How Public Libraries in Wisconsin Have Dealt with the Pandemic

Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 -- 8:05 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) The coronavirus pandemic has been a challenging time for the state’s public libraries.

Wisconsin Library Association President Nyama Reed says they’ve had challenges and successes over the course of the pandemic. “Constantly having to re-work at the local level, how to offer library services. And then the greatest achievement would be doing that successfully.” Many libraries are still not back to a pre-pandemic normal.

Reed continued, “As things changed, whether it was masks or surges or things going slow or what have you, and changing guidance from the CDC or the state level, constantly having to re-work at the local level, how to offer library services.”

Reed also said, “I wouldn’t say a pre-COVID normal. We’re in a sort of long COVID new normal of keeping an eye on whatever your local COVID burden rate might be or whatever mask regulations might be going on. Do you do in-person programming yet or not. Some libraries are, some aren’t.”

Today is the Library Association’s Legislative Day at the Capitol.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.