Libraries Respond to COVID-19: Massachusetts Edition

There’s no way to sugarcoat the loss of public libraries as destinations for Adam and me. Most weeks, we would visit five or even ten - and loved every minute of it. As much as we appreciate the physical space of libraries, we recognize it is the library workers - and the resources, programs, and services they provide - that make these places so special. In the face of COVID-19, we have been reaching out to libraries to hear how they are continuing to serve their communities even while their doors are closed to the public. We thought it would be helpful to share some of the things we’re hearing and learning.

You can hear us discuss this issue on WGBH.

Online story time!

There are some things that many libraries are doing. For example, most have moved storytimes online and are doing them on Facebook, YouTube, Zoom, or the like. While the live streaming sessions may not always get a ton of views, the videos themselves get lots of views after the fact and that’s awesome. Another thing many libraries are doing is to purchase more licenses for digital resources like Libby and Hoopla - and these are getting used a lot (Adam is having fun reading and listening to the Beastie Boys Book at the same time)! Finally, most libraries were already leaving their wifi connections on 24/7, but more have jumped on the bandwagon, and some have gone a step further by boosting their signals to make it easier for people to get online. All totally awesome and valuable.

We’ll start with some of the libraries in the greater Boston area and then move around the state.

Greater Boston

Like many libraries, the Boston Public Library has suspended its in-person services. Since closing its doors, the library has issued more than 20,000 online library cards to residents across Massachusetts and is lending more than 70,000 ebooks every week. The library and the Boston Public Library Fund also launched “Books for Boston,” a program that has put more than 2,000 new physical books into the hands of readers in underserved or isolated communities. The BPL is doing this in conjunction with local booksellers, so the program offers twin benefits to the city and its residents. 

The Cambridge Public Library is doing “The Hope Storytelling Project.” Participants learn to appreciate different types of poems and to write poetry, share their poems and connect with their community during this period of isolation. This is a virtual series of five bi-weekly workshops all focused on the theme of hope.

Many libraries are working hard to make sure their communities have accurate and current information on the coronavirus. Given libraries’ role as a trusted source of information, this is so important. In Framingham, the public library has taken things a step further. Working with the Mayor’s Office and the city’s Callahan Senior Center, they have created a Framingham Public Library “Senior Call Center.” The mission is to reach out to ensure seniors have the information they need on COVID-19, and to provide a connection for people in isolation. The library has also repurposed its 3D printers to make PPE components, which are sent to MakeIt Labs in Nashua for manufacturing and then on to Lowell Makes for distribution to health care workers.

The Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood has a terrific digital book garden. What is a digital book garden? Well, around the building, you will find small signs with the name of a book and a QR code. Point your phone at the code and you’ll be able to download the title, just like that. The library has placed these in other open spaces around the town. In a conversation the other day, they referred to it as their “QRantine Garden” and it’s a pretty apt description! Overall, they have seen a doubling of their digital resources since things were locked down. 

A few of the QR titles at the Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood.

Woburn is one of our favorite libraries in Massachusetts. In part because of the awesome space, but even more due to its awesome people and the materials, services, and programs they offer. The Woburn Public Library has totally risen to the occasion with a whole bevy of new services and offerings. The first is a new cooking show - Cooking with One Hand Live - featuring David Vos of Cooking with One Hand fame. The first episode appeared on May 12 and it will continue for the next month or more - with a fun Facebook group seeing activity.

The other is the library’s effort to document the pandemic. Public libraries are often the best-equipped institutions to collect materials and memories associated with COVID-19. The Woburn Public Library is tapping its Digital Scrapbook program, its existing Front Porch Photos initiative, and elements from the forthcoming city-wide digital time capsule. They are also asking local businesses for feedback to get a sense of the economic impact on the community. Ultimately, all of this information will be housed on a new, stand-alone website.

The South Coast, Cape, and the Islands

Like a lot of libraries, the Pembroke Public Library is doing virtually everything - or is that doing everything virtually? In either case, there are virtual visits with a therapy dog, poetry workshops, book clubs, cookbook clubs, knitting, languages, trivia, and more. The library is also providing resource packets for students that are being distributed through the Pembroke Public Schools.

The Friends of the Scituate Public Library have generously emptied their book sale shelves and library workers have used these books to stock (and restock!) a “Little Free Library” outside the library’s front door. This has proven to be really popular with people who can’t access digital resources or prefer print materials.

At the Somerset Public Library, they are also hosting a “Little Free Library” outside their doors. In addition, staff members have been recording videos of them reading to their pets and encouraging kids to do the same!

One of the things we love about the Woods Hole Public Library is its commitment to engaging the community through the arts. Every year, the library holds a community-wide art project, where they provide materials anyone can take and use, bringing their creation back to the library to share with others. This year, the material will be old card catalog cards. Another way the library is bringing arts to the community is through “bird bombing.” Don’t worry - no feathered friends were harmed in the process! One of the library workers has been sewing small stuffed birds and placing them around the village, at the library, and in some homes. It’s a sweet little project that has lifted spirits in these difficult times.

Bird-bombing, a wonderful way to brighten the days!

Central Massachusetts

The Fitchburg Public Library has placed free books (and increasingly hard-to-find puzzles!) outside the library for people to take home. One nice development is that members of the community have been restocking the shelves from their own collections. Beyond making materials available, the library’s crafter has created a set of how-to videos for making crafts out of everyday items from around the house. The videos are being shared on the First Lady of the Commonwealth and Massachusetts Libraries’ Video Library - which has a ton of awesome content from around the state.

The Lawrence Library in Pepperell is always doing fun and awesome things. Beyond being the only free wifi in the community, the library has also produced some pretty nice content. One of the nicest may be their virtual quilt show, which is up in the library’s gallery but not currently open to the public. They have started offering online gaming, where patrons can play Words with Friends and Nintendo games with the staff.

We visited the Leominster Public Library back in the fall and were really impressed. They are doing great things for their community now as well. Not only do they offer free wifi in the parking lot, but they have also installed wifi hotspots at both the Senior Center and the Veteran’s Center. Each Wednesday, the Library Storyline (978-534-7522 x3614) features a library staff member reading a short picture book. The library is also putting together “care packages” of books and activities that are being made available through the public schools’ free meal distribution sites. As of mid-May, nearly 700 packages have been handed out!

Western Massachusetts

The Lenox Library is posting historical “Where is it Challenge” photos of Lenox on Facebook and inviting people to identify the locations. The library is also providing Lenox library cardholders at-home access to Ancestry Library Edition for a limited time.

At the Forbes Library in Northampton, they are making it super easy for patrons to share their stories of living in these unprecedented times. A simple Google Form is being used to collect responses - and many of them will be added to the library’s Local History Collection.

Statewide

In addition to the programs and resources being provided by individual libraries, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) launched a centralized Online Library Events Calendar of virtual library programming happening around the state. The Massachusetts Library System website has been updated with tools and best practices for public libraries operations during our pandemic. 

 We know there’s way more going on here in Massachusetts (and elsewhere) as libraries to continue to serve their communities in the face of COVID-19. If you’d like to share what you’re seeing in your town or city, drop us a line and we’ll try to highlight it in the future!

Until next time, library friends, be well!