Libraries as Social Hubs: Thriving in a Worldwide Pandemic

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 Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard it. There seems to be a rumor floating around that libraries are becoming obsolete due to the continual advancement of technology. This is simply not true! Now, more than ever, libraries are becoming digital “hubs” of online interaction and expansion of knowledge. Communities are engaging with one another in ways that are astoundingly simple- logging on in the comfort of their own home. Through the years, there have been many attempts to bring community members together- through classes, outreach events, etc. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has made digital resources more streamlined and accessible than ever before. 

In the article “Beyond Coping: Librarians Stepping Up to Meet Community Needs During the Pandemic,” Dave Shumaker discusses how libraries used social media as a way to advertise free WiFi programs for those without internet access. In addition to this, many libraries came up with other innovative ways to provide unity and community relationships during quarantine. Digital archives began to emerge that allowed patrons to contribute their own photos and experiences. In addition to this, digital book clubs, read alouds for children, and distance learning resources began to emerge.


Without libraries, many would not have had access to critical resources during the global pandemic. And now, with so many programs being moved online, a great deal of them are there to stay. Libraries are uniting communities in more ways than one, and will continue to be an essential “hub” of knowledge and socialization.


Lucy Davis



Sources Cited: Shumaker, Dave. “Beyond Coping: Libraries Stepping Up to Meet Community Needs During the Pandemic.” Information Today, vol. 38, no. 2, Mar. 2021, pp. 12–14. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lxh&AN=148900242&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Image: https://senecaeastlibrary.org/sites/default/files/images/park_surf_homeslide.png



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