Good morning! Please excuse cross-postings:

I attended [virtually, of course] a discussion yesterday around connectivity for people in this time of physical distancing. It feels very frustrating for librarians whose very hearts and sous are centered on helping people, and especially for those rural and small libraries who have spent the past decade fighting budgetary restraints just to keep their doors open.
However, please know how VERY important it has become that libraries are keeping their wifi on even as they have had to close their doors. National discussions that I have been following or involved in - like yesterday's - are repeatedly referring to libraries and their open wifi accessibility as crucial anchor institutions during this pandemic. It feels like you're doing very little, but you are really doing a LOT. Gaps in services or places that are still not being reached are being highlighted as areas where other institutions and/or agencies need to step up. Libraries are seen as leaders right now.

Future generations in your respective communities and in your profession will look back to you at this time - during a bicentennial, during a Census year, during a pandemic - and research how you handled this: What your struggles and successes were, where you provided critical services, and where you wish you could have done more. Hopefully that will help craft guidance and policies for future libraries and their patrons.

Thank you for all that are in fact doing. It is making a difference.

Please know again that Maine State Library staff are still available to help you in any way we can.

Respectfully and sincerely,
Lisa

Lisa M. Shaw
Maine State Library
Rural & Small Libraries Specialist
Workforce Development
145 Harlow St.
Bangor ME 04401
(207) 947-8336 xt 114
(207) 217-1565 (mobile)
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