Libraries have adapted to challenges of pandemic
As an executive director and CEO of one of the largest public libraries in Illinois, serving almost 150,000 people, the pandemic of 2020 has brought many new challenges to our library.
For the past nine months, we have grappled with critical decisions of how to best serve our community but at the same time always striving to keep our staff and the public safe. It has not been easy and yet we have grown as an organization learning how to design new ways of delivering services and discovering talents that our staff never knew they had.
Librarians have turned into high-level performers in the world of virtual media. Graphic artists have become experts at editing, framing shots, adding music and how to get the most out of social media platforms. IT staff have had to pivot to support the technology requirements of many staff working from home. Facilities staff have been educated in all the ways of keeping buildings sanitized and safe.
And all the while, everyone doing all that we can to serve our community in the most effective way possible given the limiting circumstances.
During these nine months, our library buildings may have been closed for half of that time, but most of our services have been up and running since May. Our entire physical collections, craft kits for programs and free printing jobs are all available for pickup at our drive-up windows and curbside service 75 hours a week.
E-resources are available 24/7. The Bookmobile continues all routes, and staff serves the public through its windows. Librarians are available 71 hours a week to answer reference and research questions via phone, email and text.
The public can also make appointments for one-on-one Zoom meetings with a reference librarian. Home delivery is now available to anyone who lives in the library district. Library card registration can be done online and the card is ready for immediate use.
Our library also went fines free this spring to remove any impediment for a person to use their public library.
We have always had a very robust schedule of in-person programs and when the pandemic temporarily shut down this very popular library service, staff quickly transitioned to virtual programming. By becoming engaging storytellers, creating craft and cooking shows, leading book discussions, just to name a few, our staff is reaching a far wider audience.
It is not unusual to reach more than 20,000 people for one program. The staff already had experience in giving many of these programs, but now they have audiences in the hundreds and hundreds of children and adults eager to find an interactive experience. Their programs are no longer seen just once as they were when done in-person, but are recorded and can be viewed over and over again.
Presentation skills as well as technology competence are of utmost importance in delivering an engaging program.
I think public libraries are finally being recognized as an essential service during this pandemic, a recognition that was not given to us when this all started. People need their libraries for so many things, whether it be for education, recreation, life skills or cultural immersion, and going through a pandemic does not stop these needs. In fact, just the opposite happens because libraries promote a healthy lifestyle.
When this pandemic finally does dissipate, public libraries will still be doing everything they have previously done for their communities. But, things will look a little different. Drive-up windows will become the norm in all new library construction, virtual programming is here to stay, and outreach services will grow even more. And one thing is certain, a person will still be able to check out a book, take it home and enjoy reading it in front of a glowing fireplace.
• Carole Medal of Arlington Heights, is executive director of Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin and an Arlington Heights Library Board trustee.