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MPR News Staff

Humankind documentary: 'Libraries Reimagined'

A woman works in front of a computer while talking with another woman.
St. Paul Public Library community services coordinator Pang Yang (left) talks with her colleague Hindi Abdi in October 2019 at Rondo Community Library.
Christine T. Nguyen | MPR News file

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Libraries and most of their services are closed because of the "stay-at-home" world we live in during this pandemic. But while library buildings are closed to the public, in many cases staff continue to expand access to digital resources, launch virtual programs, and coordinate services with local government agencies. San Francisco is enlisting librarians to conduct “contact tracing” during the pandemic. Some libraries are offering books with "curbside pickup."

It's a good time to think about the role of libraries in American life.

Here's a quote from Henry David Thoreau to consider: "Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries.”

This is the first of a new two-part documentary from the Humankind series, "Libraries Reimagined." It's about the ways libraries are evolving, and the role they play in educating, informing and entertaining people as well as protecting our democracy.

Libraries have been carried along by the tide of technology that has transformed so much of our modern life, and are offering a wide range of new services.

Use the audio player above to listen to the documentary.