Libraries as Community Anchors

Your Name and Title: Benjamin Baron, Community Outreach Librarian (proposal coordinator, not a presenter)

Library, School, or Organization Name: Plano Public Library, Plano, Texas

Co-Presenter Name(s): Brent Bloechle, Library Manager; Bethany Ross, Public Services Librarian, Sr. (content presenters)

Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Texas, United States

Language in Which You Will Present: English

Target Audience(s): Public Librarians, Public Library Directors and Managers, Public Library Staff

Short Session Description (one line): Develop a community support program for seniors through direct connection with library staff.

Full Session Description (as long as you would like): Learn how Plano Public Library connected with the most isolated population in the community during the first year of COVID-19 through a Senior Care Calls programs. Library staff adopted 2-7 seniors to call every other week and chat, listen, and support the senior, making deep connections for both the seniors and staff. Learn how to start a similar program in your community, adapt the program as your library returns to business, and expand the program into a city-wide senior outreach initiative.

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: www.planolibrary.org; https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/08/us/coronavirus-elderly-call-outreach.html; https://www.plano.gov/1812/Community-Resources-for-Seniors