JOHNSON COUNTY — Local libraries across the state are taking on a new task and working to help people schedule their COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
Community members who are unable to make an appointment on their own can call or stop by more than 230 participating libraries across the state for assistance.
The Johnson County Public Library has partnered with the health department for this effort.
“We can help them in multiple ways. If they want to be scheduled outside of Johnson County we can help them get into the 211 portal and register them at any clinic around the state,"said Amber Turner, HR Manager for the Johnson County Public Library. "If they’re interested in attending the clinic at Johnson Memorial Health, then we can see appointments in real-time and schedule appointments at the hospital in Franklin.”
So far, staff with the Johnson County Public Library has helped around 150 people schedule their vaccine appointments.
They expect to help even more Hoosiers when the vaccine eligibility requirements expand to include those 65 and older.
“A lot of these people don’t have internet access, they don’t have a device they are able to access the internet on, or they are just not sure how to navigate the site, so that is where we step in," said Heather Petro, Circulation Manager at the Clark Pleasant Branch of the Johnson County Public Library. "We can help them over the phone or in person, whatever they'd like.”
“We are a trusted environment so they feel comfortable giving us their name, phone number, and address,” Turner said.
Statewide, libraries have scheduled appointments for more than 1,300 Hoosiers and they have reached out to more than 66,000 with information about the vaccine.
You can find more information about how the Johnson County Public Library is helping Hoosiers with vaccine appointments here.
