To our clients, partners, and associates:

Yes, Backstage Library Works is open for business, though with a few modifications.

If you have questions about your project, you can always contact your project manager or account representative for the most up-to-date news. If you are unsure who to contact, please call 1.800.288.1265 or email info@bslw.com, and we’ll connect you with someone who can help.

On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania extended the state's stay-at-home order to include Northampton and Lehigh Counties. Backstage temporarily closed its Bethlehem offices, maintaining a minimal presence at the building to monitor security and to receive packages. The statewide stay-at-home order was relaxed in phases on a county and regional basis. Backstage carried out a phased reopening in April and May.

Our offices in Provo, Utah, have remained open with a reduced number of staff in the building.

Our account representatives, product managers, project managers, and other staff continue to serve you, with many of us working remotely. Backstage catalogers and technicians are still engaged in production on client projects.

On-site projects have resumed, and our teams stand ready to serve if your facilities can accommodate us.

PEOPLE FIRST

As we monitor the coronavirus situation, Backstage is following guidelines from the CDC and other government and public health authorities, working with our local communities to curb the spread of the virus and flatten the curve of COVID-19 infection.

The safety of our employees and clients is our most important goal.

We are continuing production as we implement preventive measures, which include:

• Providing masks and requiring their use.
• Using a thermometer to screen people for fever as they enter the building.
• Sanitizing work areas and common areas more than usual.
• Practicing additional handwashing and hand sanitizer use.
• Extending sick leave options.
• Requiring those with any symptoms to stay home.
• Increasing space and physical barriers between people.
• Staggering schedules to facilitate social distancing.
• Encouraging staff to work remotely if they can.
• Expanding our technology infrastructure to allow more remote work.
• Limiting outside visitors.
• Canceling travel plans.
• Meeting virtually instead of in person, both internally and with clients.

YOUR MATERIALS AND DATA

As always, access to our buildings is secure and monitored. Your materials are securely stored and tracked throughout the process of digitizing, microfilming, or cataloging them.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the novel coronavirus does not remain viable for long on dry surfaces like cardboard. Packages are not a vector of concern for spreading the virus. It is safe for you and for us to send, receive, handle, open, and process boxes of books, newspapers, archival materials, microfilm, and hard drives.

If you are expecting materials from us but cannot receive shipments right now, please let us know. We can retain your materials until you are able to take them.

We are receiving shipments at both our Utah and Pennsylvania locations. You can still upload data to our systems. If you use our van service to ship your materials, we can still schedule trips for pickup and delivery.

TIMELINES

Once your project is in our production queue, you can expect your project manager to send you a weekly update. This has not changed. Watch for those weekly emails and please let us know if you aren’t receiving them.

Public health guidelines can change quickly, so we are making plans to minimize any potential delays. At present, we plan to continue production and adhere to project timelines wherever we can. Your project manager will reach out if your schedule is affected.

If your project’s timeline is flexible, please let us know. If you are working with critical deadlines, such as a funding cutoff at the end of a fiscal year, please keep us informed. We’ll do everything we can to keep you on track.

We understand that disruptions may arise from preventive measures taken by your institution or your local government. If you are concerned about how conditions on your end will affect a project’s start, shipping or delivery of your materials, processing of paperwork or payments, or any other issue, know that we are willing to be flexible and adapt to the realities of a changing situation. Take care of urgent matters first, then catch up with us. We’ll be here.

If there is anything we can do for you, please let us know.

PLANNING NEXT STEPS

Our account managers will continue to reach out to help in preparing price quotes and planning out workflows. In place of a busy travel schedule to see clients and attend conferences, we’re lining up virtual visits.

For some of you, this is the worst possible moment to have a vendor ask for time on your overloaded calendar. We understand if responding to us isn't a priority just now.

For others, days spent in a nearly empty library or working from home will be a break from the usual routine, providing an opportunity to consider new initiatives and future projects. Let’s explore the possibilities together.