The resiliency of the library system’s relationships was tested by the global pandemic when it was made aware of myriad needs of governmental agencies and NGOs. Such needs included: translators and interpreters; computer savvy staff to upload and process energy, rental and food assistance applications; children’s staff to be assigned to school classrooms to read books; locations to distribute food and house temporary staff; and computer hardware to assist organizations in expanding their ability to meet community needs.

Repurposing of spaces, technology and staff time involved flexibility at all levels of the organization and, similarly to community organizing, a willingness to meet organizations where they’re at. The Palm Beach County Library System doubled down on its mission to “connect communities, inspire thought, and enrich lives” by matching staff expertise, tech devices and physical space with specific organizational needs. As a result, the library proved that it is an essential part of countywide recovery.

Multilingual staff eliminated a backlog of 141 Spanish speakers waiting for SNAP benefit appointments and translated CARES Act documents. Library buildings became drop off locations for rental/energy assistance documents, which staff uploaded (600) and over 500 food assistance applications have been processed to date. Children’s staff read books in virtual classrooms to 1,492 children in May, laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots were lent to area agencies, and summer lunch began early in April as we served over 40,000 lunches.