As COVID-19 reached our community, individuals in crisis, homeless populations, businesses and foreign language speakers found dealing with the details of the pandemic overwhelming. Salt Lake County prepared a coordinated response, and library staff were asked to redeploy as quarantine and isolation coordinators, drivers, vulnerable populations coordinators, business ambassadors, contract tracers, interpreters and mask fabrication coordinators to help. Our staff readily responded with a willingness to contribute.

Library staff with specialized knowledge and skills were redeployed to assist county agencies with critical needs. This satisfied two important objectives: supporting our community during a time of crisis and avoiding any furloughs or layoffs of merit employees. Several staff members were deployed to assist businesses navigating the challenge of finding resources to survive the closure and succeed beyond COVID-19. Library staff provided friendly support to assist with business owners’ concerns.

While COVID-19 was unanticipated, we were able to adapt our skillset to help the community during the closures. Library staff who were redeployed used their skills as library workers to assist residents affected by the coronavirus. If needed, library staff will be available to assist the county’s efforts in the future. While many staff found it challenging, their responses to their experiences were positive and rewarding.