I need to communicate about the COVID-19 crisis
LibraryAware has tools to help you communicate about the impact of COVID-19 on your library. Want to share a resource? Email us!
Are you resuming service at your library to any extent? What templates would be most helpful right now? We'd love to hear from you.
Showcase your digital collection of e-books and e-resources
and encourage your patrons to try some new hobbies. Surrey Libraries created a Stuck
at Home newsletter promoting a variety of nonfiction books: cookbooks,
gardening, and more.
Washington County Cooperative Library Services informs their patrons on how to put items on a wishlist to check out items later.
Check out the series of webinars EBSCO is offering to librarians worldwide to help them support the online needs of their faculty, students and researchers. Follow EBSCO on Twitter for updates on each session. Submit your questions using #OnlinewithEBSCO.
Recording and resources now available:
Get the latest information and resources for your communications in our special editions of NoveList News and LibraryAware News:
- LibraryAware News: Special Edition--Help is here!
- NoveList News + LibraryAware News - Special Edition: In-Person to Online
- NoveList News + LibraryAware News - Special Edition: Skills Training at Home
- NoveList News + LibraryAware News - Special Edition: Promoting Your Online Resources
- NoveList News + LibraryAware News - Special Edition: Collection Development and Weeding
- NoveList News + LibraryAware News - Special Edition: What Libraries are Doing Worldwide
Watch for new COVID-19 templates in several formats. Search “covid” or “coronavirus” to find these and many more:
- Read our series of blog posts on communicating during the COVID-19 crisis and tips for reaching readers even when your library is closed.
- NoveList user? We've got recommended reads for your patrons, from "calm and cozy" to "troubled times."
- We continue to add relevant images in the image selector menu. Search "covid" or "coronavirus."
- Share these quick videos with your patrons on how to support and transition to remote work. These videos are normally exclusive to Accel5 subscribers but are now available for free during this time of crisis.
- Link to these resources to support distance learning for high school students, as well as resources for at-home enrichment activities for younger students.
- Consider adding a link to this information for patrons who are researchers and healthcare professionals.
- Learn about email best practices on the NoveList website.
- Use your NextReads newsletters or your custom newsletters to promote your online resources and programs!
Washington County Cooperative Library Services has a catalog feature that allows patrons to create a "for later shelf" where they can keep track of items to borrow in the future. They are using NextReads newsletters to remind readers who want a printed book that this feature is available.
Check out the LGBTQ2+ newsletter from Surrey Libraries that highlights books that are available as e-books and digital audiobooks.
Want to link to ebooks and digital audiobooks in your newsletters, so your patrons know they are available? We'll help you get started.
Resources from around the world
Libraries around the world are responding to the crisis. No matter where your library is located, you'll find some great ideas to try. Here are some places to start:
The United States:
TumbleBooks announced it will make its online libraries available for free to all schools and libraries until at least August 31. Its flagship product, TumbleBooklibrary is a collection of animated talking picture books, read-alongs, books, quizzes, lesson plans, and educational games which is used by thousands of schools and public libraries in over 100 countries across the world. Schools and libraries across North America are invited to email info@tumblebooks.com with the subject line "Free TumbleBooks" in order to receive free links to all five of its databases, so they can be shared and accessed by their patrons from the comfort and safety of their homes.
Pandemic Preparedness Resources from the American Library Association
School Library Journal has an updated page with the list of publishers who have temporarily altered policies to allow libraries and teachers to hold online storytimes without risking license infringement.
Penguin Random House has created a temporary open license for online story time and read-aloud videos
Facebook group Libraries Step Up (in times of crisis) is compiling a list of authors who are also allowing libraries to read their works in online storytimes
Indigenous educators volunteer to teach short K-8 lessons online amid school closures (CBC article)
CBC/Radio-Canada is offering a compilation of Canadian authors and illustrators sharing readings of their books online
Canada Reads will now be provided on CBC Radio in a series of one-hour programs
Making the Most of Time On Our Hands - Southern Ontario Library Service (SOLS) blog post
Australia:
The Australian Library and Information Association is maintaining a list of ways Australian libraries are responding to COVID-19
New Zealand:
The Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa has gathered resources for libraries and their communities
Get inspired by innovative approaches to communicating about the crisis by NZ libraries.