The COVID-19 pandemic continues to take an unprecedented toll on the economy and society at large, creating individual, family, and community challenges on a scale never seen before. The pandemic has necessitated extensive changes in the services needed at this time, as well as how those services are delivered to people in need. With the real unemployment rate at about 10% and 10 million Americans still out of work, community-wide responses will be necessary to provide adequate, ongoing support for unemployed workers.

In July 2020, the Heldrich Center a brief examining the suddenly virtual transition of every One-Stop and/or American Job Center in the region. Recognizing the central role that libraries play in community life, Heldrich Center researchers have now turned their attention to public libraries and how they have pivoted to virtual services, with a particular focus on the resources available to support the unemployed and their physical, social, emotional, and job search needs.