The context for this book is the COVD-19 crisis in the United States, when in February–March 2020 libraries closed to in-person visits. The library community collectively took an ‘all-in-this-together approach’ and librarians took up the challenge to create good programming when it was impossible for people to make connections in libraries’ physical venues. In March 2020, 61% of public libraries reported expansion of their virtual programming (p. xiv).
This little book is a directory of programs conducted by US public libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Ninety programs are included, selected from submissions from over 700 librarians and other activities known to the ALA Public Programs Office, where the author works as the communications manager.
Most of the 90 programs are virtual, conducted via teleconferencing software or posted on social media. A few, indicated by a special icon in the book, are ‘analog programs’, in which libraries organised and presented programs by means of physical deliveries to homes, pick-up-and-take-home kits, window displays, and socially distanced activities. While many summaries indicate the popularity of the programs, sometimes with viewers/participants very widely dispersed, the author also makes the serious point that ‘going virtual’ did make explicit the ‘digital divide’ – millions of Americans could not access vital information when they needed it.
Subject matter covered by the programs is diverse. Book clubs, art and craft and gardening activities are included, as might be expected, but more unusual programs include sessions on the history of witchcraft, wildflower walks, ‘I Spy’ window displays, exploration of extremism, debunking fake news, and virtual interaction with therapy dogs.
The program summaries are presented in four sections: Learning, Conversation, Connection and Entertainment. The first three themes are derived from the ALA Public Program Office mission statement, to ‘empower libraries to create vibrant hubs of learning, conversation and connection in communities of all types’. The fourth theme, Entertainment, was added, as being critical to wellbeing. Each of the summaries is short (typically, about 200 words), consisting of library name, place and description of the program – what they did, what materials or approach they used, how it was delivered. Interspersed throughout the book are tips on best practice for virtual programs, such as measuring impact, how to facilitate virtual conversations, achieving inclusivity in virtual programming, and fair use copyright provisions. The eight-page index proves systematic access to the 74 pages of summaries, with index entries for program title, name of library delivering the program, state in which the program was delivered, names of person discussed or quoted in the summaries, and subject of program.
Virtual delivery of programs, given a great boost by COVID, will be a continuing focus of libraries as they support their communities and seek to engage new groups. This book is recommended as a source of ideas for program content and means of delivery, and as a record of innovative responses by libraries during a global crisis.