In March, we closed our buildings and sent staff home due to the pandemic. After outfitting staff with necessary technology, we began to ask ourselves, “What can do even better right now? How can we use this opportunity to more fully position the library as a democratic cornerstone?” We considered community-specific challenges, the importance of the 2020 election and Census collection, and thought about our role in the public’s safety and well-being.

We worked with the Treasurer to open up three drive-through windows for taking payments, used a 3-D printer to manufacture face shields for first responders, and gathered Resource for Resilience for those needing health, unemployment and other critical information. The assistant director served as chair for the county’s Census Complete Count Committee, we set up Census and voter registration tents at various locations and the director hosted a virtual 19th Amendment Centennial program featuring a panel of local women.

From March to June, the Treasurer’s office served over 4,000 county residents via our drive-throughs, we produced 300 face shields for our first responders and we stayed on track with the response rate of the previous Census. Our HQ location is now under construction to create a permanent drive-through space for the Treasurer, some panelists are advising on E&I efforts and the press we’ve received from all efforts has raised the level of awareness of our value beyond our brick and mortar buildings.