This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-52368191

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Coronavirus: Libraries see surge in e-book borrowing during lockdown Coronavirus: Libraries see surge in e-book borrowing during lockdown
(about 7 hours later)
Libraries across England have reported a surge in online borrowing during the coronavirus lockdown as the nation seeks escapism and comfort in e-books.Libraries across England have reported a surge in online borrowing during the coronavirus lockdown as the nation seeks escapism and comfort in e-books.
Loans of online e-books, e-magazines and audiobooks were up an average of 63% in March compared with last year.Loans of online e-books, e-magazines and audiobooks were up an average of 63% in March compared with last year.
And 120,000 people joined libraries in the weeks after lockdown began, Libraries Connected said. And 120,000 people joined libraries in the three weeks after lockdown began, Libraries Connected said.
Experts said they hoped the surge in popularity will change how people used libraries when restrictions are lifted.Experts said they hoped the surge in popularity will change how people used libraries when restrictions are lifted.
Nick Poole, from the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), said this could "turn out to be a watershed moment for libraries".Nick Poole, from the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), said this could "turn out to be a watershed moment for libraries".
"Not only are we attracting an entirely new audience, we're able to demonstrate that the library is every bit as accessible online as it is in person," he said."Not only are we attracting an entirely new audience, we're able to demonstrate that the library is every bit as accessible online as it is in person," he said.
"You don't have to walk through the doors to be a library fan.""You don't have to walk through the doors to be a library fan."
Weekly digital loans from libraries across England doubled in the three weeks after they were closed on 23 March, said Isobel Hunter at Libraries Connected.Weekly digital loans from libraries across England doubled in the three weeks after they were closed on 23 March, said Isobel Hunter at Libraries Connected.
"By the second week of April, around three times as many e-books, e-magazines and audiobooks have been borrowed as usual and this trend does not seem to be slowing," she said."By the second week of April, around three times as many e-books, e-magazines and audiobooks have been borrowed as usual and this trend does not seem to be slowing," she said.
More than 120,000 people joined local libraries across England after 23 March to use libraries' digital services, which is up more than 600% on last year, she said.More than 120,000 people joined local libraries across England after 23 March to use libraries' digital services, which is up more than 600% on last year, she said.
Lincolnshire was one of the places that saw a big increase in library users in March compared with the same month last year.Lincolnshire was one of the places that saw a big increase in library users in March compared with the same month last year.
Nicola Rogers, partnership manager at Lincolnshire Libraries, said: "We saw over an 80% increase in people borrowing things like our e-books and our e-magazines.Nicola Rogers, partnership manager at Lincolnshire Libraries, said: "We saw over an 80% increase in people borrowing things like our e-books and our e-magazines.
"We've also seen a dramatic increase in the number of people joining the library service online. That's gone up by nearly 600% as well.""We've also seen a dramatic increase in the number of people joining the library service online. That's gone up by nearly 600% as well."
Mr Poole from CILIP said libraries had been "incredibly creative in adapting their offer to our new reality".Mr Poole from CILIP said libraries had been "incredibly creative in adapting their offer to our new reality".
Lincolnshire Libraries' Facebook page is home to new activities such as a Lego club that sees staff post a theme and families build and share their creations.Lincolnshire Libraries' Facebook page is home to new activities such as a Lego club that sees staff post a theme and families build and share their creations.
The mobile libraries team, which would usually visit rural locations and housebound people, has been phoning customers to help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.The mobile libraries team, which would usually visit rural locations and housebound people, has been phoning customers to help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Leicestershire County Council said the number of people borrowing e-books had gone up 35% and audiobooks 20% in the past two months.Leicestershire County Council said the number of people borrowing e-books had gone up 35% and audiobooks 20% in the past two months.
The authority would buy additional material to keep up with demand, it told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).The authority would buy additional material to keep up with demand, it told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
Since the lockdown started on 23 March Leicestershire libraries' most popular e-book was The Holiday by TM Logan.Since the lockdown started on 23 March Leicestershire libraries' most popular e-book was The Holiday by TM Logan.
Derbyshire County Council was one of many authorities to waive all fines for books taken out by residents before its libraries were closed.Derbyshire County Council was one of many authorities to waive all fines for books taken out by residents before its libraries were closed.
Greenwich Libraries tweeted a video of its bilingual Japanese and English baby rhyme time.Greenwich Libraries tweeted a video of its bilingual Japanese and English baby rhyme time.
Hampshire's library service said there were 200 new users to its Borrowbox account, offering downloads of audio and e-books, in the week after lockdown compared to 23 the previous week.Hampshire's library service said there were 200 new users to its Borrowbox account, offering downloads of audio and e-books, in the week after lockdown compared to 23 the previous week.
A decision on whether to close 10 of Hampshire's libraries has been put on hold because of the coronavirus outbreak.A decision on whether to close 10 of Hampshire's libraries has been put on hold because of the coronavirus outbreak.
In Cambridgeshire, library members have been given free access to Ancestry and Find My Past during lockdown, the LDRS said..In Cambridgeshire, library members have been given free access to Ancestry and Find My Past during lockdown, the LDRS said..
Independent libraries have been adapting to life in lockdown too. The website of Portico Library in Manchester features a new exhibition and family activities including online jigsaws.Independent libraries have been adapting to life in lockdown too. The website of Portico Library in Manchester features a new exhibition and family activities including online jigsaws.
Librarian Thom Keep said: "Despite being a challenging process, we have enjoyed extending our digital platform."Librarian Thom Keep said: "Despite being a challenging process, we have enjoyed extending our digital platform."
The Devon and Exeter Institution has launched the Isolation Creations service on its website featuring virtual tours, read-a-longs and a film club.The Devon and Exeter Institution has launched the Isolation Creations service on its website featuring virtual tours, read-a-longs and a film club.
CILIP has launched The National Shelf Service, a daily YouTube broadcast of librarians' e-book recommendations for children, young people and families.CILIP has launched The National Shelf Service, a daily YouTube broadcast of librarians' e-book recommendations for children, young people and families.
Poet and author Joseph Coelho will give a live bedtime story reading from 19:00 BST for World Book Day on Thursday.Poet and author Joseph Coelho will give a live bedtime story reading from 19:00 BST for World Book Day on Thursday.
Mr Coelho said: "In all uncertain time books provide not only an escape but also a means to find hope, companionship and comfort.Mr Coelho said: "In all uncertain time books provide not only an escape but also a means to find hope, companionship and comfort.
"As always libraries are essential in providing much needed access. The National Shelf Service is a wonderful reminder that during the current difficulties books can still be borrowed from your local library digitally and with them access to a universe of comfort, companionship and hope.""As always libraries are essential in providing much needed access. The National Shelf Service is a wonderful reminder that during the current difficulties books can still be borrowed from your local library digitally and with them access to a universe of comfort, companionship and hope."