2.7 Potential Implications of COVID-19 on Library Space

Given the rapid pace of change that the COVID-19 global pandemic has brought, planning for an uncertain future is a challenge as people try to find new ways of living, working, playing, and connecting with each other. Clearly, this is unchartered territory and Public Libraries must continually assess and adjust their expectations, practices, and norms.

Library services were heavily impacted by the pandemic and the subsequent public health response. The pandemic has the potential to affect the long-term demand for and delivery of library services, however, the ultimate scope and scale of change is unknown. Long-range planning and strategic investment are believed to be as vital as they have ever been in order to support the significant role that the Public Library plays in the personal, social, and economic recovery/revitalization of the community. Recognizing that the situation is evolving and new information and guidance is emerging on a regular basis, communities must prepare for a wide range of scenarios. The following are some preliminary thoughts about how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the sector in the short to longer-term.

“Hard times bring libraries’ value into sharper focus.”

~ American Library Association, The State of America’s Libraries

The Importance of Libraries During a Pandemic

Personal levels of stress and anxiety are running high during the pandemic and work/life balance is creating challenges for many. Even before the pandemic, libraries provided a place for respite for many Canadians. The Public Library will play a critical role in the mental and physical health recovery of citizens – particularly those living in urban environments – and can be expected to play an equally important role in community economic revival. Brampton Library has always played a strong role in the city and its various communities, and there is every reason to believe that the library will continue to be a pivotal part of the community fabric during and after the pandemic. Access to public spaces and programs is a fundamental service for Canadians, especially children, seniors, and marginalized populations. It is entirely possible that the pandemic will help to create a new and greater appreciation for the benefits of library services, many of which provide respite from the growing social isolation faced by Canadians. To respond to the needs of citizens, investment in public libraries must continue.

Acceleration of Digital Content & Service Plans

Brampton Library is among many systems province-wide to have refocused efforts to improve their ‘Digital Library’ and online collections/resources; while many library systems have been trending in this direction for a number of years, the pandemic has accelerated the rollout of digital content in certain communities. London Public Library, Oakville Public Library and a number of other systems have followed suit of many of their counterparts and are now offering virtual library programming such as online book clubs, livestreaming story times on Facebook Live or InstagramTV, and are targeting programs to specific age groups (e.g. children, teens and older adults).

The pandemic has the potential to increase uptake of digital library services since Canadians have been forced to adopt greater use of technology and online services, beyond those offered by the library, as part of their daily lives. While there has always been a segment of the population that has an advanced technological proficiency, the pandemic may lead to greater comfort in the use of technology amongst the mass market and possibly entice people that have been historically reluctant in their use of technology to incorporate it to a greater degree in their daily lives. Unemployment resulting from the pandemic may also lead to greater use of the library’s internet services and employment resources among prospective job seekers.

Helping to Keep People Connected

Many people rely upon on libraries for social connection. Seniors and newcomers are notable examples of groups that face a higher risk of social isolation due to mobility, language and/or income-related constraints and thus lean on libraries as a place to interact with others, Library closures resulting from pandemic lockdown measures along with general public advice to limit non-essential travel outside of the home have further contributed to the isolation of certain population segments.

Library systems in Toronto, Hamilton, Markham and Windsor have been reaching out to library patrons during the pandemic. In the case of Toronto Public Library, library staff have placed phone calls to thousands of library cardholders, focusing primarily on persons between 70 and 100 years of age that may be prone to isolation or considered vulnerable. The calls are intended to connect with library users, conduct wellness checks, and assist seniors in accessing online library resources that have been moved online due to the pandemic.

Libraries as Part of the Pandemic Recovery

After the 2008 financial crisis, the American Library Association (ALA) found that recession drives more Americans to libraries in search of employment resources. The ALA report stated that “Hard times bring libraries’ value into sharper focus” and that public libraries were a critical part of helping unemployed workers navigate the online job market, learn new skills (including resume building), deliver continuing education programs, and access government services. 11 The closure of elementary, secondary and postsecondary educational institutions may also drive students to a library branch to use computer and internet services, particularly for those that do not have the means to access the technology at home.

With certain parallels between the 2008 economic downturn and the current COVID-19 crisis, it is reasonable to expect that Canada’s Public Libraries will once again be relied upon as a pillar of resiliency. That being said, the same American Library Association report found that funding lagged following the recession as state and city budgets were cut, resulting in reduced library budgets and hindering their ability to operate at full capacity in the months that followed. In Canada, it remains to be seen if pandemicrelated stimulus from senior levels of government will be sufficient to allow libraries and other civic institutions to maintain their current funding allocations, and how funding will compare to the level of need being placed on the Public Library as a result of any economic downturn.

Looking Ahead

Given that the pandemic has been ongoing for slightly more than a year at the time of writing, the longterm projection is less certain and much will depend on the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the release of vaccines, there is cautious optimism that the end may be on the horizon but these treatments have not been tested among the mass global public. Concerns about gatherings may keep some people away from library programs/events and crowded spaces. Some people may take it a step further and spend more time in, or relocate to less populated, suburban or rural areas. Complete communities – such as those envisioned in the Brampton 2040 Vision – that contain a mix of residential, education, employment, recreational, and active transportation opportunities that function as selfsustaining and connected neighbourhoods will be most desirable. This will require a rethinking of how many aspects of public space are designed and managed – maybe even a shift away from large multi-use complexes towards smaller localized facilities – which could take decades to fully realize.

To be successful, library systems must continue to look to research and lessons from across the world and invest time and resources in new technologies and approaches that assist in realizing the many benefits associated with access to library services.