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September 16, 2020 <br /> We still don't know when the world will find its new normal, so this focused work <br /> in a virtual world will remain a 2021 priority. <br /> Our neighborhood groups for example, as well as our boards and commissions, <br /> have had to go online. Our community development team will continue to support <br /> these groups and their adaptation to changing circumstances. <br /> Our 2021 budget also includes funding for matching grants for our neighborhoods. <br /> These grants not only create opportunities for community connections and <br /> neighborhood improvements, but also bring a strong return on investment for the <br /> City,with the amount of volunteer hours and in-kind donations that are generated <br /> by our neighborhoods. <br /> Our libraries have truly embraced virtual services, and I've been very impressed <br /> by how our library teams adapted their service model to continue providing our <br /> community with resources, even while being closed. <br /> They have had great success promoting and expanding their e-resources, <br /> providing curbside service and hosting virtual programs to meet our community's <br /> needs for entertainment and lifelong learning. They also kicked off a video story- <br /> telling series, with City staff reading their favorite children's books. <br /> This year we'll launch One Everett One Book, an annual community-wide reading <br /> program in partnership with WSU-Everett, Everett Community College and Everett <br /> Public Schools. This will continue into next year. <br /> For 2021, our budget includes continued support for the expansion of our virtual <br /> programming, continued curbside service (until it's safe to open our doors), and <br /> funds for books and materials. <br /> I have been hearing loud and clear that people love our libraries! The past few <br /> weeks, I received more calls and emails from community members advocating in <br /> support of the library than any other service, so it's clear how much this resource <br /> is valued by our community. Parents and teachers especially have a passion for <br /> children's programming. I recently met with participants of the Parent Leadership <br /> Training Institute, where I heard from our Hispanic parents the importance of our <br /> library services to their community. <br /> I. <br /> ZS2 <br />