I just received this today and wanted to share. I don't think bringing testing to libraries in small Maine communities is the best solution but this idea of COVID tests in a vending machine in a public library is an interesting way to make free tests available. Deadline to submit and Interest form is tomorrow, February 24. Small/Rural Libraries: free COVID testing partnership opportunity Deadline: February 24, 2022 Color Health<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.color.com%2Fabout-us&data=04%7C01%7Cjanet.mckenney%40maine.gov%7Ce9fdd5f29c9043f51f1708d9f66edbd2%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637811778287854135%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=tR4Q68htUuIbjCwZrIxKfWMihmh735xKRvImh%2By5N%2BM%3D&reserved=0> is partnering with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsl.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cjanet.mckenney%40maine.gov%7Ce9fdd5f29c9043f51f1708d9f66edbd2%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637811778287854135%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=Ng7D79bgxS3%2BQ8PMXerYgzA41PzBgXg7DBxv9LbPNWw%3D&reserved=0> and seeking rural/small libraries to expand community access to FREE COVID-19 testing! This could mean a self-service kit vending machine or space for a hosted testing site. Fill out the interest form<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fforms%2Fd%2Fe%2F1FAIpQLSc2TlitmmBMKtJbyyGJUg_wjplroEGtJlZImOj-O0h8qwDd5g%2Fviewform&data=04%7C01%7Cjanet.mckenney%40maine.gov%7Ce9fdd5f29c9043f51f1708d9f66edbd2%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637811778287854135%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=XnLKv6COPQJjl2a4Q9ZXd2e8dIZetp4K1LQDxaCSQJ8%3D&reserved=0> to show interest in bringing free testing to YOUR community. This possible project will be part of the CDC's Increasing Community Access To Testing<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Ficatt%2Findex.html&data=04%7C01%7Cjanet.mckenney%40maine.gov%7Ce9fdd5f29c9043f51f1708d9f66edbd2%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637811778287854135%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=W%2BN9G64TEzqhxpaLu7%2FXJHSSvzjBfdooucGeO296sAQ%3D&reserved=0> (ICATT) program. You do not need to be a member of ARSL to participate in this opportunity. This government-funded program aims to establish community testing sites and provide testing to increase access to COVID-19 testing in under-resourced communities. Color is one of the nation's leading providers of clinical-grade COVID-19 testing and vaccination services, supporting more than 9,000 testing sites across the country and having completed more than 19 million COVID-19 tests since March of 2020. Their mission is to help everyone lead the healthiest life that science and medicine can offer. As part of the program, Color and its partners will provide COVID-19 testing free of charge to communities in need. This could range from simple vendor-supported testing kit vending machines all the way up to full-service testing sites with walk-in and even drive-up testing. Site location characteristics will determine our mix of testing types and approach, however, the goal is to require little to no effort from library staff while maximizing community access to hundreds of new sites. The Color team, including nationally recognized staffing partners, will provide all the equipment needed (testing kits, tents, computers, PPE, signage, etc.) as well as any staff to register, assist in testing, and manage the sites. Library staff only need to be aware of and promote the location and service hours of testing. In the case of onsite vending machines, Color would ask the library to periodically stock the machines so the supply is available to patrons; however, the maintenance and support of the machines will all be provided by the vendor. Integration of the testing site operations into the Library's marketing and communications will be helpful to make the public aware of the testing opportunities and Color can assist in designing and creating materials to support this. Libraries are the heart and soul of communities and that is even more true for rural and small libraries. In so many ways, libraries are lifelines to people across these communities. If you and your library are interested in joining this effort, you can learn more about the program and its timeline, and fill out a brief form expressing interest here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2TlitmmBMKtJbyyGJUg_wjplroEGtJlZImOj-O0h8qwDd5g/viewform<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fforms%2Fd%2Fe%2F1FAIpQLSc2TlitmmBMKtJbyyGJUg_wjplroEGtJlZImOj-O0h8qwDd5g%2Fviewform&data=04%7C01%7Cjanet.mckenney%40maine.gov%7Ce9fdd5f29c9043f51f1708d9f66edbd2%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637811778287854135%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=XnLKv6COPQJjl2a4Q9ZXd2e8dIZetp4K1LQDxaCSQJ8%3D&reserved=0> Janet McKenney Director, Library Development Maine State Library SHS 64 230 State Street Augusta, ME 04333 207-287-5603 [log in to unmask] @janetmckenney (Twitter) She/her/hers
