State and local governments are developing COVID-19 vaccination plans in accordance with CDC guidelines. ALA recommends:
- libraries continue to follow CDC guidelines to protect the health of library staff, patrons, and the community.
- libraries remain in close communication with their local COVID recovery teams and elected officials as vaccine rollout plans are developed and implemented.
- library workers who are at heightened risk for exposure to COVID-19, such as those providing in-person services, be prioritized for access to vaccinations.
Resources:
In January, CDC released an Interim List of Categories of Essential Workers, with libraries in priority category 1c; education is listed in priority category 1b. The CDC guidance notes that local jurisdictions will make final determinations about prioritization and distribution.
ACIP COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations
CDC 8 Things to Know about the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program
CDC State and Territorial Health Department websites
CDC Community-Based Organizations COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit
REALM Project Research Briefing: Vaccines and Variants
REALM Project Webinar: Understanding COVID-19 Vaccines
State advocacy for vaccine prioritization:
Connecticut Library Association
Massachusetts Library Association
New Jersey Library Association
ALA Council resolution:
On January 25, ALA's Council approved a resolution affirming the right of all library workers to safe work environments and directing the Committee on Legislation (COL), Committee on Library Advocacy (COLA), and Chapter Relations Committee (CRC) to provide "analysis of impact on state and local contexts and provide a report to Council no later than March 31, 2021."
A joint working group with representatives from each of those committees—led by Chairs Amy Lappin (CRC), Justin de la Cruz (COLA) and Joe Thompson (COL)— has convened and is gathering information, including feedback from state library associations. A report was submitted to ALA President Julius Jefferson on March 12th and distributed to Council. Working group members met with Council on March 31.
Please contact COL staff liaison Carrie Russell, crussell@alawash.org, with questions.
Return to State and Local COVID-19 Resource page