Some of the first organisations closed due to COVID-19 were libraries. Eastern Regional Libraries (ERL) closed their branches on Friday 20 March while Whitehorse Manningham Libraries (WML) closed a few days later. Return chutes remained open and some staff continued to work in the library answering queries by phone or email but the branches were not open to the public. Major reference libraries such as state libraries and the National Library also closed along as archives and museums.
It has been interesting to see how libraries have continued to promote and provide services when patrons cannot physically visit the buildings to use the services.
Borrowing Items
Before ERL closed their doors an email was sent to patrons advising them of the closure and listing reservations that should be collected. The return date for all borrowed items was extended until the libraries reopened. Fines for late items would not be charged. At the time of the closure I had a number of items still on loan and collected two reservations before the branches closed. When I finished reading a book I returned it through the return chute at Knox Library.
When it was obvious that the libraries would be closed for prolonged time, the public libraries experimented with other ways to physically lend collection items.
Click and Collect used by many stores was the first method tried. A number of library services in Australia utilised the Click and Collect service. Patrons reserved items online or asked staff to select items for them. The items were charged out to the patron and the patron was informed that the items were ready for collection. This service was offered for only a few days at ERL and WML.
During the past few weeks a Click for Home Delivery service has been in operation. Patrons reserve items or ask staff to select items for them. When the items arrive at the selected branch patrons contact the library and ask for the items to be delivered. I tested this system by ordering two books which were sent to my home via Australia Post. The system worked well though it took eight days from the time the items were boxed until they arrived at my home in the next suburb. Australia Post has been struggling to deliver the additional demand for parcel delivery due to COVID-19. Needless to say an extended loan period is provided for items borrowed in this way.
From June 1 ERL decided to reintroduce Click and Collect until the libraries reopened in the middle of June.
Online Resources
Libraries in Australia have been providing online resources to library patrons for many years. The forced library shutdowns have encouraged libraries to promote these resources more widely.
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| Some WML online resources |
For many years library members have been able to download e-books and audio books via library services. They can also have access to some film services, music, magazines, newspapers, databases and online courses. ERL provides the list of online services available via the Digital Library section of their web page. For WML the resources are to be found under their eLibrary section.
Family History Resources
Since the lockdown libraries have spent time promoting these resources to patrons via email newsletters and on Facebook.
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| From ERL website |
Ancestry Library Edition and Find My Past Library Edition, normally only accessed in the library, have been made available to library members at home for the duration of library closures due to COVID-19. These resources are also available, for a short time, via the State Library of Victoria website for those with a SLV library card.
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| From ERL website |
The availability to these resources has greatly benefited those undertaking family history research while confined at home.
A number of museums, archives and major research libraries have also made many of their resources more readily available online.
Online Resources for Children
Public libraries have a range of online resources for children
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| From WML website |
In Victoria the libraries closed just before the children finished school for the term. A major activity in public libraries is the school holiday program. Members of the childrens' services staff would have already prepared the the program for the Easter holidays. This would have had to be put aside. Instead, at short notice, they designed a holiday program which could be accessed online.
Regular storytime sessions are available online - often via Facebook - for younger children.
This year National Simultaneous Storytime was held throughout Australia on 27 May online with each library service arranging for a visiting personality to read the same book.
Programs for Adults
Library programs including book discussions, author talks and information sessions were also available online.
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| Information session |
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| Craft session |
Public Returns to Libraries
Step 1
WML plans to reopen to the public on Tuesday 9 June from 10 am to 5 pm Mondays to Saturdays. Only twenty patrons are allowed in the library at a time with a 30 minute time limit per patron. Patrons' names and phone numbers will be recorded on entry. Hand sanitisers available for people entering and leaving the library. Public computers available for one 30 minute period per patron but due to social distancing staff will be unable to provide assistance in computer use. Books to be returned via the return chutes. Most library activities will continue to be offered online.
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