Collective Responsibility Labor Advocacy Toolkit

COVID-19 Emergency Resources for Contingent LAM Workers

Repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the economic disparity of our gutted social system and precarious structures. This collection of resources includes emergency funds, mutual aid networks, and additional resources to assist those who have lost jobs or income as a result of the pandemic. Because of the emerging nature of these resources, some may be more up to date than others. If you have recommendations for others which should be included, contact us.

LAM-Specific Emergency Funds

A list of emergency funds designed to assist LAM Workers who have been laid off, furloughed, or otherwise lost income:

Fund URL Summary
Archival Workers Emergency Fund Details/Application and Organizing Committee website Open to US-based archival workers who have worked in an archival institution within the last year and who have lost income as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Receipients will receive grants of up to $1000 and a complimentary 1-year membership to Society of American Archivists
BIPOC Library Residents Matchmaking Survey: Meeting Immediate Needs During COVID-19 and BIPOC Resident Needs Survey Mutual aid connection-building project. Matchmaking survey allows people to volunteer time, support, and resources to assist BIPOC residents. Resident needs survey allows BIPOC Residents to specify their needs during this time. Results of matchmaking survey can be seen here and residents may reach out directly.
Help a Library Worker Out Details and application Open to US-based library workers who have urgent financial needs (groceries, rent, childcare, phone, internet, gas, insurance, etc) due to their or their household members’ or co-parent's job loss or hours reduction.
MARAC Mutual Aid Fund Details and link to application A form used to connect people who need or can provide support, from professional mentorship and materials review to emotional support to housing/food support, to supplies.
Museum Workers Relief Fund Details/Sign up to be notified of application opening and GoFundMe donation page Any museum worker in the U.S. who has been laid off, furloughed, or otherwise severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are intended for museum workers in the most precarious financial situations, even pre-crisis. “Museum workers” covers anyone working in museums including janitorial staff, cafe workers, interns, and more. Recipients will be chosen randomly to receive $500.
Tri-State Relief Fund to Support Non-Salaried Workers in the Visual Arts Website and application One-time unrestricted cash grants of $2,000 each to freelance, contract, or non-salaried archivists, art handlers, artist/photographer's assistants, cataloguers, database specialists, digital assets specialists, image scanners/digitizers, and registrars.
Library Association of CUNY Details and links to application/google form One-time grant of up to $200 or non-monetary mutual aid such as rides, help with errands, or professional support.

Mutual Aid Resources

Mutual Aid is “a practice and politics that emphasizes solidarity, rather than charity” (101 Toolkit). Through networks of mutual aid, we share the resources of our community with each other: money for rent and groceries, food and medicine delivery for those unable to get to the store, childcare, and anything else you can think of. As these are generally local, the resource pages we share below include ways to find mutual aid in your area or to organize mutual aid locally.

Organizing Initiatives

Petitions

Bibliography and Documentation