Services for Shawnee County, ages 17& under
- el Seguro Social (Social Security)
- Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC)(click on flags to change language)
- Kansas Department for Children and Families Self-Service Portal (click on menu in upper left to choose Language – Spanish)
- Meals on Wheels (Spanish Language Website)
- Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas – La Luz Center for Legal Assistance
- Cover Kansas Health Insurance Marketplace (Spanish Language Website)
- Community Action, Inc. (Spanish website through Google Translate)
- Shawnee County Health Department (select Language – Spanish in Google Translate at bottom of the page)
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!