Primary tabs
You don't need to be an ALA Member to purchase from the ALA Store, but you'll be asked to create an online account/profile during the checkout to proceed. This Web Account is for both Members and non-Members. Note that your ALA Member discount will be applied at the final step of the checkout process.
If you are Tax-Exempt, please verify that your account is currently set up as exempt before placing your order, as our new fulfillment center will need current documentation. Learn how to verify here.
- Description
- Table of Contents
- About the authors
- Reviews
Sharing lessons learned and barriers overcome, this book will spur you towards new ways of serving your patrons during unprecedented times.
When the pandemic suddenly forced many public libraries to close their doors or limit patron access, library staff redoubled their efforts to serve their communities in every way possible. Demonstrating their resilience by quickly pivoting to new modes of service, public libraries are continuing to offer innovative yet practical ways to connect patrons to the information and services they need and enjoy. Offering real-life examples of what it means to be a 24/7 library, this collection from the Public Library Association (PLA) and ALA Editions shares how several libraries transitioned to virtual and socially-distanced services. No matter your library’s current situation or outlook for the future, you’ll be inspired to adapt their ideas to suit the needs of your own organization. Among the initiatives and topics explored are
- homebound delivery;
- citizen science programs;
- virtual reference advice;
- services to small businesses;
- remote readers' advisory and book chats;
- early literacy storytimes;
- health services outreach;
- tech guidance for patrons;
- wifi hotspot lending; and
- tips for social media and marketing.
Introduction: The Anytime, Anywhere Library
Chapter 1 Fostering Local Community During a Global Pandemic
Shaun Briley
Chapter 2 Engaging Your Community with Digital Author Events
Stesha Brandon
Chapter 3 Providing a Seamless Virtual Reference Experience
Lauren Seegmiller
Chapter 4 A Genealogy Library in The Pandemic Age
Cheryl A. Lang
Chapter 5 Hotspot Lending During a Pandemic
Suzanne Wulf
Chapter 6 Moving Health and Wellness Online at Your Library
Bobbi L. Newman
Chapter 7 Community Can Happen Anywhere
Kate Hall & Christophe Andersen
Chapter 8 Triage Librarianship and Reader’s Advisory
Paige Knotts, Sarah Lane, & Stephanie Fruhling
Chapter 9 Improving Accessibility in Virtual Programs and Services
Carrie Banks & Barbara Klipper
Chapter 10 Storytime in the Summer of COVID-19
Suzanne DeKeyzer James
Chapter 11 The Genealogy Roadshow: Using Partnerships to Enhance Virtual Programming Offerings
DeeDee Baldwin
Chapter 12 Moving Job Skills and Career Readiness Online
Ashley Welke
Chapter 13 Serving Older Adults During a Worldwide Pandemic
Allan M. Kleiman & Fatima Perkins
Chapter 14 Never Let A Crisis Go to Waste: Removing Customer Barriers During COVID-19
Cordelia Anderson
Chapter 15 Helping Students Succeed During COVID-19
Cindy Mediavilla
Chapter 16 Panic, Pivot, & Press Play: Launching Virtual Services for Businesses and Nonprofits
Gillian Robbins & Caitlin Seifritz
Chapter 17 Early Literacy Services During Library Closures
Rachel Payne & Jessica Ralli
Chapter 18 Tech Support in Public Libraries During the COVID-19 Shutdown
Luke Thompson
Chapter 19 Moving Book Clubs and Advisory Online
Becca Boland
Chapter 20 The Connecting Power of Social Media
Tiffany Breyne
Chapter 21 Continuing Cultural Inclusivity Programming During COVID-19
Nicanor Diaz, Virginia Vassar Aggrey, & Naghem Swade
Chapter 22 Walk This Way: Service Design for Clarity in A Disaster
Jeffrey Davis
Appendix: Understanding Your Library’s Impact: Assessment and Evaluation of Virtual Services
About the Contributors
Index
"Library staff and managers will find helpful ideas for programs and service delivery that can be implemented not just for lockdown but also for 24/7, remote and specialized services ... There is a lot to learn from the pandemic experience, and this book is recommended for its practical approach and as a record of how libraries responded to communities in need, providing evidence that libraries are still relevant, are nimble, responsive and agile."
— Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association
"This resource will provide valuable insight on navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic."
— Choice
"The circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic were difficult, challenging, and in many cases, tragic, but for libraries across the country, they led to innovative and creative ways to maintain current services and develop new ones for their patrons. ... This book is valuable for several reasons. First, it serves as a historical record of how libraries were able to move quickly to maintain services and support their patrons during one of the greatest challenges in recent history. Documenting the commitment of libraries and librarians to serve their communities is also important."
— Catholic Library World