The coronavirus pandemic has impacted everyone and everything in some way, and the London Public Library is no exception.
Michael Ciccone, CEO and Chief Librarian of London Public Library, explained that due to the pandemic that the whole idea of “the library as a place concept” has been impacted. Which has led to meeting rooms and study rooms being closed. Also, they shifted to online programming such as trivia on Mondays and Wednesday, story times, as well as many other programs. But they also successfully moved their one-on-one mentoring programs and the read program online. He said that they have had some sort of service throughout all of this even if it is simply a pickup service.
“We developed a ‘we pick program’ that allows our librarians to use their skills in selecting materials for a patron and then they just put it in a bag and the patrons come and get it and they go home and read the suggestions that the staff had. It’s been something that we love to do so this has given us the opportunity to do that. And we also now offer a print from home service. They can submit their printing job and then they can just pick it up from any location. That sort of mitigates one of the issues we’ve had with not being able to offer computer access,” said Ciccone.
When the library is allowed to be open for the public to come in, there is no issue with people being able to access a computer with a time limit. But during lockdowns, it can be challenging for some who either do not have a computer or do not have access to the internet. Ciccone admits that this is tough but that the library is still renting out Wi-Fi hotspots. It’s just that there is a long waiting list for those.
“That is one of the hardest things is knowing that there are people who use the library on a regular basis and there’s services that we just simply have not been able to offer during that time period or at least to the extent that we have offered in the past. And obviously we’re not alone in that.”
Ciccone explained how even before the pandemic that the library had been discussing going completely fine free but that the pandemic was the catalyst that pushed them to do so. The reason for doing so is that the circulation of physical material is declining so they are not seeing as many fines as they used to, depending on fines is not sustainable, but also that fines create a conflict with patrons.
“We found that most people- or many of the people who were not paying their fines and not using the service because they were above a certain threshold were people in vulnerable communities who could see the best benefits from the services that we offer. And I think a lot of libraries found that.”
Also with COVID, there has been a shift away from the typical bricks and mortar and moving towards more online and at home spaces. When asked if the physical space of the library would no longer exist, Ciccone does not believe it will.
Ciccone explained that the London Public Library is continually adapting and changing due to the pandemic and what they are being told they need to do from the government. For updates and to check out their programs and services go to https://www.londonpubliclibrary.ca/.
