A public library during corona
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Catharina Isberg's PP from the ALA webinar of June 11. Part of the webinar Series Title: Libraries Reopening: A Perspective of Best Practices from Around the World in the Time of COVID-19 Webinar Abstract: ALA International Relations Round Table (IRRT) Webinar Committee will run a series of free webinars focusing on perspectives from libraries around the world dealing with COVID-19. Presenters will address the following questions. What risks are libraries expecting to be associated with the reopening? What is the library strategy to protect their users, the library staff, the building, and the materials? What are the safety measures that libraries are putting in place? What is the training the staff need? What communications channels are you using or plan to use to communicate the staff safety? In late 2019, the world started to hear about a novel coronavirus and was soon announced as a global pandemic creating many challenges, including Libraries. Libraries had to act fast in addressing global pandemic preparedness and planning to reopen. Reopening during a global pandemic requires preparation that includes safe reopening policies and practices that best protect library workers and its patrons. This webinar series will help us to learn from libraries in Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mexico, Qatar, Netherlands, Sweden and Australia on how they addressed and are currently addressing the reopening of libraries during the challenging time of COVID-19. June 11 - Helsingborg City Libraries and Mjölby Public Library, Sweden
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A public library during corona
- 1. 2020-06-11 A Public Library during Corona – an example from Helsingborg City Libraries Catharina Isberg Library Director, Helsingborg, Sweden ALA Webinar - Libraries Reopening: A Perspective of Best Practices from Around the World in the Time of COVID-19
- 2. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 2 • Helsingborg City Libraries • Overview of the situation – national and local • A local example – Pandemic plan – Measurements taken – Updated services – Staff training and communication • Future Agenda
- 3. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 3 • 147 734 inhabitants • Digital library, main library, 9 branches, 1 bus • Organized in 4 departments: Read, Search, Meet, Digbib/Media • Part of the ”Helsingborg Family Libraries” – collaboration between 11 cities in northwestern Scania Helsingborg City Libraries
- 4. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 4 • The Covid-19 situation is different in different parts of Sweden, which affects the types of measurements taken as well as the timing • The situation in Scania: At this point, there is limited spread of Covid-19 in this region, but this may change with time • As the situation evolves, so do the actions taken National and local situation
- 5. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 5 • Following national guidelines and regulations https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/smittskydd-beredskap/utbrott/aktuella-utbrott/covid-19/skydda-dig-och- andra/information-pa-olika-sprak/engelska/ • Making local decisions depending on local conditions • Different cities have taken different approaches on dealing with Corona • In some cities, the library is considered as an important service of society during the crisis • An FAQ in English is available on: https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/the-public-health-agency-of-sweden/communicable-disease- control/covid-19/ National or local?
- 7. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 7 Prioritized services during the pandemic: 1. Free access to information and knowledge 2. Digital library 3. Phone call services, digital customer services, voice books phone service and library lending management 4. Library catalogue/system 5. The Main Library's Digidel* section 6. Idé A Drottninghög library branch Digidel* section * Digital competence center Local Pandemic Plan – City Libraries
- 9. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 9 Some examples: • Virtual meetings and digital communication • Avoid rush hours when commuting • Work from home when possible • Increased spacing in the staff areas • Gloves and hand sanitizer available to staff • Pins: “Please keep the distance” • Increased communication efforts for the public and the staff • Medical expert guiding the staff • Staff shifting from physically close assistance to giving instructions from a safer distance. Reduce the risk of transmission
- 11. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 11 Some examples: • Information about the Coronavirus • Signs about hygiene & guidelines – Keep a distance – Wash your hands frequently for 30 seconds – Cough or sneeze in the arm fold – Stay at home when ill • More frequent cleaning • No cash handling • Distance markers, signs to ‘keep a distance’, plexiglass • Close 50% of the computers • Fewer chairs and tables – provide more space Reduce the risk of transmission
- 13. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 13 • Maximum number of visitors – 2 visitors • One staff member outside the bus • Queue system outside • Return box available outside the bus • Distance markings and plexiglass at the information desk • Signs to remind visitors to keep a distance Library bus
- 14. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 14 Based on the recommendations from the Public Health Authority and: • Size of the library • Local conditions Library branches – allow 10, 15, or 20 people at a time. The main library – currently no restrictions Maximum number of visitors
- 15. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 15 • Closed every other computer • Time limit on computer usage • Limit the amount of assistance at the computers and providing instructions from a distance • Temporarily removing print fees Computers
- 16. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 16 • Risk assessments of all events/programs/activities • Trying to avoid cancellation of events by adjusting, delaying or digitizing them. • Limiting the number of participants for activities and events based on the size of the room from anywhere between 10 to 40 people. Events/programs/activities
- 17. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 17 • Increased digital services and tips on the website • Increased E-media budget • Fines for delayed book returns are temporarily removed • Extended lending time • “The mobile book 70+” • Increased telephone time service • New chat function on the website • Shift from physical events/ programs/ activities to other channels Updated services to allow more remote library services
- 18. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 18 • Shift from physical events/ programs/ activities to other channels • Examples: streaming of an or videos or the digital drawing workshop which moved into the virtual space https://digiteket.se/inspirationsartikel/bibblan-ritar-i-helsingborg/ …updated services to allow more remote library services
- 19. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 19 • Daily/weekly mail updates • Intranet • Meetings • Risk assessment and documentation • Medical expert at staff meeting • Webinars • Learn from each other • Workplace learning Communication and staff training
- 20. 2020-06-11 2020-06-11 Sida 20 • Continue to follow the situation closely • Start to move from crisis management to the normal trust based management • Get back to the bottom-up approach • Sustainability and long-term work • The ”new normal”? • Use the insights in the future business Future
- 21. 2020-06-11 Ensure free access to information and knowledge for everyone, so that we continue to ensure freedom of expression and opinion as well as facilitate participation in the democratic society Catharina Isberg, Library Director Catharina.isberg@helsingborg.se
Editor's Notes
- This is a brief summary of some of the plans and continuing efforts that are taken in order to keep the library open during the Corona Crisis. As the situation evolves, so do the actions taken. It is important to note that the situation in Scania, the southern region of Sweden is different than other parts of the country, which affects the types of measures taken as well as the timing. At this point, there is limited spread of Covid-19 in this region, but this may change with time.
- Libraries in Sweden are all following the national guidelines and regulations and making local decisions depending on the local conditions. Each municipality is entitled to make decisions at a local level unless there is a government decision to overrule the local. Different cities have taken different approaches on dealing with Corona. In some cities, the library is considered as an important society service and thus is prioritized during the crisis (although not as critical for society as health care, for example). At the local level we are taking into account a substantial number of national recommendations and regulations in order to keep the library as safe as possible and limit the spread of the virus, such as keeping a distance. While the recommendations and regulations are not specific to libraries, they are quite clear for some other public spaces, such as restaurants and schools among others. We are keeping up to date with the situation as it evolves. For the most up to date and accurate information, we refer to the Public Health Authority website https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/smittskydd-beredskap/utbrott/aktuella-utbrott/covid-19/skydda-dig-och-andra/information-pa-olika-sprak/engelska/ (in English) An FAQ in English is available on: https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/the-public-health-agency-of-sweden/communicable-disease-control/covid-19/ At a national level there is also a Swedish library Corona Facebook group available, where we share a lot of information and learn from each other. The National Library of Sweden has investigated how public libraries are handling the situation (in Swedish) https://www.kb.se/samverkan-och-utveckling/biblioteken-under-corona/nationell-overblick/folkbibliotek.html
- Early during the Corona-crisis different institutions started to refer to their web pages. But what about all those people who don’t have access to the digital information arena? 1177 is a great example of a national digital service. Via the web or phone people get access to accurate health related information.
- Pandemic Plan Our local pandemic plan for the city library maps out which services of the library that are prioritized as the situation progresses. This details out which parts of the library can be open if the situation gets much worse. Since there is still limited spread of the virus in this region, we have implemented the necessary parts of this plan and are prepared to take more measures if or when it is required. The plan lists the prioritized services in this order: Free access to information and knowledge, in order to ensure freedom of expression and opinion as well as facilitate participation in the democratic society. During the pandemic, this is limited to prioritized topics. Ensure that everyone has adequate access to information, by having available staff, access to accurate information sources as well as access to technology. This is the base of the library business and of special importance as other businesses and authorities are going digital and they refer to digital information and services in the crisis. This service is especially essential to those who are not digital included, who on a daily level are using the library digital competence center. Digital library Update and secure the operation of the digital library including e-collection, webpage, social media and library e-mail addresses (in relation to accessing information). Provide accurate information and ensure the functionality and management of the digital library. Guide users to access information and knowledge during the pandemic. Phone call services, chat, voice books phone service and library lending management Ensuring access to the library remotely by phone, chat and other services in order to keep the continuity of access to information and knowledge. Library catalogue/system Ensure the most essential functions of the Mikromarc library system to ensure free access to information. The City Library's Digidel section is open during regular opening hours. Digidel – the digital competence center - at the main library is kept open with regular staff. If the situation worsens, this will be a section that will remain functional even if the rest of the library needs to be closed. (We are currently not in this situation). Idé A Drottninghög library branch would remain open based on regular opening hours. Digidel – the digital competence center - at the Idé A Drottninghög library branch is kept open with regular staff. If the situation worsens, activities will be limited to digital competence services and the remainder of the library would be closed. Other branch libraries are still open, but would be closed if the situation calls for it.
- Examples of actions taken There are many actions taken in order to reduce the risk of transmission and make the library as safe as possible to both the staff and the public. We continuously follow the national recommendations. Avoid rush hours when commuting
- Reduce the risk of transmission Increase virtual meetings and digital communication Avoid rush hours when commuting Work from home when possible, with a long list of things that can be done from home Staff spread the message by wearing pins that say “Please keep a distance” Gloves and hand sanitizer available to staff Staff shifting from physically close assistance to giving instructions from a safer distance. Staff frequently discussing ways to provide assistance to library patrons and handle common situations during these times Guest lecture by medical expert to the staff meeting to share facts and recommendations about corona virus and the current situation More spacing in the staff areas to allow for social distancing
- Library bus Maximum number of visitors on the bus is two Queue system outside with distance Return box available outside the bus Distance markings inside the bus Plexiglas at the information desk Signs to remind visitors to keep a distance inside the bus as well as on the door
- Maximum number of visitors at the libraries In order to keep the libraries open, there is a limit of the maximum allowable people on the premises at any given time based on the recommendations from the public health officials. Depending on the local conditions and size of the library, the library branches allow 10, 15, or 20 people, while the bus only allows 2 at a time. The main library currently has no restrictions due to the large drop in the number of visitors and its large area.
- Supervision/guidance in computers and technology Closed every other computer Imposed a time limit on using a computer Using a stylus pointer to guide visitors using computers to maintain a safe distance Limit the amount of assistance at the computers and providing instructions from a distance - pointers Temporarily removing print fees
- Events/programs/activities Risk assessments of all events/programs/activities Trying to avoid cancellation of events by adjusting, delaying or digitizing them. Limiting the number of participants for activities and events based on the size of the room from anywhere between 10 to 40 people.
- The library will continue to follow the local and national guidelines closely, which means we may need to impose more restrictions with time. This is in order to keep everyone as safe as possible and to keep the library as operational as possible during this time. We believe during this crisis it is especially important to ensure free access to information and knowledge for everyone, so that we continue to ensure freedom of expression and opinion as well as facilitate participation in the democratic society.