Libraries’ digital offering is more popular than ever
WEXFORD Library Service has one of the highest usages of e-book and e-audiobook lending in the country with over 5,000 Wexford people now registered with the Borrowbox e-book app.
Library usage in County Wexford continues to grow and there are currently over 32,000 active members of the five branches and two mobile libraries.
County Librarian Eileen Morrissey said: ‘We are encouraging members of the public to avail of our free online services. People in Wexford have really embraced the Borrowbox e-book app which is a free service that allows them to download books to their tablet or mobile devices for a three week period. People find the service particularly convenient while travelling.’
In the last three weeks library staff have seen a huge demand from people who would like to use the e-book service during the COVID crisis. In response, the Department of Rural and Community Development has made an additional €200,000 available to supplement the e-book collection. Currently there are more than 15,000 e-book titles available and almost 9,000 e-audio book titles available in all genres for children and adults.
Thousands of library users have been accessing the suite of free online services since restrictions saw library buildings closed on March 20.
There were over half a million visits to Co Wexford library branches in 2019 and over 581,000 items were borrowed.
‘Following an announcement of the closure of schools and cultural institutions by An Taoiseach on March 12 all public libraries and the mobile and Archive service in County Wexford were closed to the public.’
The Library and Archive Service continues to provide telephone and email support to customers answering queries and providing online content.
Joining the library has never been easier: ‘We have relaxed our membership rules during this time so that people can join the library, get a virtual library card and PIN and use the e-resources without visiting their local library. You can now join the library online at www.librariesireland. ie/join-your-library.’
The mobile library service has been temporarily suspended due to the Covid 19 restrictions. ‘We hope to resume this important service to rurally isolated communities along with a targeted homebound delivery service as soon as possible following public health advice.’
Services for Children during COVID 19 include: Spring into Storytime, the libraries’ annual celebration of families reading together. This year the festival will be delivered online with children being able to enjoy their usual library storytime in their own homes.
Wexford Library Service has also commissioned two fun and engaging singing workshop videos for children aged from approximately 4 to 12 years. ‘Hosted by traditional singer Aileen Lambert, there will be actions to do and lots of fun and silly and interesting bits to accompany the songs that children can learn. They will be available next week on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the Wexford libraries website, where the full range of online services can be explored.’
Finally for anyone culture buffs who are missing the library event programmes, a great recommendation is a series of podcasts recorded live in Wexford Library in the past few months. Hosted by the inimitable writer and journalist Peter Murphy (aka Cursed Murphy) these interviews feature the singer and actor Maria Doyle Kennedy, writer Rob Doyle, singer Jerry Fish and poet Annemarie Ni Churreáin.
This podcast was recorded live by Dan Comerford and was supported by the Arts Department of Wexford County Council.