Brookline Library Staff Says 'Thank You' To Town Amid Pandemic

BROOKLINE, MA — The following letter to the editor was submitted to Patch by Reference Library Lily Weitzman.

To the editor:

As we prepare to welcome the public back into the Public Library of Brookline buildings, the library staff would like to express our appreciation for Library Administration, the Library Trustees, and Dr. Jett and the Health Department. Throughout the pandemic, they have consistently prioritized staff and patron health.

In uncertain times, they have adapted quickly and planned thoroughly, always keeping the primary focus on our safety.

Libraries, and library workers, are easy to overlook. We are thankful to Library Director Sara Slymon and the Trustees for advocating for us and to the Health Department for its active collaboration. Whether planning public services like contactless pickup or behind-the-scenes logistics—from the layout of desks and break rooms to the ever-evolving schedule—they made sure we had a safe workplace.

Since last March, we have read accounts of library systems in other states that did not consider the safety of their workers in their pandemic planning. At a time when the wellbeing of workers is not always prioritized, we are thankful that the Town has put the health and safety of staff and patrons first.

We have missed our library patrons, and have done our best to serve the community safely over the last year.

We have loaned materials through contactless pickup, held virtual programs for all ages, offered remote reference and readers’ advisory services, created to-go craft kits, and more. We are grateful that we have been able to do so in a safe environment, and we look forward to welcoming our community back into the buildings in June.

Sincerely,
Public Library of Brookline Staff