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COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 Resources

This page contains general information on the pandemic, resources for families, resource guides for library staff including youth services and programming librarians, information on working from home, and more.

This resource is created through a partnership between the California Library Association and California State Library. We encourage California library staff to submit additional resources and resource categories and to share the page with colleagues.

Please suggest additional resources by completing this form.

 View and Share your COVID-19 Programming Ideas

California State Library is collecting and making available programming ideas for public library staff to use while library buildings are closed and programming must be virtual and distance-friendly. You can view the database populated with great ideas by California library staff here: https://www.library.ca.gov/services/remote-resources/

We encourage you to:

  • Submit your ideas to us to share them with your colleagues
  • Use our new database to find new ideas and support your programming

To submit ideas, please use this form:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OnlineProgrammingResourcesforCALibraries. 

 

Reopening

  • REALM Project: Reopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums
    OCLC, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Battelle are conducting research on how long the COVID-19 virus survives on materials that are prevalent in libraries, archives, and museums. The project will draw upon the research to produce authoritative, science-based information on how—or if— materials can be handled to mitigate exposure to staff and visitors. Full information and updates are available on the project website.
  • California State Library -California’s Resilience Roadmap: Phase 2: Curbside Pickup
    Specific guidance for curbside pick-up is included as part of the industry guidance for retail. This COVID Retail Guidance guidance includes information applicable to all entities offering curbside service, including libraries. It also includes an addendum with issues specific to libraries. All industry guidance is available at:  https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/.
  • Niche Academy - Reopening Lives With the Library project
    For those seeking resources to train staff members on skills and knowledge needed for library services during the pandemic/reopening, Niche Academy offers free access their 25 tutorials available for library staff. Topics include job search, Medicare and Coronavirus, mental health, virtual programming, finding free meals for children, and more. A few are location-specific, but most are general enough for libraries anywhere. Read more about topics (there’s a link to a Google sheet that already has over 130 suggestions from the field!) and the process of creating a course.

  • Shared Library Reopening Plans
    This California libraries have shared their reopening plans. If you have a plan to share, please email it to Holly Macriss at hmacriss@cla-net.org.

General COVID-19 Resources

Vaccination Information

  • Vaccine All 58
    When the State Library talks with the state’s pandemic team, one topic comes up over and over: How do we ensure our communities get reliable news and information about COVID-19 vaccinations. In order to meet this demand, the State of California has created several tools to make it easier for Californians to learn more about the vaccine and how to sign up to be vaccinated when it is their turn. Visit vaccinateall58.com to learn the latest about vaccines and encourage your community to sign up to be notified when it is their turn to make an appointment to get vaccinated at myturn.ca.gov.

Library Association/Organization General Resources

  • California State Library COVID-19 Information Website 
    Website provides links to major health organizations such as the California Department of Public Health, the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. It also provides links to online resources for State Government Employees and information on Public Library closures and cancellations.
  • ALA COVID-19 Response Website 
    American Library Association has a Pandemic Preparedness resource for libraries. This page contains links to relevant news stories, library responses, library policy suggestions and considerations, professional development resources, and other state, local and federal resources.Institute of Museum and Library Services - COVID-19 Resources for
  • Libraries and Museums 
    Contains links to COVID-19 related resources and websites posted by Museum and Library related Associations and organizations. Resources range from collection disinfecting to news pages, pandemic resources and service advice to best practices.
  • Urban Libraries Council 
    This website provides various COVID-19 related resources to help provide libraries with information and tools they can use to prepare themselves, and patrons and partners for the impact of the virus. This includes information on the situation, relevant maps, resources for youth, businesses and educators, as well as links to partner and allied organization pages.
  • Public Library Association 
    Resources on COVID-19 These are resources designed to be helpful to Public Library Association members respond to the COVID-19 crisis. These include a free webinar series, a survey on how libraries are responding to COVID-19, recommendations from the American Library Association, library partners and health authorities.
  • International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions 
    COVID-19 and the Global Library Field webpage This page provides key resource for libraries in responding to the Coronavirus pandemic. This includes information from the World health Organization, list of worldwide library closures, information on different restriction approaches and providing services remotely and links to related Association pages in each country.
  • Library 2.0 pandemic website A collaborative resource providing links to Pandemic and library response resources. This included resources from Library organizations (professional, state wide, and organizations from other counties), helpful articles, Facebook groups and links to health organization resources.

Health or Emergency Organization Resources

Includes a useful infographic that can be easily circulated or handed out: “Steps to prevent the spread of COVID 19 if you are sick”

Coronavirus Disease Pandemic main page includes helpful advice to the public such as “When and how to use masks videos” and a “Myth-buster” page

These resources include, among other things, a resource on “Rumor Control” and one on “How to Help”

COVID-19 Legal resources

  • San Diego Law Library COVID-19 Legal Resource Website
    Provides credible information on legal topics impacted by the pandemic including health, employment, housing, benefits, utilities, consumer debt, businesses, quarantine information, contract claims, taxes, legal deadlines, and scams
  • UCLA Legal responses to Coronavirus Website
    Website is designed to provide links to primary sources and summaries for government responses to the coronavirus epidemic and links to and information on related legislation, current and past.
  • Library of Congress Blogs – Coronavirus Resource Guide
    This page is a guide to federal, state, and local laws, regulations and executive actions in the United States dealing with the new Coronavirus. The page also includes Congressional Research Service reports pertaining to the novel coronavirus.

Library Specific COVID-19 Resources

CARES Act

  • American Library Association - CARES Act Summary
    This library recovery funding summary highlights the funds directly related to libraries.

Handling and Disinfecting Materials

  • American Library Association - Handling Library Materials and Collections During a Pandemic
     American Library Association: A pandemic is an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population. The following information and resources are meant to assist libraries, institutions, and archives during a pandemic. Some of the resources are specific to influenza outbreaks but can be used more universally to help educate and inform decisions on pandemic prevention and preparedness. Please visit this page frequently as it is continuously being updated with new information as the COVID-19 situation develops.
  • Public Library Association - Public Libraries Respond to COVID-19: Free Webinar Series
    PLA is committed to providing information on the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19 to PLA members and others working in public libraries. Join PLA for this new, free webinar series featuring updates on the current status of the pandemic, examples of how libraries are dealing with closures and serving their communities virtually, and opportunities to share and learn from each other.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities
    Interim Recommendations for U.S. Community Facilities with Suspected/Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This guidance provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of rooms or areas occupied by those with suspected or with confirmed COVID-19. It is aimed at limiting the survival of SARS-CoV-2 in key environments. These recommendations will be updated if additional information becomes available.
  • State Library of Oregon - COVID-19 Library Policies and Services
    Resources to help Oregon libraries develop policies and services during the COVID-19 pandemic (that may also be helpful for libraries elsewhere).

General Resources

  • Wifi related information
    • FCC
      Link to the press released from the FCC regarding e-rate related COVID-19 updates.
    • Comcast
      Information on connecting low-income individuals to the internet
    • Charter Communications
      Information on Charter offering free access to broadband and wifi for 60-days to students and other households.
  • Librarian.Support
    School of Library and Information Science posting love sessions and recordings that can be used for professional development and continuing educations.
  • Humankind Public Radio – Libraries Reimagined
    A special series that examines the role of libraries in virtually every community across America. And you’ll learn new ways that libraries help to preserve our democracy by ensuring free, unfettered access to information.
  • Podcasting for Libraries 
    Video created for libraries that are looking at podcasts as a new way to reach their patrons
  • #LibrariesStrong twitter feed
    People provide links, ideas, and encouragement tagged to #librariesStrong
  • Everylibrary Institute – Resources for libraries on coronavirus 
    This provides various resources for libraries including links to a National Library of Medicine online course, information aimed at dispelling rumors and misinformation, and ideas for how libraries can help.
  • San Francisco Public Library – Fact Sheets 
    Website has San Francisco Library System specific information as well as a COVID-19 fact sheet in English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. 

Information on Virtual Services and Remote Access to Resources 

  • School Library Journal
    • Publishers Adapt Policies to Help Educators
      School Library Journal article about the new requirements of children’s publishers who have temporarily altered their policies to help educators be able to use their materials.
    • These publishers have definitely extended permissions beyond June 30 or did not indicate a specific expiration date:
      • Boyds Mills & Kane – through September 7: boydsmillsandkane.com/permissions2020/
      • Candlewick Press – no stated expiration: www.candlewick.com/covid-19.asp
      • Cherry Lake/Sleeping Bear – through August 31: cherrylakepublishing.com/recording_guidelines
      • Cottage Door Press – no stated expiration: cottagedoorpress.com/pages/rights-and-activities
      • HarperCollins – through September 9: d1xcdyhu7q1ws8.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/06/09172315/Online-Reading-HCC-Policy-Update-June2020.pdf
      • Holiday House – no stated expiration: holidayhouse.com/holiday-house-resources/
      • Macmillan – through August 31: us.macmillan.com/macmillan-content-use-guidelines/
      • Penguin Random House – through August 31: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/penguin-random-house-temporary-open-license/
      • Simon & Schuster – through August 31: www.simonandschuster.com/p/online-read-aloud-guidelines
      • Sourcebooks – through December 31: www.sourcebooks.com/online-storytime-requests.html

  • A Roundup of Pandemic Resources for Librarians, Teachers, and the Parents that We Serve
    Provides links to COVID-19 resources, General Educational Resources, and Author and Illustrator resources. 
  • Online Book Clubs
  • Online book resources
    • Project Gutenberg Library
      A project wiki providing access to free ebooks that are in the public domain
    • Internet Archive – National Emergency Library
      Internet Archive has suspended wait lists on their 1.4M-large lending library. No hold queue through June 30 or the end of the national emergency, “whichever is later”.
    • The Public Books 
      A database collection of resources being offered for free by academic presses during the COVID-19 crisis.

  • E-Resources
    • EBSCO
      Free resources from EBSCO to support schools and public libraries impacted by COVID-19. 
    • Gale Support and Gale Access
      Resources to support libraries and educators impacted by COVID-19 as well as access to curriculum resources for students and educators 
    • Kirkus Media
      A letter from the CEO making their digital magazines free
    • Califa Vendor list
      List of vendor responses to COVID-19
  • American Library Association Neal-Schuman textbooks
    LA Neal-Schuman is working to make e-books – including textbooks – easier to access. Visit the ALA Online Store for information and options for your institution. 

Resources on working from home 

  • Public Library Association Webinars
    Free webinar series form the Public Library Association entitled “Public Libraries respond to COVID-19”. Contains webinars on topics that can be helpful in providing information and navigating service model changes.
  • Workplace Mental Health
    Website entitled “Your Mental Health and Well-Bring” which provides suggestions on reducing stress and maintaining good mental health while isolated. 
  • Resources for staying connected or conducting remote meetings:
    • Google Hangout 
      Providing free access to their advance video-conferencing. For a YouTube video on how to use it click here. 
    • GoToMeeting
      Has video conferencing capability. Is providing Emergency remote work kits
    • Zoom
      Allows for access to video conferencing for meetings. For a YouTube video of how to use it click here.
  • Nationwide Library pay policies 
    Live google spreadsheet showing the pay policy adopted during closure of some of the Nations libraries. Sorted by state.  

Mental Health and Handling Social Distancing for Librarians

  • California State Library  - Mental health webinars
     Ten webinars on mental health issues, including topics like “A Trauma-Informed Lens Changes What You See” and “Preventing and Treating Compassion Fatigue with Self-Care.”

Resources for kids and families

Educational and Activity Based Resource

  • California State Library – K-12 online Content 
    This link provides access to the California K-12 online content normally available to all public school students. These are critical support and virtual resources for California educators and student in k-12 grades.
  • Lists of resources that were made free during the COVID-19 crisis
  • Children’s and YA Services
    Connecticut State Library compiled a calendar of Children’s and Young Adult services that are available as well as links to resources and activity ideas.
  • LibGuides
    Providing free digital resources to use during social distancing for children, teens, and adults. These including coding games, music resources, story times, drawing, and homeschooling resources. 
  • PBS Kids
    Has a weekday newsletter with activities and tips for parents/caregivers.
  • Common Sense Media
    Provides resources for families and media learning opportunities for kids. This includes schedules, links to educational sites, apps, and games, and online events.
  • COVID-19 Youth Services Resources
    Colorado Virtual Library is providing links to Youth Resoruces. Some are Colorado specific like lunch sites but there are also links to information of sanitizing, free resources for libraries and kids and program ideas.
  • Library of Congress Engage! 
    Has video postings (once or on a weekly basis) for kids, teens, adults, book lovers, and educators providing activities, advice, and presentations.

Mental Health and Handling Social Distancing for Families

Community Resources 

  • Employment related sites:
    • Facebook Career Visioning
      A facebook group with videos to help the unemployed and underemployed
    • Career Visioning
      Resources created to help students, job seekers, career changers, and those seeking greater work/ life satisfaction.  
    • Legit You: align life and purpose
      A podcast that, among other things provides advice on job/training ideas in a COVID environment. 
    • OnwardCA
      A one-stop resource for the people of California impacted by job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • PlaneTree Health Library 
    Information researched by their medical librarian and provided for community members to help make their best choices for their own health and the health of their families and neighbors during this crisis.