Health guidelines made large gatherings impossible. Each year, the NEA Big Read: Wichita kick off draws hundreds of people to the Library for two hours of art and cultural programming. Staff needed to figure out a method to provide a quality kickoff celebration and safe book pick up process for the already postponed Big Read program while keeping health and safety guidelines at the forefront. The result: an hour-long "variety show" kick off broadcast on a local TV station, and a drive through book pickup.

The Library had one month to conceptualize, film, edit and submit an hour-long variety show to KPTS, Wichita's PBS station. The program consisted of a history of the Big Read in Wichita, book talk, companion titles exploration, harp performances, loom weaving and a cooking demonstration. Local news anchor Annette Lawless served as emcee and Mayor Brandon Whipple and then Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers provided special messages. At the end of the program, the Library announced a drive through pickup.

The virtual kick off was a great way for the Library to highlight community artists, and partner organizations that traditionally work behind the scenes. Nearly 1,300 households viewed the televised kick off, and 250 people picked up a book. The library received positive comments on social media. Customers especially praised the drive through book pickup. This process was a safe way for customers to get a Big Read book and begin reading so they could participate in programs.