On March 19, 2020 our buildings closed due to COVID-19. Staff quickly transitioned to providing virtual services. Librarians were available by phone, chat and email but the website became the main access point for our services. The entire community became our target audience and our challenge was to make them aware that while our buildings were closed we were still providing valuable services and access to information about the disease, social services, distance learning, unemployment and more.

The marketing staff shifted its focus from in-house production of print materials to digital content. We produced virtual storytimes and service update videos for our website, YouTube channel and the county’s daily update. Social media posts were created for various platforms featuring virtual activities, online resources and digital services. The website was continually changing as we upgraded digital services and implemented policy changes to meet community needs. Our monthly magazine was adapted to a cable TV show.

Our buildings closed from March 19 through May 31 and we answered 30,000 phone calls and 1,000 emails and offered 29 virtual storytimes with 4,258 views. Since March, usage increased for e-resources by 30% and online resource by 89%. Patrons renewed 17,500 library cards and 2,500 virtual cards were issued. We became Hoopla’s #1 library in Florida for users and loans and #5 in the country surpassing larger systems. Social media impressions also increased: Facebook: 52,000, Twitter: 88,888; Instagram: 23,000 and YouTube: 11,000.