Libraries and the Coronavirus: The Challenges

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The novel coronavirus has changed lives worldwide, and quickly created a new normal for hundreds of millions of people — including those who depend on local libraries for services and sanctuary. On Point reports on what resources libraries can offer now, with Eva Mitnick, the director of the Los Angeles Public Library’s Central Library.

The COVID 19 pandemic has forced many businesses and services to shut down in order to cooperate with social distancing and stay-at-home orders, but for some services, like the Los Angeles Public Library, the shutdowns mean even more work.

Librarians have moved books to places where people can get them even during the lockdown, like shelters. And they’ve worked with city officials to help people who relied on the library for internet access find ways to get online.

While library buildings themselves are closed, library staff have been working to upgrade and provide services online through their websites, or through different social media sites like Facebook or Instagram. Another change has been the shift to electronic book checkout. Once libraries open again, readers can also be excited about the elimination of late fees and fines.

Central Library Director Eva Mitnick said she hopes these changes will bring more people back to the library once the lockdowns are over. She says public libraries serve the community in many ways, whether it’s through access to books and the internet, or by being a hub for many other community services.

The move to online resources made the library system make some necessary changes to its website and online services. The website now is much more streamlined and user friendly, and  includes interfaces in six different languages.

Mitnick said that these changes won’t be the last ones though. Library staff and officials will be meeting throughout the pandemic and after, to make sure that the system can stay ahead of the curve once the doors open again.

Producer: Nicholas Gargiulo

Video Editors: Wiam Dahbi and Karina Gutierrez

Reporters: Wiam Dahbi, Nicholas Gargiulo, Karina Gutierrez, Ashley Hawn, Cristal Morales Rodriguez and Christian Pineda

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