SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) is pleased to announce the Morgan Hill Library has been nominated for a 2021 Community Impact Award by the local organization, Living Above the Influence (LATI). According to organizers, the Community Impact Awards honor South Santa Clara County nonprofits, agencies and individuals who go above and beyond, providing services to youth, families, and community.
“2020 was a challenging year for us all with the impact of COVID-19, but the Morgan Hill Library continued to provide support to our community,” LATI founder Dori Ann Prado and LATI President Brandy Juarez said in a LATI announcement. “During this time, partnerships and collaboration were vital to meet the needs in our community. LATI recognizes the dedication, commitment, the ‘going above and beyond’ that the Morgan Hill Library provided during this time.”
During the shutdown, Morgan Hill Library, along with the other SCCLD libraries, provided contactless curbside services, which allowed patrons to put items on hold online and later pick them up from the library. SCCLD also moved all of its programming online so patrons could continue to enjoy their favorite programs and events from the safety of home. SCCLD added new digital resources to the Online Library to help patrons with many areas of need including school assignments or finding new jobs, while also expanding Wi-Fi service at all libraries and the Bookmobiles. Lastly, Morgan Hill and Gilroy Libraries both offered free meals to kids 0-18 years old and their caregivers.
“Over the last 18 months, our world has seen so many changes and I commend our team for proving time and time again that they can be flexible, adapt and continue to provide excellent library service to all of our patrons in creative and innovative ways,” said County Librarian Jennifer Weeks. “Even as some normal operations resume, the Library is always looking out for new opportunities to support our communities.”
The Morgan Hill Library recently expanded with a brand new Children’s Activity Room to keep pace with the needs of the community. The expansion includes a new space for hosting children’s programs while supporting the educational needs of students.
The library will be given the award at the 15th Annual Living Above the Influence Community Celebration Event in October.
