First things first.

And when things get worse?

Kitsap Regional Library wants to be ready.

Officials with the countywide library system have launched discussions about what to do now, and what’s to come, should the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) expand into Kitsap.

Jill Jean, director of Kitsap Regional Library, said efforts are being taken to reduce risks of the potential spread of COVID-19 in KRL facilities.

“Right now we are just taking a kind of wait-and-see tactic and then preparing a policy should things get worse,” Jean said.

“We’re making sure our buildings are clean and we’re allowing people to have antibacterial wipes to wipe down computers, as well as our facilities staff, to really help keep things cleaner,” she added.

Libraries are popular community gathering spaces, and here in Kitsap County, Kitsap Regional Libraries is no exception. KRL has nine community library locations and last year, the library system had 1,096,915 visitors.

“The leadership team for Kitsap Regional Libraries is looking at right now — should things worsen — we would begin a process where we would have minimum staffing levels in place, prioritization of services, what to do with employee absences, and just talking how we can continue to operate with limited staff, services, and hours, that might be necessary for several weeks or more,” she said.