Libraries’ digital loans soar during lockdown
USE of online resources in Lancashire libraries has increased significantly since the coronavirus lockdown began.
Although libraries are currently closed in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, people still have access to a variety of resources such as eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers, comics and magazines.
More people are accessing digital books and audiobooks through BorrowBox since the coronavirus outbreak, as they find new ways to keep themselves occupied while staying at home.
There has been a rise of 2,670 people signing up for the service since January.
Loans of eAudiobooks increased from 11,771 in January to 15,484 in March.
The increase in eBooks is even greater, with loans increasing from 9,845 in January to 14,261 in April.
An additional 2,500 eAudiobooks and more than 2,000 eBooks have been purchased to meet the demand.
New titles are being added frequently to ensure there is plenty of choice and availability of titles.
In addition to extra funding committed by the county council to help people during the crisis, additional funding of £1,000 has also been received from Arts Council England and another £1,000 from eBook provider Bolinda.
New digital activities have also been launched, with those on social media, including the Monday Lego Club on Twitter and Facebook, and a lunchtime break book club every two weeks on Twitter.
Library audiences can also enjoy a story performed by Spot On Lancashire each week.
A specific session is performed for children, and another one for adults.
Cllr Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: “We know how much people in Lancashire value their libraries.
“While branches must be closed to help to combat the spread of Covid-19, it’s fantastic to see that more people than ever are discovering and enjoying the wide range of online material we offer, with a surge in requests for online resources.
“We want to support people as much as possible during this time.
“That’s why we have launched more digital services for home use and why our staff are working online to continue to engage with families in the many library activities.
“We have been delivering online 24/7 services for a number of years and we have continued to develop and add online content whenever we can.
“In the current challenging time when our library buildings are closed these are now more relevant than ever.”
Other services include:
The Lancashire Volunteer Partnership’s phone befriending service while the home library service is temporarily stopped due to coronavirus.
Online resources which are a useful tool for parents who are available home schooling their children.
Remote access has also been arranged for library members to the popular family history resource Ancestry.com
The service Ask a Lancashire Librarian, where librarians staff a web-based inquiry service Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm has continued. Out of those hours you can submit a question and the service will get back to you the next working day.
A new magazine, newspaper and comic download library.
Customers will not be charged for the late return of any items while libraries are closed, but they should renew books online if they are able to, or by calling 0300 123 6704.
Library users are also being asked to hold on to their books and not try to post them through letter boxes or leave them outside libraries.
For more information, go to www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries.