The St. Louis Public Library adapts and innovates to keep the city connected

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Courtesy of the St. Louis Public Library Foundation

The St. Louis Public Library is here for the community. While the pandemic has presented myriad challenges over the past year, the city's library system has found a way to adapt, providing vital services through flexibility and innovation.

To help address disparities in digital access, the St. Louis Public Library increased the number of internet hotspots and Chromebooks available for checkout, making it possible for those without internet at home to access online programs and service—everything from high school classes and telemedicine to employment opportunities and news. It also began offering curbside pickup and additional remote services.

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Courtesy of the St. Louis Library Foundation

To provide literacy programs and services for the region's youngest and most vulnerable residents, the St. Louis Public Library has converted summer camps to a virtual format, created a series of weekly story times, and partnered with other organizations. For instance, the St. Louis Public Library has aired story times on PBS Channel Nine and, along with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, distributed reading and activity kits during school closures and throughout the summer. The Early Childhood Outreach Team also quickly switched to virtual story times and delivered hotspots and Chromebooks to childcare locations without connectivity across the city.

This year, the St. Louis Public Library also introduced the early-childhood literacy program 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, which encourages families to promote good reading habits. And the library added a bilingual story time to its virtual lineup.

Much of the work at the St. Louis Public Library is made possible with the support of the St. Louis Public Library Foundation. Friends of the St. Louis Public Library also help provide funding for digital access and youth programming initiatives. To learn more about the St. Louis Public Library Foundation and becoming a Friend of the St. Louis Public Library, visit slpl.org. 

This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of St. Louis Public Library Foundation.To learn more, visit slpl.org.