A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-29, regarding distributing physical library materials to Cambridge youth over the summer

09.30.20 Response on Library Distributing Physical Materials Council Order O-2 June 29, 2020 states that the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with Director of Cambridge Public Libraries and the Cambridge Library Staff Association to develop new and expanded ways to distribute physical library materials to Cambridge youth over the summer, including possible mobile checkout sites. The Library circulated physical materials for children and teens through both the Contactless Holds Pickup service and Kids Books to Go events. We hosted end-of-summer children’s book giveaways at Cambridge Summer Food Program mobile sites near branch libraries. The Library also worked in partnership with Cambridge Book Bike, My Brother’s Keeper and the Mayor’s Office to both plan events and provide books for mobile distribution. During July and August, the Cambridge Public Library circulated physical 49,381 books for children and teens. We developed visual guides specifically for children and caregivers and ensured that children’s librarians and staff were available via phone and email to provide guidance. Kids Books to Go Branch and youth services staff developed “Kids Books to Go” (KBTG) as a new way for kids and teens to borrow physical library books during COVID-19. We held KBTG events at all neighborhood library branches to serve as much of the Cambridge community as possible. At these events, attendees could choose from our menu of bags for kids and teens. We had a range of materials available, from picture books for young children to fiction and graphic novels for teens. Youth Services staff from each branch took the lead in curating the selections for their events, reflecting their neighborhood's "flavor" and preferences (e.g., preparing more bags with board books for neighborhoods with lots of very young patrons). At the event, Library staff matched participants with a bag of pre-selected books curated by Cambridge Public Library youth services librarians. Staff and patron safety was of utmost importance so Kids Books to Go events used best practices evolving from our Contactless Holds Pickup service. This included clear event signage, tables and stanchions to create traffic flow, markers on the ground to promote social distancing and “grab and go” bagged selections. Additionally, no library cards were necessary for transaction. In order to make this a contactless pickup, books were checked out in advance to a general library staff account. Participants are trusted to return the books when they are finished with them. KBTG was financially supported by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation. These events, which are continuing this fall, have provided an important opportunity for branch staff to reconnect with their neighborhood patrons. As of 9/24, we have had 12 KBTG events total and have hosted events at every neighborhood branch. We served 2,052 people, gave out 1,317 bags containing 5,904 books.

Summer Reading Book Giveaways The Library hosted end-of-summer children’s book giveaways, delivering another reading boost to kids during this difficult summer. Children and families picking up lunch at Cambridge Summer Food Program sites near our branch libraries were offered a book of their own to take home to keep. Books were paid for by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation. • The Valente Branch Library had books available at the King Open School lunch site on Monday, August 10 and Thursday, August 13. • The O’Neill Branch Library had books available at the Peabody School lunch site on Tuesday, August 11 and Friday, August 14. We welcomed 212 people during the week and gave away 196 books. In addition, 126 children who completed Summer Reading challenges received e-gift cards to Porter Square Books. Partnership Efforts during the Pandemic In addition, serving youth in Cambridge is always stronger and more impactful when we work together with our partners. Partnership efforts this summer include: Cambridge Book Bike (July/early August) With our partners at the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and the Center for Families (and Summer Food and Food for Free), the Cambridge Public Library helped with the planning and development of this year’s Book Bike events including virtual story times and book giveaways. My Brother’s Keeper – 100 Families Reading Initiative (July) The Library provided 220 giveaway books for events sponsored by My Brother’s Keeper. The Mayor’s Office, the Vice-Mayor and with special coordination efforts by school librarian Liz Phipps-Soeiro, and additional assistance from citizen volunteers and Find It Cambridge (April) Together with these partners, the Library provided 60 boxes of outreach giveaway books distributed to students through meal distribution sites. Conclusion As the impacts of COVID-19 continue to create ever-evolving challenges and barriers to access for our most vulnerable populations, with minors being some of the most vulnerable of all, the Library is committed to using its resources to the best of its ability to find new and safe ways to create methods of access.