Nimble in a Crisis: How to Support Schools and Other Agencies During the Unknown

In 2020, Cedar Rapids, Iowa was hit with a one-two punch of crisis, with first the COVID-19 pandemic, and then a windstorm in August that damaged every part of the city, including every Cedar Rapids public school building. Already adapting all of the library’s services to serve the public during a pandemic, the Cedar Rapids Public Library had the opportunity to once again rapidly shift staffing and priorities in order to support the community and the school district during the recovery. From helping to staff Neighborhood Resources Centers, to collaborating with the district to create library cards for every student, the Cedar Rapids Public Library utilized long-built and newly-created resources to ensure that their community was supported in the most appropriate way possible.