The following article was submitted by Kristin Stoeger, the Executive Director of the Manitowoc Public Library.
My, what a year this has been! Looking back over the last fiscal year, I am overwhelmed to remember all the ways our community adjusted and rose to meet the challenges of the pandemic. I could never have foreseen what we were to face, and yet, we came through together. A huge thank you to all our community members, businesses, and partner organizations! Your tenacity, commitment to our community, innovation, flexibility, and courage were an honor to behold and be a part of. We may be a little battered, but I know we are coming out stronger than before the pandemic.
At Manitowoc Public Library, we started off 2020 with a huge celebration for our First Floor Redesign and quickly shifted into pandemic response. In 2020, we completed a major First Floor Redesign, focusing on supporting 21st century workforce skills. Through this redesign, we were able to build and expand on technology assistance offered to the community through the creation of our Idea Box. We were also able to create a business center, enhance digital literacy access, and provide areas for community connection.
This redesign project was completed and introduced in early 2020, just prior to the worldwide pandemic. We are in the process of rolling out access once again to many of these transformational elements. Stay connected on Facebook (www.facebook.com/manitowoclibrary) and our website (www.manitowoclibrary.org) for the latest updates!
Throughout the pandemic, the Library remained true to our mission to support our community’s educational, recreational, and cultural needs. This meant adapting our service model to support virtual access to resources—including development of a curbside services model for library access which we will continue to use during, and beyond, the pandemic.
We continued to provide job assistance for the community in job searching, applying, and developing job skills.
We focused on community engagement through our virtual programming and providing quality and innovative programming to citizens of all ages.
MPL Executive Director Kristen Stoeger
We supported digital literacy through expanded Wi-Fi and circulation of wireless hotspots in our community. We supported education with enhanced access of Virtual Library Cards to students. Virtual Library Cards give students and teachers online access to all of the digital resources that Manitowoc Public Library currently provides and those that may become available in the future. There is no physical card which exists; instead the Virtual Library Card is developed based on the student or teacher’s school ID number. Instead of memorizing a new number, the student or teacher is only required to keep track of one number, which is connected to their school account.
Finally, the Library supported our area businesses through a month-long “Libraries Build Strong Communities” campaign where we incentivized shopping local. By shopping local during the month of September, the public received entries into raffle drawings at their local library. The raffle drawings were for gift cards to our local businesses to once again support them. This helped to promote our businesses during a difficult financial time and showcase all that our community is proud to offer.
Instead of allowing the pandemic to define us, the Library adjusted to develop service models, expand access to resources, and continue to enhance literacy in our community.
Manitowoc Public Library is committed to building a stronger tomorrow.
