Miami-Dade County faced the challenge of increasing numbers of COVID-19 positive residents coupled with many residents not having access or the ability to purchase facial coverings. Miami-Dade Libraries saw an opportunity to play an important role in meeting this challenge by utilizing our 50 library branches to distribute free facial coverings. In addition to playing a vital public health role in the county’s COVID-19 response, new relationships were forged with local health and emergency response agencies.

Miami-Dade County remains under local emergency orders requiring that masks be worn in most public places. Miami-Dade Libraries immediately recognized the necessity of leveling the playing field so that all county residents would have access to free masks, in turn providing them basic safety and protective equipment and ensuring their access to public spaces including the library. We partnered with agencies who had free masks for the public and made the masks readily available at 50 distribution points.

Miami-Dade Libraries have distributed approximately 85,000 facial coverings. Patrons have expressed gratitude for the service as our libraries respond to the safety needs of our communities. This initiative has expanded our library’s role as a resource and information center by providing items that are of a vital public safety and protective nature at a time when it's needed the most. The effort to flatten the COVID-19 curve has further strengthened our role in the community while promoting the intrinsic value of libraries.