WEC Class Notes

1. As we face tragedy, devastating economic turmoil and dislocation, public libraries will play a key part in the recovery of our country, cities and lives. Libraries offer all people — regardless of background or circumstance — free access to the tools and knowledge they need to open doors of opportunity and be productive members of society. To remain true to their mission, all libraries must undergo radical change. To serve the public in the face of unprecedented challenges, libraries will need to transition their services to the virtual space and explore new avenues to serve the public and bring people together, even while we are apart. 2. Since the New York Public Library has invested for years in digital offerings, we have been able to quickly transition and expand a wide variety of online services. Our goal has been to replicate, as best we can, the unique experience of being in a library while at home. We offer online story times, tutoring and other educational tools for parents

2020 The Year We Couldn’t Breathe  George Floyd said it at least 16 times before he died on a Minneapolis sidewalk around 9 a.m. on Monday, May 25. “I can’t breathe.” Breathing is a real thing. If you have ever choked, suffered through an asthma attack, had pneumonia, or been under water a bit too long, you know how quickly your body trips into panic. Before you read the next sentence, close your eyes and hold your nose and hold your breath for as long as you can endure it. Now let your best friend hold your breath in for another 30 or 60 seconds and you will know real desperation. Breathing is also a metaphor. When someone tells you, “You need to take a deep breath,” they usually mean, “calm down, step back, give it some distance, put this in perspective.” They may mean it literally, too. When you cease to hunch your shoulders in frustration, lift your head, and take in as much air as your lungs can hold, it almost invariably reduces the tension and brings at least temporary relief. B