2020 was an unprecedented time for all of us. Each day we saw our lives change in increasingly dramatic ways. Our fortitude, and our perseverance as New Yorkers was tested. One of the most impactful moments of last year was the temporary closing of NYPL libraries on March 13. At the time we did not know when we would return or what services we would be able to offer, we only knew that we had to be ready. As the year churned on and the fog of uncertainty began to slowly roll away a glimpse of how we could adjust to our modern realities began to emerge. Like many other New Yorkers we realized that the way forward was digital and that it is our duty to bridge the divide between our patrons and the branches.

In an effort to make this as easy as possible for our patrons at the Bronx Library Center we kicked our digital services into high gear. We started slow, releasing reading lists on social media, and informing patrons of our ASK NYPL chat service, but things quickly ramped up. Soon after, the Bronx Library Center began releasing its monthly podcasts hosted by Richard Jones and Herbert Norat featuring staff members from BLC and across the NYPL system. You can find each of the episodes here on Soundcloud.  Around the same time the Bronx Library Center’s Reference department began offering Virtual Heritage Tours of our Puerto Rican Heritage Collection. These tours, hosted by a reference librarian, provide patrons with an intimate digital experience in which they get to connect with local Bronx artists and activists while learning about the in-house research materials we offer. You can find these Virtual Heritage Tours on the NYPL Vimeo page.

To tie together the expansion of our digital services we have increased our presence on social media and streamlined access to our resources. If you are ever wondering how to find a podcast, Virtual Heritage Tour, booklist, or virtual event head over to the Bronx Library Center’s Linktree.  Here you will find a plethora of digital resources and all the links to keep you up to date with our podcast and tours.

Bronx Library Center Podcast Episodes

Virtual Heritage Tours

Bronx Library Center Linktree