QUALITY OF LIFE | LIBRARY TYLER PUBLIC LIBRARY RESPONSE TO COVID-19 Providing access to high-speed internet was crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 19% of Tyler’s population does not have internet access, making working or studying from home, job searching, and obtaining updates to the latest news and information a staggering issue. With limited capacity and masking rules, the Tyler Public Library was dedicated to staying open during the pandemic. The Library increased the number of wireless access points and Wi-Fi strength to help accommodate the extra demand from patrons. Staff developed curbside service procedures for material checkout and information access, and began to translate usual programming into virtual and take-home activities for children, teens and adults alike. Adult and Youth Services worked together to provide community
resources for those needing an extra hand in their job search, transforming their previously planned Job Fair into a take-home kit distributed to 150 people. Other take-home programming kits were distributed to over 2,500 youth and 300 adults between reopening in June 2020 and the end of September. The Library also canceled membership fees for Tyler Independent School District students residing outside of the City Limits to provide access to a wide variety of materials and digital resources to students who were unable to check out materials from their schools.
Marina Martinez, Circulation Technician
These efforts saw a 31% increase in digital circulation, which is a significant jump from previous years. Library cardholders also increased by 5.97%, exceeding our goal of 5%.
INCREASED SERVICE OFFERINGS DURING COVID-19
Almost 8,000 computer sessions occurred utilizing the Library’s computers.
The e-Card services saw a drastic increase of 107%. Total count for wireless access was 11,092.
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Rosalinda Guana, Circulation Technician
