Regional libraries in the Yarra, in Victoria, have been ringing every member over the age of 70 – all 8,000 of them!
According to the staff, the library is a hub for the community and with the closure due to lockdown, it separated many people, especially the elderly.
They rang to say hi, ask if they needed anything…and not just books. If they needed services, counselling, tech help the staff referred them to a service that would be able to help them.
But most of all, people just wanted a chat, with calls lasting between 5 and 30 minutes or more.
Other libraries around the country have done other wonderful things. One sent out books with the Meals on Wheels service. Another delivered guitars to households. One library hired a social worker to help identify patrons who may have been using the library because of homelessness or domestic abuse.
I think this is as much a reflection of the community spirit that reading generates as anything.
Have your libraries been doing anything like this?
September 24, 2020 at 12:50 am
That’s impressive. I worried about my writer’s group when we could no longer meet in person. Most of them are in their 70’s. I love your libraries.
September 24, 2020 at 1:42 pm
I thought it was pretty wonderful too, Jacqui.
September 24, 2020 at 1:35 am
That’s lovely. Ours have been doing curbside pick up, but that’s all I’ve heard of. They’re probably doing other things that I’m not aware of.
September 24, 2020 at 1:44 pm
I’m sure they have been, Liz. There’s probably a lot of wonderful things being done we aren’t hearing about.
September 24, 2020 at 11:52 am
That is amazing!
September 24, 2020 at 1:44 pm
I think is is a wonderful thing!
September 24, 2020 at 2:05 pm
Our library is doing a lot remotely to keep kids engaged. Not much for seniors, I don’t think. But the buildings are open for quick browsing, which is progress!
September 25, 2020 at 11:34 am
Definitely progress. We’re the same here – quick browsing only.