by Beth Staats
Quick Summary
Hybrid library services, which took off as a pandemic response, are now a permanent model, with libraries balancing in-person, digital, and remote services while focusing on sustainable implementation.
Hybrid began as a response to the disruption of the COVID pandemic but has since evolved into the structure of modern library service. Across Minnesota and beyond, libraries are balancing in-person programming with virtual access, physical collections with digital services, and on-site assistance with remote support. The question is no longer whether to offer hybrid services; it’s how to sustain them thoughtfully. In many communities, program attendance has rebounded, storytimes are full, and book clubs are thriving.
Libraries offering livestreamed events, recorded programs, and online registration systems have expanded who can participate to include caregivers who can’t attend during traditional hours, rural patrons with transportation barriers, individuals with mobility or health concerns, and community members balancing work schedules. Hybrid programming is not simply about broadcasting events online; it’s about designing participation with multiple entry points. Libraries making hybrid work well think about accessibility from the start, asking whether a program can reach people both in person and online. Considering this early on can influence technology choices, room setup, staff roles, and how the program’s success is measured.
In many communities, print circulation remains strong, and patrons still find value in browsing shelves, getting staff recommendations, and accessing physical materials. At the same time, digital services are core offerings. Library patrons expect 24/7 access to materials, mobile-friendly interfaces, and content that can be downloaded. The hybrid approach shifts the focus from choosing between print and digital to integrating both effectively. Libraries must view them as complementary access points serving different needs and moments. This change influences library priorities and discussions and has implications for space planning, budget allocation, and sustainability. A hybrid collection strategy requires flexibility and ongoing reassessment.
The hybrid library is not a temporary compromise. It is a long-term structure that reflects how communities live, learn, and connect today. In Minnesota, this is already evident in how libraries serve populations with diverse needs and lifestyles. Whether offering a storytime livestream for a parent who can’t make an evening program in Woodbury, a drop-in tech help session on Google Meet for seniors, or an outdoor “book bike” visit in Rochester.
The work ahead is not about returning to a pre-2020 model or constantly expanding services. Instead, it focuses on defining a balanced and sustainable hybrid approach that reflects local values and realities. In practice, this may involve considering which services thrive in person, where virtual access can remove obstacles, and how staffing, technology, and space can be coordinated so that hybrid offerings support one another rather than create strain. The hybrid library isn’t just about offering both physical and digital formats for the sake of it. It’s about meeting the real needs of your community thoughtfully, prioritizing responsive service over formats, and balancing the diverse needs of Minnesotans with the finite resources libraries offer on their behalf.
For more information on programming in hybrid libraries, take a look at the following article available via eLibrary Minnesota:
Parish, Z., & Bryant, J. (2025). The INS and OUTS of Hybrid Programming. Computers in Libraries, 45(4), 12–15.
