RALEIGH, N.C. – They say you can't judge a book by its cover. Along the same lines, you can't measure the value of a library simply by its books.

 

What You Need To Know


  • Wake County Public Libraries still providing critical services during the pandemic

  • Many workers are doing contact tracing

  • "Books On The Go Program" allows people to pick up and drop off books

  • Many services and seminars have gone online

 

 

"I miss being here. This is like my happy place," Susan Hirsch says.

Wake County Public Libraries is still providing connections to an array of services for a wide range of populations.

"Things like 'Get That Job' where we help with employment applications and resumes," says Joy Jones, the adult services manager.

Typically Wake County Public Libraries also offers citizenship classes, college readiness programs, and free legal clinics. While the doors remain closed, they're opening as much as they can online.

Library workers inside are literally building healthier communities. The Program Room's now dedicated to contact tracing. Everyone else is trying to keep up with the newly launched "Books On The Go" program.

"We have been so busy with this service," says Carol Laing, branch head at North Regional Library. "We currently have over 100,000 requests in the system."

You can reserve books online, choose a pick-up time, and everything's waiting when you arrive. Even amid a pandemic the library's playing a vital role in connecting people to information and each other.

"It's great to see familiar faces. We love seeing the smiles books brings to people," Laing says.