Bringing Your Library Community Back Together After Covid

It’s no secret that the way we all live our lives has changed since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic. Subsequently, what we now expect from services, such as the library, has evolved alongside our daily routines.

From flexible working to online ordering, self-service technology, AI, bots, voice control to how we communicate and even book holidays. We have seen innovation on a mass scale over the last two years.

As we adapt to our new normal, libraries could find it challenging to navigate new consumer behaviors and demands. As a result, you may feel like your library needs to re-establish its value in your community with modern incentives.

So, the question is, how can you encourage a thriving library community in our new normal?

Libraries hold a crucial role in their communities. So don’t underestimate your value. Even in lockdown, the services provided by libraries have huge benefits.

According to a study by CarnegieUK Trust, around 3 in 10 UK adults engaged with public library services during the pandemic. Although that may not sound monumental, that adds up to just over 15 million people. On a further promising note, 60% of individuals said that their engagement with their local library positively impacted their well-being and that they felt more connected to their community.

So, get online and shout about your collections, new editions, events, and facilities. Offer services to schools and local clubs and re-establish your ability to bring people together.

Public library services can offer support to some of the most disadvantaged members of the community. A service that has potentially never been more important after the pandemic.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a study in August that showed that over 40% of adults in the United States reported struggling with mental health challenges or substance use during the pandemic.

Offering a support team at your library lets your community know that you have dedicated time and resources to help. Provide drop-ins, reading lists, and create landing pages on your website with links to online resources. For children and teens, create a dedicated area where they can escape or talk to a professional. Ask for volunteers to support your efforts, and ensure library staff look out for distressed patrons who may need help.

There is a major need to support students who missed out on face-to-face learning during the pandemic. Young adults, in particular, will now be looking to catch up or make new decisions about their futures.

During the pandemic, library staff demonstrated their skills in ways communities could never have predicted. According to a study by LibrariesConnected, library staff presented a considerable overlap in customer service skills, learning, and support skills, knowledgeable management skills, and adaptability. Therefore, are the perfect role models to educate and inspire the next generation.

Libraries have the reputation and materials to support the development of children, teens, and those looking to advance their careers. Ensure your patrons have access to essential online learnings and make parents and schools aware of your resources.

The first step towards creating safer libraries is to acknowledge that they are not always the quiet, idyllic spaces that the masses tend to think they are; they are open public places with all the risks that come with that.

For your library to deliver at its full potential, it’s worth ensuring enough space and facilities to offer all patrons an equal opportunity to receive the support and library materials they require.This may mean reevaluating your library design.

Go that extra mile to ensure your library is clean and Covid measures are in place. Libraries are hubs for communication and connection and should therefore, showcase best practices.

As we emerge from the pandemic and start to encounter the challenges of long-term Covid effects, it’s now time to encourage and support post-Covid-19 cultural activities that include trips to the library and bridging the literacy gap for the community’s most disadvantaged members.