First-round winner and ULC member Glendale Library, Arts & Culture launched their “Vaccine Influencer” initiative with the goal of training trusted community members to help grow vaccine confidence with their family, friends and coworkers. Vaccine Influencers were trained on evidence-based communication strategies, how to handle misinformation and the basics of how vaccines work.

"Glendale has trailed behind greater LA County in COVID-19 vaccination rates by about 10%," said Dr. Gary Shaffer, Director of Glendale Library, Arts & Culture. "Our part in helping on this issue was providing reliable, vetted information about vaccines in English, Armenian, and Spanish, along with training on the best ways to engage vaccine-hesitant loved ones. Participants in the training appreciated the inclusive, non-judgmental approach to sharing this important information."

Another first-round winner, the Central Arkansas Library System, used their grant to host ongoing free vaccine clinics at multiple library branches. CALS distributed free lunch, sweatshirts and blankets to those that got vaccinated and patrons could also celebrate getting vaccinated at a photo booth on site.

Mid-Continent Public Library joined the Communities for Immunity effort by hosting a virtual COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A program with three healthcare providers from the local University Health system. Following the program, the library shared a recording of the event on YouTube as well as a flyer with highlights from the event. Both the flyer and the video captions were translated into Spanish, Vietnamese, and Arabic. "At MCPL, our mission is to connect customers with high-quality information that can be used to enrich their lives, and these efforts are just one more way we’ve worked to accomplish this and support our community members." says Emily Becker, Community Relations Specialist.

ULC member Kansas City Public Library, a second-round winner, combined in-person approaches at multiple library branches and mailed materials to reach a large number of vaccine hesitant individuals in their region. In addition, the library is working to preserve and share the stories of previously vaccine hesitant individuals who were later vaccinated, translating materials into new languages, offering vaccine clinics at their branches and facilitating conversations between youth and medical professionals about the vaccine.

Jeni Starr, Kansas City Public Library's health and wellness specialist and member of its Community Reference team, shared:

"Through our partnership with KC CARE Health Center over 2,000 vaccine doses were delivered at library locations. The Communities for Immunities grant allowed us to enhance those efforts. While some of our locations experienced a significant decrease in vaccine demand over time, the location targeted in the direct mail campaign saw consistent and even increased vaccination demand. The library was proud to provide a trusted space for vaccination clinics, answer questions and concerns, develop plain language materials, arrange interpreting services, and support the health of our community."