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Helping Where We Can

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Helping Where We Can

Toledo Lucas County Public Library

Advocacy & Awareness | 2021

Innovation Synopsis

The library's goal throughout the pandemic was “to be helpful where we can” while keeping staff and the community safe. We had a particular focus on supporting underserved neighborhoods and addressing inequities in vaccine sign up and testing availability.

Challenge/Opportunity

With stay-at-home orders in effect, TLCPL still wanted to serve our customers. In the early days of the pandemic, we helped other organizations including creating masks and supporting logistics. When we could re-open, we focused on advancing equitable vaccine sign-up. Making sure everyone has access to technology resources is always a key part of our mission and never more so than when not having access could lead to dire health outcomes.


Key Elements of Innovation

In the early COVID-19 days, TLCPL produced face shield supplies with our 3-D printers, served as homemade mask drop-off sites, shared vehicles with the Health Department and helped with the county's V-Project. With 19 neighborhood locations, we had an unmatched level of computer access where people could register for the vaccine and helpful staff to assist. We hosted mobile vaccine clinics and distributed rapid tests. All while keeping staff and the community safe by following our 30+page staff-driven Safe Work Playbook.


Achieved Outcomes

The county's V-Project goal is vaccinating 70% of Toledo residents. As of October 25, 2021, 53.65% are vaccinated. TLCPL helped more than 1,000 people sign up for vaccines and hosted 21 mobile vaccine clinics. We distributed nearly 20,000 At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits, one of the state’s highest amounts. We produced hundreds of face shields and collected more than 2,000 homemade masks. The Safe Work Playbook protocol kept staff COVID-19 cases in the single digits and served as a model for other organizations.