The New Jersey Library Association is calling on Gov. Phil Murphy to ensure that all public and academic libraries closed to the public due to the coronavirus should also mean no staff working there.

A letter sent to Murphy's office on Tuesday by the association's president, Jen Schureman Brenner, and executive director, Pat Tumulty, said while libraries were closed, library staff were still required to report to work at more than 30 libraries.

"The facilities must be closed, and all staff should remain at home until the crisis passes. COVID-19 is an unfortunate and unanticipated situation and library staff should not be required to use personal or sick time, especially since self-quarantining is the most effective way to flatten the curve," the letter states.

Among libraries cited as having staff come to work were the Maurice Pine Free Public Library in Fair Lawn, Montclair State University's Harry A. Sprague Library, Rider University's library and Old Bridge Public Library.

The letter noted that since libraries receive hundreds of visitors a week, employees “may have unknowingly been exposed to the virus on numerous occasions” and “should be required to stay home."

Montclair State University has not been immune to the coronavirus, as at least three employees have tested positive. The school said Thursday that "all instructional, consultative, and research activities by librarians will move to online, and the librarians will be working remotely from home."

Dave Hanson, the executive director of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System, said Thursday he did not know what libraries had staff still working in them.

"From what I understand, most library personnel are either working from home or are transitioning to that model," Hanson said. "It's very much a library-by-library basis in terms of who's in there." He said any on-site staff would usually be one or two people to receive deliveries or catch up on other work.

Fair Lawn Mayor Kurt Peluso said he could not confirm if there were employees working in them since an independent board of trustees oversees the library's operations.

Fair Lawn has nine presumptive positive cases of the COVID-19 virus, according to the borough.

A spokesperson from Murphy's office said it would not comment on the matter of the libraries.

Ricardo Kaulessar is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com Twitter: @ricardokaul