When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Library buildings closed and services paused, and we found ourselves needing to suddenly communicate with patrons in new, urgent ways.
I was part of a management group tasked with quickly setting up communications platforms and plans in the first weeks of the pandemic. Among the tactics I spearheaded was the creation of an email newsletter to keep in touch with our patrons during uncertain times. The first edition included a friendly note to cardholders that provided updates about operations at that moment in the shutdown. We also highlighted a collection of digital library services to use from home.
Additionally, I proposed to leadership the idea of reaching out to our patrons by mail to not only inform them of the status of their materials holds and general Library services, but also invite them to contact us if they needed help navigating the early days of the pandemic. This took the form of a postcard I designed framed around the message “We may be apart, but we can stay connected.” The piece also included a cutaway bookmark with reminders about the digital services that were available and accessible.
I also led efforts to produce signage outside Library buildings to encourage patrons to visit our Digital Branch to access eBooks, streaming movies and music, audiobooks, and other online databases and resources during the physical closure. A collection of yard signs were placed around the property of each location to catch the attention of passers-by.
