Due to the pandemic, families were not able to gather and were cut off from their support networks. Diaper need, which typically impacts one in three U.S. families, surged. Barriers to accessing the library increased, and CLP use declined. Brain development is most critical in the first three years of life. This would not change for babies born during the pandemic while their parents encountered new stressors. As stewards of the Best Books for Babies award and literacy experts, CLP sought new ways to serve beginning at birth.

CLP and WPDB hosted a drive-up Diaper Drop event. The selected location was in an area with heightened diaper and literacy need. Police presence, traffic cones and permits were secured to direct traffic. A hired moving company transported books, diapers and wipes to the event. Promotion included targeted social media and radio ads. Volunteers prepped diapers, wipes and a bundle of eight Best Books for Babies, materials from community partners serving babies and library and literacy information in a special bundle box.

Staff and volunteers welcomed cars for two hours and walk-ups for one. During the initiative, 342 families with babies ages zero to 18 months were given 2,736 books. Each family received two packs of diapers and one of wipes. Families were connected to sustainable sources of literacy and social services and diaper supplies. Afterwards, CLP connected to WPDB’s partners that regularly receive diapers. Extra book bundles were distributed through those channels, with 7,264 additional books distributed to date in 2021 through those partners.