National Library Week 2021, which took place during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, provided an opportunity to celebrate the contributions made by Kansas City Public Library staff under incredible circumstances. I came up with the concept of using the occasion to highlight the many ways the Library serves the community while also featuring photos of some of the people working to connect Kansas Citians to essential resources.
I designed a simple, printable sign template that was distributed to staff that had two possible prompts that they could choose to respond to: “KC Library serves by…” and “KC Library connects communities by…” Each person wrote an example of a service or resource – typically related to their job function – and then submitted a photo of them holding up their signs to a centralized digital folder I’d set up to collect entries. I wrote a short blog post that listed and linked to a number of Library services, and included the batch of submitted staff photos.
The story was included in various Library communications, such as newsletters and social media channels. During a time when the Library wasn’t fully open for in-person services, that year’s edition of National Library Week serves as a way to remind patrons of the many ways the Library continued to serve individuals and the greater community.
This post originally appeared on this page:
How Do Libraries Make an Impact? Let Us Catalog the Ways.
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Libraries are essential civic and cultural institutions in our society. They're gathering places, service providers, and hubs of learning, growth, and discovery. But beyond the buildings and tools, aside from the programs, databases, and, of course, books, it's the people who work at libraries who make them a transformative presence in communities.
As this year's National Library Week draws to a close, we're taking a moment to recognize the many ways the Kansas City Public Library — and specifically, our outstanding staff — strives to support and serve our city and its people. Despite the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, Library employees have continued working to ensure all Kansas Citians can access vital resources and opportunities. Even with public health-dictated limitations in our physical spaces, we’ve launched new services, reimagined existing ones, collaborated with area partners to respond to community needs, and done what libraries do best: help our patrons solve problems and seek solutions. That’s a product of the dedication, diligence, and drive of our Library team.
Below is just a sampling (or a list ... we love lists!) of the ways the Library impacts you and our community every day, with a collection of images of the people who directly deliver our services:
> Giving you the things you want to read, watch, or listen to — for FREE.
> Providing free internet access through our public computers or Wi-Fi hotspot lending service.
> Inspiring kids to learn and grow, and offering educational tools to parents.
> Connecting people in need with vital community resources.
> Connecting you with other book lovers.
> Helping you find your next job or start a business.
> Providing technology help and training.
> Suggesting your next great read.
> Introducing you to ideas and stories through free public events and activities.
> Preserving and sharing our history.
> Welcoming immigrants and refugees.
> Offering free access to news and information.
> Registering people to vote.
> Helping you live a healthy lifestyle.
> Giving you the things you want to read, watch, or listen to — for FREE.
> Providing free internet access through our public computers or Wi-Fi hotspot lending service.
> Inspiring kids to learn and grow, and offering educational tools to parents.
> Connecting people in need with vital community resources.
> Connecting you with other book lovers.
> Helping you find your next job or start a business.
> Providing technology help and training.
> Suggesting your next great read.
> Introducing you to ideas and stories through free public events and activities.
> Preserving and sharing our history.
> Welcoming immigrants and refugees.
> Offering free access to news and information.
> Registering people to vote.
> Helping you live a healthy lifestyle.
...and so much more.
To our Library team: Thank you for all you do to make the Kansas City Public Library a welcoming place for all. Your dedication makes a real difference in the lives of our patrons.
To our community: Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to continuing to serve you!
How does the Kansas City Public Library serve the community?
