Just released! Survey results of Ontario Public Library Response to COVID-19
While public libraries across Ontario were ordered to close to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in March, OLA’s Ontario Public Library Response to COVID-19 survey shows that libraries remained very active during this period of physical distancing. You can read the full report online here.
Highlights:
Libraries have continued to offer relevant programming and services to their communities. Libraries have been:
- Offering digital resources to their communities.
- Developing virtual programming for children and adults, including story times, book clubs, technology training, and more.
- Amplifying public health messaging around COVID-19.
- Organizing care calls to seniors and vulnerable populations.
- Creating personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Facilitating card renewals and temporary/virtual card registration.
At the same time, the closure has had a significant impact on the way that libraries work:
- Libraries saw a significant change in how their libraries have been staffed, with libraries reporting that some staff had temporarily stopped working.
- 50% of libraries laid off or furloughed some staff members.
- For those staff still working, many transitioned to working from home.
- With this shift, libraries supported staff working from home, lending laptops or other devices and facilitating remote access to library systems.