As your needs change,
we change
On June 1, we began the second phase of our reopening plan, opening 13 branches for either drive-through window or curbside service six days a week. We secured PPE for our staff members and established comprehensive safety and cleaning protocols, including quarantining library materials between borrowers.
On July 6, we reopened all 27 branches to the public. In accordance with the guidance of public health officials, we required masks to be worn at all times, limited the number of people allowed in our buildings and reconfigured our spaces to encourage social distancing. At the same time, we expanded our curbside service to every location for customers who needed library materials, but were not yet comfortable entering our spaces.

Expanding Library2You access
During this phase of our plan, we also expanded the eligibility requirements for our Library2You delivery service for the homebound – making it possible for more county residents to take advantage of the service. By expanding the service, we were able to serve 179 new Library2You customers.
Feeding the Need
The Library partnered with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Baba’s Yard to distribute free food to those in need across Northeast Ohio — rain, snow or shine — at Library branches on a recurring basis throughout the year. These mobile pantry events proved exceedingly popular. On April 7, for example, the line of cars at the Parma-Snow Branch extended for a mile out of the parking lot. A total of 300 families received food on that day alone.
The Library also distributed food to families in the region through its annual Food4Fines campaign in March, in which customers reduced their fines by bringing in needed food items to their local branch.










Computer donation drive
More than 70,000 pounds of electronic equipment donated
Support for kids and parents
Each week during the “Imagine Your Story” Summer Reading Program, we presented a STEAM-related virtual challenge that students could try on their own. Each of these challenges were presented in collaboration with a different partner, such as NASA, Sherwin-Williams, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and others.

Personalized Picks
The pandemic drastically altered customers’ visiting and borrowing habits. To reconnect and curate a Library experience with those who weren’t visiting branches to browse materials, we launched a new service called Personalized Picks, which matches customers with materials — reading materials, DVDs and CDs — based on their answers to a few simple questions. Customers can access Personalized Picks by phone and online.