Libraries, COVID 19: A YEAR LATER

 This is a difficult subject to approach because emotions run high on both sides of the political spectrum.   As an advocate of public libraries and a professional as well,  it's time to break the silence in order to clarify some misconception about COVID and libraries.   A year ago,  many librarians had no clue, just as the rest of the nation,  that the pandemic would last over a year.  At worst, it was believed the our libraries would be closed for a month or two.  Then everything would return to normal. That was obviously not the case, especially in states like Michigan, where libraries and librarians were declared as "non-essential" businesses and workers.  It made for an interesting year with challenges that were never faced before and hopefully never to be faced again in our lifetime.  Now that we have faced the  'anniversary" of this dreaded disease, it's time to take stock of what we have learned and how to move forward. 

    A very real concern for many librarians on furlough is whether there will be a job to return to after so many months away.  When the government that  employs and supports libraries and librarians,  by their actions, states  that libraries and librarians are non-essential it has stabbed this sector in the back.   Library directors had to follow the mandates whether they liked it or not.  Library boards also had the face the reality that revenue from property taxes were most likely going to dwindle  due to Busienss closures, home foreclosures and unemployment.  In other words,  it was a no win situations.  Not for the libraries.  Not for the workers.  Most definitely not for the community.  A triple threat to endangering a community. 

    For library staff, this particular year has been more than challenging in many ways.  What was once considered a stable job is now questionable.  For example, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)  for the period of 2019-2029,  library job projections is expected to grow 5%, which is faster than average for all occupations. This did not factor in the pandemic obviously.  The reality of the job market for Librarians in the United States before the pandemic were they many who were underemployed, working only part-time or on contractual basis. This number doesn't fit with the rosy number put out by OOH,  but at least these librarian had a job.  Since the pandemic,  there are more furloughed workers than there are full time workers in libraries.   

    We've established that there was a huge job loss in libraries, but that wasn't all that libraries lost this past year.   Story times,  material checkout,  internet access,  and a host of other services that library patrons relied upon, especially in the urban and rural setting were gone.  The digital divide became even greater during the pandemic because not everyone had the access to home internet.  The library's main mission is to provide information and act as the community gathering space.   This led to libraries finding ways to offer services such as curbside pickup, virtual programming and door to door library materials delivery, proving without a doubt that not only did the community still rely on libraries, they are essential as well.  It was back to the drawing board to re-imagine how librarians and the community could connect again.  Furloughed and unemployed librarians found creative means to stay in touch with the libraries' community as well.  Neighborhood story times on the front lawn and writing blogs, were just a few ways of keeping busy.    This has been the moment like never before to promote libraries, be proactive  and  provide the resources as best as we could to help make communities feel connected. 

    All of this leads to the $200 Million question:  Should this really be part of the COVID relief package?  Have politicians gone out of their mind with a spending spree?  In a normal year,  the answer would have been no and yes, respectively.  This isn't a normal year.  Not by a long shot.  So the answer today is Yes it should be in the COVID package and when it comes to libraries no the politicians have not lost their mind.  The money that will be allocated to libraries will cover many areas,  not only where property taxes will be lax but it will also help to enhance library operations and services which include but not limited to  access to technology, digital networks, connectivity,  hotspots, mobile digital labs, enhancing workforce development and jobseeker programing  and support library staff with training and assistance with safely handling materials.   This money will be spread out to all libraries in the United States. Big or small.  Rural or Urban.  Public or School.  Each one of the libraries are important and need to be supported. 

    For a year, the libraries of America have been too quiet.  Communities need their libraries open because everyone is "essential"  but the most important is that the need to be "reconnected" to the world beyond our front door.  This begins at the library.  Libraries are not just about books they are about helping communities grow and learn.   A year has gone by,  we can't afford to lose another year.    An entire year has gone by,  let's make this coming year the best comeback we could imagine for our libraries.  For our communities.  For our Country. 

                                           Pre-pandemic:  hanging with Pete the Cat

                Communities large and small need libraries programs for children & adults