The goal of the new software was to keep PPE supplies, necessary for staff to safely work with one another and serve the public, appropriately stocked. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. in March, TCCL closed to the public. Upon reopening for curbside service, a limited number of PPE was required. This need increased quickly, especially after reopening five locations for in-person express service. With a greater number of staff in the buildings, supplies needed refilling more frequently.

In 2019, TCCL’s IT department developed a database for tracking Reading Program inventory across 24 locations. To help staff stay safe during the pandemic, IT adapted this database to track PPE. Staff was familiar with the database’s functionality, so no training was required.

Features:

• Low-quantity thresholds generate email alerts
• Staff “receive” shipments in the database, to help track delivery items
• Includes a warehouse location representing undistributed inventory
• Inventory requests submitted for administrative approval

To keep staff/customers safe while using physical library services during the pandemic, tracking PPE across 24 locations became a vital need. By giving staff the ability to track their PPE easily, staff could feel more comfortable navigating customer service responsibilities knowing they’d have the equipment needed to stay safe. Staff could better promote safety procedures while serving customers by making hand sanitizer easily available and offering masks to those wanting to enter a library building without their own.