When in-person programming was canceled due to COVID-19, Anythink knew it was important to continue the organization’s work in supporting families. Staff worked with other schools and organizations to learn more about the most effective ways to reach students and caregivers across the county. This provided an opportunity for staff to adapt programming for new platforms and experiences.

Anythink created videos to reach key library audiences, which were posted online. This included a popular weekly live interactive storytime. The library also adapted its annual summer experience program, mySummer, by directly mailing journals to families. These journals were accompanied with prompts and online videos encouraging active creative engagement and early literacy opportunities. Take-home activity kits were also created and distributed through community partners like schools and local food banks.

Online videos created by staff received more than 72,000 combined views from March to August 2020, reaching both current customers and new audiences. Through direct mail and distribution via local organizations and food banks, Anythink was able to deliver more than 4,700 mySummer learning journals to families across the district. Anythink also heard directly from a number of families who expressed joy and delight at being able to connect with the staff members they know and appreciate.