All the things the library has done for Halifax residents since shutting its doors for COVID-19

All hail the city’s unofficial social worker.

“Here’s a list of what Halifax Public Libraries has been able to do in just 66 days:

Reorganized website to prioritize virtual services and brought whole programs online through the Virtual Library.
Upgraded the E-Library to make in-branch services like PressReader and Ancestry available at home; introduced new online resources like Kanopy, RomanceBookCloud, Public Library Online and TumbleBooksMath.
Set up an Ask the Library phone line to connect with and provide assistance to our community.
Provided snack packs for families at Chebucto Connections in Spryfield, Dartmouth North Community Food Centre, Family SOS in Greystone area Spryfield, Freedom Kitchen in Sackville and North Preston’s Future. (In the before times, many children relied on libraries for healthy, free, after school snacks.)
Loaned community organizations some technology items, including wifi hotspots and Chromebooks to a couple of shelters, and books and games to a children’s service provider.
With the help of HRM’s public safety officer Amy Siciliano, set up portable toilets at Halifax Central Library to ensure everyone in our community has access to washrooms.
Worked with Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) to offer virtual tax clinics in lieu of the in-person ones previously offered.
Shifted staff to lead content for the Human Library Videos (storytime, how-to’s), social media and website blogs.”