If you think of Brooklyn as a symphony of sounds... imagine it muted.

If you feel the energy of bustling streets...envision them empty.

This was Brooklyn during the pandemic.

Brooklyn, known for its diverse cultural scene, vibrant music and arts community, and rich history, fell into a deep silence.

The pandemic swept through, leaving landmarks eerily quiet.

Imagine walking through Prospect Park, where the usual melodies of laughter and conversation were replaced by the rustling of leaves and distant silence.

Or strolling down Flatbush Avenue, a street once pulsating with life,

now a quiet witness to history.

Subways, the lifeline of the city, ran empty.

The clatter and screeching of subway trains echoed through vacant stations, 

serving as a haunting reminder of the city's paused life.

But in this silence, Brooklyn showed resilience.

Libraries were among the first places to reopen, 

Reimagining ways where neighbors could support each other

Brooklyn Library staff led the charge, exhibiting adaptive leadership on all fronts.

Libraries, once again, proved that they are more than just places to borrow books. They were lifelines supporting and sustaining communities.   

They used 3D printers 

To create PPE for First Responders

Set up learning Labs for school-age kids 

and expanded internet access for entire neighborhoods

They also played a pivotal role in social justice issues during the racial reckoning of the early 2020s.

The reopening process was long and grueling for everyone

but especially for these unheralded leaders who tirelessly serve their communities.  

Introducing the “Tap-In” program, a response to the toll the recent past has taken on branch staff.

Every Friday, senior leaders and their teams step in to handle a branch’s daily activities,  

allowing the staff to enjoy a day of team-building outside of the branch.

This retreat offers branch staff a chance to reconnect, reset, and plan for the future, 

all while focusing on fun and togetherness.

Back at the branch, public service administrators ensure everything runs smoothly,  

gaining new insights into how they can better support daily operations.

Through the Tap-In program,

administrative and branch staff refocus on public service priorities. 

ensuring that each of Brooklyn’s 62 neighborhood libraries benefits from this initiative  

and that we ,collectively, support those who support our borough.