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The nation changed dramatically during March of 2020. In Texas, many schools were out for spring break when the threat of coronavirus became severe, causing broad event cancellations and closures of schools, gyms, businesses, and social activities. Libraries continued to serve the public throughout the crisis, with an abundance of online resources and learning opportunities, as well as other services. From mothers of preschoolers to job seekers and small business owners, community residents found learning activities, help, and hope at Piano Public Library. The pivot to virtual programming required quick engagement, enthusiastic staff, and a plan!
FROM IN-PERSON TO ONLINE
Piano Public Library (PPL) serves a dynamic and ethnically diverse suburban community of more than 285,000 north of Dallas, Texas. Before the pandemic, PPL welcomed an average of 4,000 people to our five locations each day and offered more than 300 programs per month. Once the library was closed because of COVID-19, library staff had to move quickly to continue providing programs patrons expected. Fortunately, we were already using video as a promotional and education tool, enabling the team to jump into online programming quickly. With video standards in place, and a few staff members prepared and available to film, PPL premiered its first Facebook Live storytime to 50 real-time viewers just five days later.
PPL persisted with daily storytimes, and library patrons flocked to the online content. Viewers offered suggestions, like getting closer to the books, which helped staff better film storytime content for viewers. Because of social-distancing measures, staff got creative with filming and editing to get closer to the content without getting closer to each other: setting up the camera in a fixed position for the entire storytime session (instead of moving back and forth) and using smooth zoom effects in video editing software. Patron participation continued to grow, and many of the storytime videos received more than 1,000 views per video. Patrons relayed their thanks via social media, appreciative for a touch of "normal" for their children during this unprecedented and stressful time.
Fourteen weeks later, PPL had hosted more than 220 virtual programs for children, families, teens, and adults, reaching almost 5,000 people.
Start with the Tried and True
How do you begin to offer programs online for the first...