LibGuides: COVID-19: American Library Association

ALA is committed to ensuring libraries' inclusion in federal, state, and philanthropic recovery efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out these funding opportunities, and learn what you can do to advocate for your library at the local, state, and federal level.

TAKE ACTION FEDERAL RECOVERY PROGRAMS CORPORATE & PHILANTHROPIC RECOVERY PROGRAMS ADVOCACY TRAINING RESOURCES POLICY ISSUES

Take Action

The work of libraries spans beyond the walls of the physical space and library workers continue to serve their communities by offering virtual services, broadband access, digital resources, and more. Share how your library has continued to serve your communities virtually during social distancing.

Learn more about how ALA is advocating for libraries and library workers, and sign up for updates.

Make Your Case

Libraries need to be visible to state and local decision-makers, too, so that they understand how libraries boost their efforts to respond to and recover from COVID-19. For those that need extra help, ALA offers templates and additional resources.

Template letter (DOCX) to governors regarding use of CARES Act funds for libraries
Community Assets for Response, Recovery, and Resilience (PDF): a one-pager for community leaders. Download to customize with an example from your own library/organization (right hand box) and your logo (towards bottom of page).
How Community Leaders Can Partner with Libraries During the Response and Recovery (PDF): a one-page overview for elected officials and funders
Harness the power of social media to highlight specific events, programs or resources and tag community leaders. See ALA's social media toolkit for best practices. social media?

Engage Your Board and Friends Group

Boards and Friends groups are already library supporters and are often leaders in the community. How are they leveraging their networks to support the library?

Use the Board Member Survey (PDF) to collect information and understand which board members are best positioned to reach out to elected officials, community organizations, faith groups, business leaders, etc.
Build time into board meetings for short and focused advocacy training, using the resources available from United for Libraries.
Enlist trustees and friends in securing local media coverage of the library.

Federal Recovery Programs and Libraries

With the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act in March, Congress allocated $200 million to IMLS for COVID-19 relief. Thanks to the thousands of library advocates who took action, this funding became a reality.

On May 26th, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced the availability of $15 million in new funding opportunities for libraries and museums through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The grants are intended to support community needs created by COVID-19 pandemic and boost community recovery efforts. Deadline for applications is June 28 and will be awarded in October.

Institute of Museum and Library Services

Thanks to thousands of advocate communications with Congress, libraries secured $50 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

IMLS distributed $30 million in CARES Act funding through its Grants to States program. State Library Administrative Agencies will determine how these funds are used in each state - a list of appropriations by state (PDF) is available.
IMLS is distributing $15 million in CARES Act funding through an IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries program (deadline June 12). To learn more about applying for IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries, please view the agency's informational webinar.

"At a time when budgets of local governments have been decimated, America can’t afford to dismiss a national infrastructure of 117,000 libraries nimble enough to offer relief and advance recovery. "

— ALA President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr

American Libraries - Library Advocates Stay in Motion. April 1, 2020.

Department of Education

ALA and its coalition partners continue to work to secure funding for school libraries, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions.

In a March 18 letter to U.S. House and Senate Leadership (PDF), ALA joined the Title IV-A Coalition's in urging Congress to pass a comprehensive COVID-19 response package that includes a new remote learning support program that provides targeted funding to ensure that all of America’s students can continue to learn at home.

In an April 4 letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos (PDF), ALA underscored the importance of funding all library types during this time of increased community need.

Education Stabilization Fund

Included in the CARES Act's $2 trillion assistance package is $30.75 billion marked for an Education Stabilization Fund. Four grant programs were created through the CARES Act - the Education Stabilization Fund Discretionary Grants; the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund; the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund; and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Information and applications are available at the Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.

ACRL Insider - Federal Aid for College and Research Libraries During the Coronavirus Pandemic. May 7, 2020.

Knowledge Quest - Federal Relief for School Libraries Will Require State and Local Advocacy. May 21, 2020.

Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Most 501(c)(3) library organizations are eligible for funding from the SBA's Paycheck Protection Program. A borrower application with further instructions for submitting a PPP application are available on the SBA website.

Institute of Museum and Library Services - SBA Paycheck Protection Program Issues for Museums and Libraries
As Small Business Administration (SBA) Phase 2 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding remains available, IMLS hosted SBA Economic Development Coordinator Noah Brod in a webinar discussing PPP issues most relevant to museum and library communities. May 12, 2020

Corporate and Philanthropic Recovery Programs and Libraries

National Education Association Foundation

The National Education Association's (NEA) COVID-19 Response Learning & Leadership Grants and Student Success Grants support educator-led COVID-19 initiatives and address inequality and educational opportunity

Relief Advocacy Training Resources

America’s libraries need continued support from government at every level—local, state, and federal—as well as key decisionmakers to keep our communities connected. Here are some resources and tools to get you started.

Staying focused. As we respond and recover from COVID-19, ALA’s top legislative priorities are increasing funding opportunities nationally, advocating for more resources in state budgets to avoid widespread cuts and furloughs, and advocating for digital equity. Here’s the latest on what ALA is advocating for during response and recovery.

"Funding, funding, funding and advocacy for the critical importance of libraries as crucial, essential secondary responders."

— Connecticut State Library

Keeping it simple. Phone calls, emails, and tweets directed to elected officials and decisionmakers remain effective lines for communication. Visit our action center to send an email to your elected officials today.

Quick COVID-19 Advocacy Training Resources

Webinar: Long-term Strategies for Building Relationships with Lawmakers
Monday, May 4, 2020: As Congressional offices have transitioned to remote work, advocacy strategies have shifted with them. Congressional Management Foundation staff walk through best practices for advocating to Congress when you can’t meet your Members in person. Download this storytelling worksheet from CMF (PDF).

Webinar: Mini Chapter Advocacy Exchange: Pivoting from In-person to Online Advocacy
Recorded Wednesday, May 6, 2020: Join member leaders from across the country as they explain their shift from in-person to remote advocacy. Leaders share stories of successful new strategies and tips to increase the effectiveness of your remote advocacy.Learn how three chapters are pivoting from in-person to online advocacy.

Webinar: Mock Congressional Meeting
Recorded Friday, May 8, 2020: Join member advocates as they showcase how remote meetings with Members of Congress should (and shouldn’t!) play out. Members and ALA staff share best practices and what you want to avoid during these meetings to help set you up for success.

Webinar: Engaging Library Supporters During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Recorded April 1, 2020: Is your Library Foundation or Friends of the Library looking to stay engaged with your supporters and community while navigating the many challenges of COVID-19? Learn tips and advice from directors of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, and the Seattle Public Library Foundation. Hear about “stay home and read” fundraisers from the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation and how to participate in Library Giving Day. Presented by United for Libraries.

Webinar: Advocating for Library Workers During Uncertain Times
Recorded Wednesday, May 13, 2020 The recent public health situation has created much uncertainty for higher education funding. Libraries are finding themselves in increasingly more complex fiscal situations, with layoffs, furloughs, and budget reductions being announced and anticipated. Join a panel of library leaders from institutions of all sizes to discuss practical strategies for engaging campus administrators in conversations that emphasize the importance of supporting library employees and the critical work they are doing for their students and organizations. Presented by the Association of College & Research Libraries.

Policy Issues

Broadband

Nearly 33 million U.S. households do not use the internet at home, and nearly twice that number of people in the U.S. have low levels of digital readiness. Digital opportunity gaps disproportionately impact low-income families, rural residents and tribal communities, African Americans, Latinos, and people with disabilities. The leading reasons for these gaps are lack of awareness of the benefits of broadband, affordability, and lack of digital literacy.

America's libraries are essential to addressing these gaps and realizing the vision of universal broadband adoption and ability of communities to use it—which is more urgent now than ever. Libraries are essential partners in economic recovery, workforce and small business development, student success, and digital inclusion.

Affordable, high-capacity broadband internet access is critical to the mission and operation of every modern library. Learn more about ALA advocacy for equitable digital access.

E-rate and Universal Service

E-rate, also known as the Universal Services Schools and Libraries program, is the program that provides discounts to public libraries as well as K-12 schools on telecommunications services, internet access, Wi-Fi equipment, and some closely related costs like internal cabling. E-rate has played a pivotal role in helping libraries connect their users to the Internet.

ALA works with policy makers in the FCC, Congress, the White House, U.S. Department of Commerce, and elsewhere to preserve and strengthen the E-rate program, empowering libraries and schools to provide online opportunities for all Americans, whether in urban, suburban, rural, or tribal areas. ALA advocates for legislation and policies that aim to improve access to the E-rate program and empower libraries to provide online opportunities for all Americans. Learn more about ALA advocacy for the E-rate program.

From the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

FCC Partners with Institute of Museum and Library Services to Address Digital Divide During COVID-19

ALA will undertake original data collection and research efforts to understand library responses and impacts from the COVID-19 crisis and recovery; curate related data and research resources of significant interest and use to library staff from reputable organizations; and synthesize data and research to generate insights and provide thought leadership.

ALA Original Research and Analysis

Libraries Respond to COVID-19 Survey

As a follow up to PLA’s March 2020 Public Libraries Respond to COVID-19 Survey, a new American Library Association (ALA) survey of U.S. libraries documents a shift in services to support students, faculty, and communities at large during the crisis and phased preparations for the months ahead. More than 3,800 K-12 school, college and university, public, and other libraries from all 50 states responded to the survey between May 12–18, 2020.

While virtually all libraries (99%) report limited access to the physical building, survey respondents shared leaps in the use of digital content, online learning, and virtual programs. Several themes emerged from the survey results, including that libraries are: involved in community crisis response, cautiously planning for re-opening facilities, committed to meeting the educational needs of students and researchers, and experiencing ongoing or increased demand for library programs and services.

Detailed findings from the survey:

More that 1500 respondents shared information about their re-opening plans and processes. Additional analysis of those plans, as well as aggregate financial and staffing data and results by library type and peer groups will be available in the future.

Learn more about the Libraries Respond to COVID-19 Survey.

Interactive Data Visualization: PLA Resources on COVID-19

Patron Needs

Libraries anticipate patrons' most urgent needs in the next six months will be:

Libraries anticipate patrons' most urgent needs in the next six months will be: 64%: Access to physical materials and/or special collections; 60%: Public access to computers and the internet; 60%: Government applications and job search support.

"We checked out 143 laptops to students needing devices to do work online. This helped some students persist who may not have in this new learning environment."

— Hawkeye Community College Library (Iowa)

AASL Back-to-School Survey

As the 2020-2021 school year gets under way the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is collecting data from school librarians across the country to gauge the status of teaching, school library use, and school librarians’ role as school/district plans continue to adapt with changes in population infection rates.

The first back-to-school snapshot survey, conducted August 5 -12, solicited 1,117 responses from all 50 states. The results reveal an increasing reliance on virtual resources. The vast majority of school librarians will encourage more use of e-books and online resources than pre-COVID. However, print materials continue to be essential, with 94% of respondents on the school district level and 85% of respondents on the building level reporting that books would continue to be circulated after quarantine and disinfection.

Read the full report.

The next AASL Back-to-School survey will be open for responses September 10 - 17.

School Library Resources

94% (District level) Books will continue to circulate 88% (District level) Encourage more use of ebooks and online resources

School Library Closure Impact Surveys

Just as school librarians adapt to each shift in the changing education landscape, they are responding to the current remote learning environment to meet the needs of their learners, classroom educators, administrators, and parents/guardians/caregivers according to a series of surveys conducted by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).

Three surveys, conducted March 30 through May 12, 2020, gathered data on school library closures, the response from school librarians, and the impact of closure on students. AASL received responses from all 50 states, with representation from every school setting, grade level, and student population.

The results show that while school librarians have been busy expanding online resources, and providing virtual assistance, student access to technology is a challenge, highlighting inequities in education.

If there can be an upside to school closures, it is that school librarians were recognized by their school community as the go-to person for learners, educators, and parents/guardians/caregivers.

Student Challenges

The biggest reported hurdles to student success during school closures:

AASL will use the survey data, comments, and feedback received through the surveys to develop a new suite of advocacy materials and will also be launching surveys specific to district school library supervisors and school librarian educators.

First Snapshot (March 30-April 6)

Second Snapshot (April 15-21)

Report on school libraries and learners, other educators, and parent/caregivers/guardians

Third Snapshot ( May 5-12)

Public Libraries Respond to COVID-19 (April 2020)

In the broadest survey of public libraries’ response to the pandemic at the time, the Public Library Association received 2,545 unique responses nationwide between March 24 and April 1, 2020. Most respondents (98%) reported their buildings were closed to the public but, in many cases, library staff were rapidly adapting services. A substantial majority of respondents reported extending online renewal policies (76%), expanding online services like e-books and streaming media (74%), and adding virtual programming (61%). Learn more about PLA's initial Libraries Respond to COVID-19 survey.