FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF)- In an effort to keep City of Fort Worth essential employees safe, The Fort Worth Public Library is hosting a collection drive for homemade masks.
“We have a number of city employees who are still working directly with the public and keeping our city moving and we want to give them the protection they need,” said Manya Shorr Director of the Fort Worth Public Library.
While the City has ordered additional manufactured protective masks, the demand for them is so great that some orders may not be fulfilled for months. “We’ve reached a point in this country where it’s difficult to purchase masks and that’s why we are asking for homemade masks,” said Shorr. “We know there are many people looking for a way to help so whether you have a sewing machine or not you can make a mask,” she said.
Shorr said this comes after the success from the personal protective equipment drive a couple of weeks ago. “We collected over 12,000 pairs of gloves and almost 14,000 masks, based on the success of that the city has asked the library to do this drive again for homemade masks,” she said.
The goal is to collect at least 15,000 homemade masks, which is two per city employee, and the City is seeking only masks made to the specifications below:
- 100% cotton is best
- Multiple layers of fabric
- Do not include any metal within the mask
- Ear straps or ties for behind the head are fine, whichever is available
- Must be able to be washed and dried without changing size or shape
Masks may be dropped off at any time into the book drops at the following Fort Worth Public Library locations:
- Central Library, 500 W. 3rd
- Southwest Regional Library, 4001 Library Lane
- Northwest Branch Library, 6228 Crystal Lake Drive
Donations will be collected and stored under current CDC safety guidelines before they are distributed to City employees who need them.
The book drops are open only for mask donations. Patrons who have library materials checked out are asked to keep them until Fort Worth Library buildings reopen and are accepting returns. No late fines will be charged or accounts blocked for items that are kept past the due date while the libraries are temporarily closed to the public.
The CDC offers instructions for two types of handmade masks – sewn and not sewn – as well as instructions for wearing, removing and washing them. Find information on this page.
Watch a video tutorial from Fort Worth Public Library staff member Ian Garland here.
Hear Kat Boonzaier’s Story Here:
