NEW ROLES LA COUNTY LIBRARY SHIFTS PROGRAMS AND STEPS INTO NEW ROLES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY DURING COVID19 PANDEMIC LA County Library has always been dedicated to serving the communities of Los Angeles County, and now more than ever, with doors to its buildings closed to the public since mid-March, Library staff has met the challenges that LA County faces head-on to bring communities essential services needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing their unique and diverse skills, Library staff are stepping into new roles and contributing to LA County’s larger efforts responding to the crisis. Drawing on the creative skills of staff, the Library has joined efforts to provide much-needed protective personal equipment (PPE) to assist those on the frontlines. One hundred LA County Library staff have volunteered to sew thousands of face masks, working from home and at Library locations, to help protect LA County workers. Volunteers use either their own sewing machines, or borrow machines from the Library’s MākMō maker mobiles, and repurpose fabric from Library sewing programs, or donate their own supplies. The Library also formed a partnership with the Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center to 3D-print PPE for healthcare workers, such as mask extenders to alleviate ear pain from elastic bands, and headbands for plastic face shields. With a donation of 3D printers, the Library has been able to print 30 – 40 headbands and 100 extenders per day. Learn more about this project at shieldmakers.org.
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