For many, a local library is a place full of possibilities and resources. That is true, even during a pandemic. In partnership with the LA County Department of Public Health, the LA County Library is offering COVID-19 vaccine clinics across Los Angeles County, including South LA, Lennox and Lancaster.
Sherri Diaz is a management fellow in public services at LA County Library. She believes in the importance of community.
“We’re doing this at several of our community libraries and the keyword there is community,” said Diaz. “These are trusted sites within each of their own neighborhoods. The library is always a trusted community partner within most neighborhoods so people feel comfortable that they can come into a safe, clean space and receive their vaccinations without any questions asked.
“The vaccines are free. There’s no appointment necessary,” she said. “They don’t require any insurance. Nobody is going to be asked about their immigration status so I think all of that combined makes people feel comfortable with the library to receive their vaccine dose.”
Across LA County, there have been more than 1.3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, leading to nearly 25,000 deaths as of Aug. 16.
“We want to be a part of halting that sad statistic by providing that service for our community members,” Diaz explained.
She said the outreach campaign centers are offering vaccine access to under-vaccinated populations in Black and Brown communities. Meanwhile, health officials said with the rise of the Delta variant, the best way to reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill and keep yourself out of the hospital is to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
“When we consider how contagious this current variant of the COVID-19 virus is, we feel good about being able to offer these vaccinations because it helps to protect the members of our community, their family members, their co-workers, and their other close contacts,” Diaz continued.
The LA County Library began reopening locations in mid-April. During the pandemic, it became a neccesity to offer more than books and internet access.
“We missed being open to the public,” Diaz said. “We have been so anxious to be back with our people in our communities and to offer them services.”
Upcoming vaccine clinics include:
• Tue, Aug. 24, 1 – 2:45 p.m. at the Leland R. Weaver Library in South Gate
• Tue, Aug. 24, 1 – 2:45 p.m. at the East Rancho Dominguez Library
• Wed, Aug. 25, 10 a.m. -1:45 p.m. at the Paramount Library in Paramount
• Wed, Aug. 25 1 – 2:45 p.m. at the Bell Gardens Library in Bell Gardens
The list of locations is expected to expand in September. For a full list of upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics at LA County libraries, visit lacountylibrary.org/covid-vaccine
