Christina Estes, KJZZ.org; 'The Great Equalizer': Why Some Arizona Libraries Offer Curbside Service Amid COVID-19

[Kip Currier: Next week I launch a new required course -- The Information Professional in the Community -- in the MLIS degree program at the University of Pittsburgh. One of the topics we will be investigating and debating over the course of the term is the upshots and downsides of information professionals serving as "first responders" and "second responders" in various situations, like the Covid-19 pandemic.
This article and audio story provides a tale of two Arizona library systems' divergent approaches on whether To-Curbside-Or-Not-To-Curbside...]

"Maricopa County Library District

About 40 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix, customers at Queen Creek Library get the curbside treatment.

Rob Scott, digital marketing officer for Maricopa County Library District, recorded audio last week at KJZZ’s request as a library employee directed a driver to a numbered space where the driver would pop open the vehicle’s trunk...

Phoenix Public Library

Sixteen libraries in the state’s most populous county offer curbside pickup but not libraries in the state’s most populous city.

“It has been a topic of discussion for Phoenix Public Library,” said Lee Franklin, community relations manager.

She said Phoenix is erring on the side of caution by not offering curbside service.

“We don’t see an ability for us to do that and still prioritize maintaining that safe environment for our staff, our customers and our visitors,” Franklin said."