Jill Schramm/MDN Minot Public Library’s circulation desk reflects the reality of a pandemic. Although 2020 was a different kind of year, the library’s annual report shows $3.71 in services provided for every $1 spent.

Minot Public Library found different ways to deliver existing and new services in adjusting to a pandemic in 2020.

“It was definitely a different year,” Library Director Janet Anderson told the Minot City Council in her annual report Monday. “We checked out fewer items. We provided a lot more of other services.”

The library closed to the public March 16, 2020, after COVID-19 was identified in the city and remained closed for 84 days while curbside services and virtual programs became the new delivery system for library services.

“We were the only North Dakota library that served a population of more than 20,000 to have these services in place within 24 hours. For that, I’m very, very proud of our staff and everyone who helped make this happen,” Anderson said. “In the meantime, we were forced to quickly change gears as pretty much all of our major programs, projects and priorities switched so that we could assist people in this pandemic. During this time we began offering digital library cards. We offer curbside printing, where we would print something for someone and run it out to them. People can check out Chromebooks.”

The library spearheaded a communitywide grocery delivery program that utilizes volunteers, made 3-D masks for first responders and shared updated information on COVID-19 with the community. It expanded its tool library, checked out STEM kits for children and extended its DVD checkout periods.

The library also is nearly finished with an exterior renovation on the building.

“Not surprisingly, digital books became really popular in 2020,” Anderson said. “We circulated about 10,000 more digital titles. That’s audio books, ebooks and also streaming videos.”

The pandemic didn’t halt some of the usual activities of the library. The library issued more than 1,387 new library cards in 2020 and continued to check out more than 100,000 items. The summer reading program continued digitally with 466 participants. The first-ever winter reading program continues through March with almost 200 people participating.

“One of the biggest struggles was how we can be social while maintaining social distance, so we relied really heavily on our social media. Facebook still tends to be our primary platform, and we increased our engagement on Facebook by 31% in 2020. In addition, we’ve increased our Instagram followers, and we’re now on Tik Tok, and Animal Crossing,” Anderson said. “More programs were hosted on Facebook, Zoom and YouTube than in person.”

There were 168 in-person programs and 197 virtual programs in 2020. Participants in Take-and-Make projects picked up almost 2,777 craft kits from the library to make at home following an online tutorial.

The library spent just over $2 million in 2020 to provide services valued at more than $7.5 million, Anderson said.

“For every $1 that we spent, we provided $3.71 in service. Take that by population, that’s $162 of service value per person in the city of Minot,” she said. “We continue to be very proud of this. We want people to know that no matter what is happening, we are here for them, and that the services we provide are free services to assist our community.”

Going forward, library staff are updating the library’s strategic plan and are conducting a diversity audit to ensure its materials are inclusive. As the library expands its offerings and materials, Anderson said, staff want to conduct a space analysis in the building built in 1966 and expanded in 2001 and looks to review job descriptions. She said the goal in 2021 also is to reach out to businesses and other organizations to find ways to collaborate.