Libraries that are nailing this COVID-19 thing

Libraries Are Nailing It

This list was assembled by Sara Zettervall over the weekend, so it is by no means comprehensive. It focuses on library system responses. Ongoing public Facebook thread at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ALAthinkTANK/permalink/3685261464879980/ 

For more information from individuals in libraries (more locations than what’s here!) and also library systems around the world (quite literally–Germany, Lithuania, Ireland, UK, more) see this Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/clauersen/status/1245632546676736002 

Oceanside Library, Garden City, NY

https://www.liherald.com/stories/oceanside-library-remains-vital-community-resource-online-during-coronavirus-pandemic,123604

• Teleconferenced with staff from all levels to brainstorm and plan
• “The library now hosts six to 10 online programs per day, including story times, lectures, exercise classes, teen readings, book chats, book discussions, poetry readings, TED talk discussions and more.”
• Staff and contracted program presenters continue to be paid
• NNLM webinar about their work open to all on Thursday this week: https://nnlm.gov/class/providing-virtual-programming-health-crisis/23903 

BIBLIO Network of the Laurentians, Québec, Canada

https://www.mabiblioamoi.ca/fr 

• Staff member on Facebook: “We set up a system for temporary cards for our sixty towns that are member since all the libraries are closed until at least May 1st and so everyone can access our eresources. We publicised it via FB and it went viral and my library techs are manning our réponseatout 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to help people get their cards, passwords and tech support.”

The Blue Mountains Public Library, Thornbury, ON, Canada

https://www.thebluemountainslibrary.ca/

• Staff member on Facebook: “Our CEO has been wonderful through this whole thing. We are providing virtual service and adding videos on Facebook and Instagram. I do a Wired Wednesday video each week teaching tech to seniors.”

Denville Public Library, NJ

https://www.denvillelibrary.org/explore/children/virtual-programming/

• Multiple virtual offerings daily–see schedule in link

Gawler Public Library, Australia

https://gawlerpubliclibrary.wordpress.com/

• Moved all of their programming online, promotion through Facebook and the blog above
• Launching extended school holiday program, Stream@Home

Mesa County Libraries, Grand Junction, CO

https://guides.mesacountylibraries.org/covid19/home

• Example of extensive COVID-19 resources page with local information for daily needs

Milwaukee Public Library, WI

http://mpl.org/

• Staff member on Facebook: “Here’s a bunch of online resources we’re promoting, plus we’re starting Virtual Community Wisdom Circles with our teen patrons on a bi-weekly basis starting April 14th via the Zoom platform. So excited to be a part of this process!”

Porter County Public Library, Valparaiso, IN

https://www.pcpls.org/ 

• Message to the community from the whole staff of the library on home page
• Virtual events 6 days a week including storytime, crafts, and other all-ages activities

San Antonio Public Library, TX

http://guides.mysapl.org/here4u 

• Special “here for you” page includes comprehensive recommendations for digital access, entertainment, and learning in Spanish and English

St. Louis County Public Library, MO

https://www.stltoday.com/news/multimedia/pictures/free-diapers-and-meals-for-kids-given-out-at-st-louis-county-libraries/collection_694f30c8-b645-5e7c-a268-3cfaf105b6d2.html#12

• Partnerships use library to distribute basic goods (e.g., food & diapers)

Topeka &  Shawnee County Public Library, KS

https://tscpl.org/

• COVID-19 info forefront on home page
• Series of articles written by library staff about how they are using digital resources during this time

Toronto Public Library, Canada

https://twitter.com/JennValentyne/status/1246048298479366144

• With 30% of Toronto area food banks closed, library and nonprofit partner to create pop-up food banks
• Also loaning out 3D printers to support creation of PPE: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/covid-19-using-3d-to-make-ppe/

Ventura County Public Library, CA

https://www.vencolibrary.org/youth/virtual-storytimes

• Storytimes every weekday plus a bilingual storytime once a week

Westlake Porter Public Library, OH

https://www.westlakelibrary.org/

• Resources for sheltering in place featured on home page
• Live and recorded programs/content across multiple platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter)