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D9
Severe Weather Closing Policy
Approved: 02/27/2014
Revised: 1/24/2024

In accordance with its commitment to serve the public, the Ypsilanti District Library maintains a regular schedule of hours and rarely closes for severe weather. YDL is an independent entity, and does not automatically close when other local institutions, such as schools, close.

The library’s first priority will always be the safety of its staff and patrons. The decision to close, close early, or delay the opening of the library system or one of its branches will be made by the Library Director or designee, based upon one or more of the following circumstances:

  • Severe weather and/or road conditions that cause hazardous traveling, such as significant snow or ice accumulation, extreme (subzero) temperatures, or blizzard/other visibility conditions;
  • Availability of sufficient staff to operate the library;
  • Failure of vital building services, such as heat or air conditioning, extended power failure, or the condition of a building and/or its equipment;
  • A general health or safety emergency in a YDL municipality;
  • A formal state of emergency declaration from a municipality within the service district, or from Washtenaw County.

Emergency closings are announced to the public as broadly as possible given the circumstances of the emergency. Communications will be made via the YDL website, social media channels, press announcements, the YDL phone system, and – when possible – physical signage on buildings.

In the event of a closing, the Library Director and Assistant Director will utilize the YDL “closing tree” to notify the Library Board, department managers, and Washtenaw Literacy and the Friends of YDL representatives. Managers and the partner organizations will notify impacted employees/volunteers, as well as any scheduled contractors or presenters.

Unless contacted by a supervisor, all employees should assume the library is open and arrive on time for their scheduled shift.

If the library closes due to severe weather or another emergency situation, all permanent staff will be paid for the time they were scheduled to work. No “snow day pay” will be provided to subs, staff who were not scheduled to work, or staff who previously scheduled PTO. Regular staff who work fewer than 20 hours/week (Pages, Interns, etc.) may make up hours within the pay period provided there is work to be done.

Should only some of YDL’s locations close, scheduled staff may be reassigned to another building or department. If the Bookmobile is pulled from its regularly scheduled route, Outreach staff may be reassigned to another department or building and are not automatically eligible for “snow day pay.”

Library materials will not be due on days that the library system closes, nor will any fines or fees for materials or room rentals be assessed.