Drive-Thru Services
St. Louis County Library, Mo.
Innovation Synopsis
St. Louis County Library has transformed into a major regional convener due to its engagement in the community and the myriad of partnerships it maintains, providing meaningful resources to the community. During the COVID-19 shutdown, the library expanded or formed new novel partnerships to support the health/hygiene needs of the community.
Challenge/Opportunity
With our partners, SLCL supports the community in times of crisis. The library is a member of a number of regional committees, including one working on food insecurity issues. During the COVID closure, SLCL opened its parking lots to provide Wi-Fi access and to allow library staff to distribute food and other critical need resources to the community. The need for food, diapers, period products, hygiene products, eyeglasses and books was addressed three times a week at 10 library branches in areas with the greatest need.
Key Elements of Innovation
The success of this format brought:
- Meals for kids (Operation Food Search)
- Meals for all (STL Attorneys Against Hunger)
- Diapers/period products (STL Area Diaper Bank/STL Alliance for Period Supplies)
- Produce (MetroMarket)
- Books (nonprofits)
- Hygiene kits (Little Bit Fdn.)
- Eyeglasses (Eye Thrive)
- Activity kits (MO Envr. Ed. Assoc.)
- Family resource info (Ed.Plus)
- Gun locks (Lock It for Love)
- TP (grocer)
- PPE, produce, family meals, STEM crafts (OFS with CARES Act $)
- Masks (STL Co. Gov.)
Achieved Outcomes
Between March 27-July 13, SLCL has provided an astonishing 900,000 meals — over 40x the number provided the previous school year. SLCL provided over 450,000 diapers and over 49,000 period supplies. In July 2020, the drive-thru service collaboration between SLCL, OFS and STL Area Diaper Bank earned Launchcode’s Moonshot Award. Overall, St. Louis County Library distributed approximately 2 million products to area residents in an attempt to make the COVID-19 lockdown bearable for individuals in need.
