We love reading in lockdown

Renfrewshire bookworms have flocked online to borrow more than 24,000 ebooks and emagazines from libraries during lockdown.

The impressive figure is nearly double the amount over the same period of time last year.

Library staff have made the most of digital technology to meet the massive demand for services online during the coronavirus crisis, with Renfrewshire Leisure now beginning the gradual restart of physical operations at its libraries on Monday .

This will start with a click and collect service.

But library staff will continue to develop their online offering alongside in- library services after experiencing huge demand for activities including quizzes, games, storytimes and writing workshops.

Joyce Higgins, digital and library development manager at Renfrewshire Leisure, said: “While we may not have physically had people visiting our libraries in the past few mont h s, o u r o n l i n e engagement has gone through the roof.

“We have been blown away by the engagement in the services and activities we have been running online and via social media.

“Our team have done a tremendous job in the way they have innovated, reimagined some of our services for online and ensured that, despite our physical buildings having been closed, we have continued to work with huge numbers of people across Renfrewshire to support their health and wellbeing during lockdown.

“We are excited about continuing to develop our online offering.”

Between March 18 and July 13, Renfrewshire Leisure recorded 24,000 eloans consisting of 16,963 ebooks and audiobooks and 7,096 emagazines.

That compares to 9,267 ebooks and audiobooks and 4,096 emagazines, a 13,363 total, between the same dates last year.

Other online successes have included Bookbug sessions, which have been led by Kirstie Burns, a volunteer at Renfrew Library.