With FCPL library doors closed and an official statewide mandate on March 27, 2020, by Governor Cooper for a COVID-19 Phase One shutdown for public spaces across North Carolina, the library worked with Forsyth County administrators and local health officials to prevent a staff furlough of 113 of the library's 135 positions and maintain To-Go and Virtual Library services. The community praised the library for offering continuous library services with contact-free options throughout the pandemic.

Certification of 72-hour quarantine of materials and safe handling enabled the library to assure staff and customers that materials were being handled according to CDC guidelines. Close collaboration between Forsyth County and library administrators enabled the library to pivot quickly and develop contact-free services. Library staff were given daily updates as COVID-19 protocols developed and executive orders were issued by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.

Library customers welcomed the To-Go Library service and were highly complimentary of the library's efforts to maintain the provision of materials. Additional funds were allocated to downloadable e-books and e-audiobooks with a new link for online library card applications. A significant number of library users publicly cited the library as an essential resource in the community during the COVID-19 shutdown. The contact-free To-Go Library became the new Hold Shelf and will be continued even with libraries reopened.