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https://library.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/homepage

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https://www.cilip.org.uk/news/493378/CILIP-Coronavirus-Information-Service.htm

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https://library.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/az.php

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BSI Guidesline for safeworking conditions

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BSI Guidesline for safeworking conditions

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The British Standards Insitute has issuedstandard for safe working conditions and these can be found here
https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/topics/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-guidelines/?utm_source=pardot&utm_medium=email&utm_content=version-2&utm_campaign=SM-STAN-PRM-COVID19%2FGuidelines-2005

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This has been produced by architects in consultation with CILIP.
I have saved the document to the G Drive
G:\LIBRARY\Covid-19 Safer Libraries.pdf

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The library should set up an area of the building as a materials isolation zone for those items that may have recently been exposed to the COVID-19 virus:
● This area could be a cleared range of shelving, a series of multiple book carts, or even piles of books on a table.
● Materials should be labelled with dates of when those items entered quarantine and when they are safe to re-shelve.
● Colour-coding or grouping by material type may be useful here.
● Courier carts and bins should also be quarantined.
● Consider amassing or purchasing additional book carts.
(AR)

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Last update: 13 October 2020

Key Resources for Libraries in responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic

The information and resources below are provided on a non-exhaustive basis but will be updated regularly. It is based on publicly available information, and that submitted to updates@ifla.org. We welcome additional ideas, references, suggestions and corrections to this address. Please see also our FAQs specifically concerning IFLA.

Do note also the upcoming special issue of the IFLA Journal focused on innovations in libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, please see the call for submissions.

Understanding COVID-19 and its spread

Resources about the disease

Coronavirus refers to a family of viruses. COVID-19 - or Coronavirus Disease - is the infectious disease caused by a newly discovered type of coronavirus.

As the World Health Organization (WHO) has set out, most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

Common symptoms include fever, tiredness and a dry cough. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, aches and pains, sore throat, and very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Resources about latest cases

National authorities around the world are working to gather information about numbers of tests, infections and consequences. You should turn first to your national authorities for this information, as they should have the most recent data.

At the global level, the WHO is releasing daily updates on the situation. This information is used to build the WHO's dashboard on cases.

The Centre for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University is also maintaining a global map live, including figures on numbers of recovered patients. This is being used regularly in media reporting.

Library closures around the world

Libraries around the world are facing hard choices around which services to offer and how, ranging from minimal restrictions to full closure. We are aware that governments themselves are taking different approaches, sometimes ordering the closure of all institutions, others indicating that life should continue as usual, and others simply leaving decisions up to library directors.

Clearly any decision to restrict services or close a library is a difficult one and needs to be taken following an assessment of the relative risks.

We are currently aware of entire public library systems being closed in the following countries and territories: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates.

In the meanwhile, libraries in the Aland Islands, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bhutan, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Hong Kong (China), Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, Jersey, Latvia, Kenya, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao (China), Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Moldovia, Morocco, Namibia, the Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Réunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, St Lucia, St Martin, Svalbard, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom and Viet Nam are beginning to re-open with precautions in place to protect health. Sweden, meanwhile, saw over 90% of municipalities keep libraries open, and 85% of municipalities even offer extended services. Libraries in the United States Virgin Islands re-opened in late July, but then were forced to close again in August. Libraries in the Czech Republic have, in the face of rising case-numbers, moved to cancel events again until the end of October.

Meanwhile, school libraries in 34 countries will have been affected by the closure of all educational institutions, while in others, at least some schools have been closed, according to figures from UNESCO. In many of these, university libraries are also closed.

National libraries too have closed to the public in Albania, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Malawi, the Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Ukraine (Vernadsky), the United States of America, and Uruguay.

National libraries in Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Canada, the Cayman Islands, China, the Cook Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, the Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, the Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine (Yaroslav the Wise), the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam have now re-opened on a limited basis. Some have re-opened and subsequently closed, in response to wider developments, such as was the case with Albania.

We welcome updates to this information at updates@ifla.org.

Managing different approaches to restrictions

Libraries in different parts of the world are facing very different situations, from broadly maintaining a full service to complete closure.

Drawing on experience around the world, libraries and librarians are finding themselves in one of a number of situations:

Business (more or less) as usual: in some countries, cases of the virus have been limited and governments have not taken any specific measures. Nonetheless, normal recommendations around good hygiene apply. In this situation, libraries are, for example:

Ensuring access to soap and warm water

Ensuring they have a supply of hand sanitiser

Keeping surfaces clean, including toys and library computers

Ensuring that staff and users are encouraged to take time to recover if they are feeling ill, rather than coming in to work

Providing pages with useful links to reliable information for users on their websites and promoting media literacy faced with potential misinformation online.

Some restrictions: there are more cases, and governments are beginning to act in order to limit larger events, as well as actively encouraging people to take extra measures to protect hygiene. In this situation, libraries are, for example:

Reconsidering programming such as storytimes or workshops, especially for groups at risk such as older users. Additional efforts to ensure hygiene, including through disinfecting hard surfaces. Removing riskier items such as toys or virtual reality headsets from circulation.

Considering whether to close study spaces where people may spend a longer time in the company of others.

Preparing for potential further restrictions, for example by ensuring that all staff have the skills and tools to work remotely (if this is possible) and that services, as far as possible, can still be provided digitally.

Minimal service: in many countries there are stricter measures still, with tougher limits on public gatherings, specific warnings for people at risk, and closures in the most affected regions. In these situations, libraries are, for example:

Fully closing spaces and only offering the possibility to borrow or return books at a counter, or via a book drop. Some countries are experimenting with drive-through pick-up and return of books. Others are only allowing visitors who have pre-booked.

Implementing quarantine policies on returned books (see below for further details).

Implementing plans to offer remote services for example eLending, eLearning, or support to remote teaching

Finalising and testing measures for all staff to work remotely and allowing those who can to do so already.

Full closure: where measures are strictest, libraries have either been forced to close, or have chosen to do so following consideration of the risks to users and staff. In these situations, libraries are, for example:

Ensuring that all staff working from home unless completely necessary. Where staff are coming into work, ensuring that they can do so while respecting rules around social distancing

Librarians are being reassigned to other duties in other departments within their municipalities, for example using information management skills to support health and social services

Providing ongoing communication with users about opportunities to use library resources or services

Organising digital story-times where copyright permits

Promoting use of digital libraries and other tools - including potentially investing in more content/licences

Offering an amnesty on borrowed physical books, and increasing the number of eBooks users can borrow

Making library spaces and equipment available for other activities, such as printing personal protective equipment.

Raising awareness of digital offers, both on the front pages of their websites, and through putting up posters in the windows of library buildings.

Preparing for re-opening: in a number of countries, there are already steps towards lifting restrictions, at least partially, with libraries potentially part of this. Timings remains uncertain, and clearly safety should be a priority. In this situation, libraries are:

Starting to make plans for gradual reopening when rules, permissions and library buildings and resources themselves permit this to happen safely, and making necessary changes to library policies. Carrying out a risk assessment, focused both on library activities and the wider situation, can be a key part of this.

Setting limits on numbers of people using the library at any one time, and establishing how to enforce these (for example through advanced booking, ticketing, or using other means of counting numbers of users), as well as preventing situations where people may gather closely together, for example using one-way systems, limiting furniture, keeping reading rooms closed, or continuing to postpone programming, and keeping toilets closed

Implementing regular cleaning processes (including through short closures of the library), especially focused on surfaces where the virus appears to be able to last for longest (plastics, metals other than copper), or at least intensifying clearning

Developing click-and-collect or drive-through services in order to allow access to books without human contact

Developing protocols for how to respond if someone with symptoms is identified in the library

Ensuring that staff have the equipment and training necessary to stay safe, including consideration of screens if necessary, limiting contact as far as possible and enabling work from home for as long as possible, and provide regular updates

Making clear when it is impossible to open safely, and otherwise ensuring that those taking decisions understand the nature of library spaces, including through a gradual approach to resuming services only when each one is safe

Continuing to promote online services and resources in order to limit numbers looking to visit the library

Communicate clearly about all any new rules to library users, both online and onsite, and provide regular updates

Ensuring that plans are in place for a potential return to lock-down in case of new peaks in infection rates

Please see the section on re-opening libraries below for more information on this topic.

Staying safe at home and at work

In the light of the above, the WHO recommends in general that people should practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow, or a tissue that they immediately throw away). People should also wash their hands or use an alcohol-based rub frequently, and not touch their faces, as well as maintaining distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Known COVID-19 hotspots should be avoided, especially if you, or those you live with, are older or otherwise vulnerable (for example, you or they have diabetes, heart or lung disease).

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should self-isolate and contact their medical provider or a COVID-19 information line for advice on testing and referral. People with fever, cough or difficulty breathing should call their doctor and seek medical attention.

There are many more resources available on the WHO website. Furthermore, in precedence to the information given below, we encourage libraries to seek advice from your national public health agency, and of course to follow the guidance that already exists. Where libraries form part of wider institutions - such as universities or schools - it is desirable that they are involved in planning and management of crisis response, as has for example been the case at the Duque do Caixas campus of the Federal Library of Rio de Janeiro.

Handling materials

A key question for many in the library field has been around the risk of infection through contact with materials carrying coronavirus. Clearly our understanding of any aspect of how the virus is spread is still at a relatively early stage, and so it is not possible to offer definitive advice, other than the universal recommendations on keeping hands clean and not touching faces.

There is nonetheless emerging research (in the New England Journal of Medicine, and the Journal of Hospital Infection) into the survival of the virus, both in the air and on different types of surface. It appears that it survives for longer on plastics and steel, and for less long on cardboard or copper, although these tests took place in laboratory conditions and infection risk does fall over time.

Outside of the library field - for example in postal services - ordinary precautions appear to apply when handling paper or cardboard. What does seem more likely is that other surfaces - such as door handles, keyboards, mice, CDs and DVDs, toys or VR headsets - could carry the virus, and so should be regularly cleaned or removed from circulation.

Nonetheless, where there is a chance that a book or other piece of equipment has been in close contact with someone ill, it may be appropriate to wait or use safe cleaning practices. The general recommendation remains to take care - a point also echoed by the French government.

In order to provide as best as possible a response to the uncertainty that still exists, the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the United States has set up REALM (Re-opening Archives, Libraries and Museums), a partnership with OCLC and the Battelle Institute to explore further how to ensure safe handling, to which IFLA is contributing. This will look to assess the risks around particular materials and services, with a view to helping libraries make choices as they decide how to re-open and resume services.

The project has now published a first key output - a review of the available literature. This looks across research papers, both those which have and have not been subject to peer review yet, and coming from a variety of fields. It looks at evidence on transmission through the air and through proximity to those with the virus, on the virus' survival on different surfaces, and at the effectiveness of different approaches to cleaning. While this material will be helpful for those developing strategies, the authors are clear that research is still at an early stage, and evidence is coming from a wide range of different contexts.

The REALM project has also published the listen in to the webinar that took place on plan for testing the survival of the virus on different materials and surfaces, as well as a systematic review of the available literature. The first results from laboratory tests have also been released, underlining that after three days of quarantine, virus could not be detected on previously contaminated hardback and softback books, or on papers inside books, plastic covers and DVD covers. The second set of results focus on a new range set of materials is already being tested, including braille, glossy and magazine pages, children's board books and archival folders, and a third looking at plastics used for audiobooks, video or music, talking book or USB cassettes, acrylic display cases or partitions, plastic storage bags and plastic storage boxes. The materials to be tested in a fourth round - this time stacked together - has also been announced, and will cover DVD and CD cases, hardcover books, softcover books, plastic-coated books, and expanded polyethylene foam. This has found that the virus does indeed last longer in these situations. A fifth round of testing will focus on museums more commonly found in museums, although will also include leather book bindings. You can sign up for updates from the project via its newsletter, and 8 October..

Meanwhile, Libraries Ireland initially produced guidelines suggesting a 72h wait, at least in the case of materials which have been returned or handled since the start of lock-down, and proposed procedures for deliveries. The Australian Library and Information Association - based on government advice - has suggested that 24 hours is enough, an approach also adopted by the Library at the Duque do Caixas campus of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and libraries in Egypt, who are using sunlight to facilitate disinfection. The Czech government has suggested 48 hours should be enough, while Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and the All-Russian Library of Foreign Literature are opting for 72h, Slovakia for five days, Argentina for two weeks, and France and the Kaslik Holy Spirit University in Lebanon for 10 days in the case of plastic-coated materials (72h for paper). Some, such as the Italian Ministry of Culture, Andalusian Library Association, the libraries of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the Slovenian public health agency are suggesting longer still, although in the case of the Italian guidance, this has been questioned by the Italian Library Association. Similarly, the effects of quarantine on the possibility for students to access textbooks is becoming a concern in some US universities. A number of countries also note that spaces for consulting works should be easily cleaned.

Some of this guidance is now being relaxed, on the basis both of emerging evidence and in the light of reduced rates of prevalence of the virus. For example, quarantining is no longer mandatory in Flanders, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia, while in France, times have been reduced.

For materials with plastic covers, such as DVDs, cleaning with alcohol wipes has been suggested by the Australian Library and Information Association and others, allowing these to go back into circulation immediately. There are differing approaches to the merits of cleaning books, with the Austrian guidance suggesting that heat treatment will work, while others suggest that there may be risk to materials, and so quarantine is safer.

Meanwhile, the libraries of National Autonomous University of Mexico underline that books should not be kept in plastic bags. They have also set out a detailed protocol on how to manage returned or other incoming books to the library through a system of colour-coded zones associated with different activities.

Where users are working with course materials, the Dutch libraries authorities have recommended reducing risk and logistical issues by encouraging users to take these home (and to come with their own paper and pens), rather than leaving them at the library.

The Dutch library authorities has suggested, where this is possible, that mice and keyboards should be detached after use and returned to a central point in order to facilitate this process. Others, such as in Helsingborg, Sweden and Topeka, Kansas, plan to ensure presence of library staff to disinfect computers after use. The Danish guidance continues to warn against allowing public use of computers, given potential complexities in cleaning.

When handling newly returned materials, the Australian Library and Information Association (see link in the re-opening libraries section) recommends using gloves when handling newly returned books, and then throwing the gloves away immediately afterwards. Others have suggested though that gloves can also damage materials in some cases, and that regular hand-washing may also work. The French government guidance, for example, does not suggest gloves, but rather cotton overalls which can then be taken off and washed. The Croatian National and University Library (see links below) notes that legal deposit copies should also be treated with care, with the packaging in which they arrived removed carefully and thrown away in special bins.

Once gathered, clearly, the need to store books may cause logistical problems, especially for smaller institutions. French guidance suggests that if a dedicated room cannot be found, specific parts of the library should be used (and kept inaccessible from the public), or even external storage used. Furthermore, they suggest, there should be efforts to limit the number of staff working with such materials, and to provide them with adequate protective equipment. Noting the potential logistical issues that this may entail, some American guidance has noted the potential to use portable storage solutions.

Meanwhile, waste that may be contaminated may be usefully kept separate for a number of days, as the Estonian guidance suggests, in order to limit risks to others.

The Slovenian Public Health Institute (see translation in our section on re-opening libraries below) has also suggested that readers receiving works at home should also look to respect quarantining, waiting a number of days before opening packages, and then, if materials are not made of paper or card, either cleaning them or waiting further. The Czech guidance (see below) also suggests that readers should be made aware of risk, with those wanting to able to leave a book for a few days before using it. In this case, the guidance suggests that borrowing periods can be extended.

Meanwhile, for staff, basic hygiene measures, such as washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, avoiding touching the face, with a number of countries also recommending masks and gloves, at least where these do not harm materials.

Social Distancing and Delivery Services

Given that close physical contact appears to be the primary means of catching the virus, a core response has been 'social distancing' - keeping a safe distance between individuals in order to reduce the risks of the virus passing from one person to another. Coughing, sneezing, and even talking tends to mean that potentially contagious droplets are emitted into the air.

The recommended distance varies from country to country but appears not to be below 1m (3-4ft), and is often more. This may not always be possible. In the United States for example, we have seen libraries proactively ask authorities for closures where they feel that the risk to users and staff is too high.

See our section on reopening libraries below for more on the topic of enforcing social distancing within libraries.

For those libraries which are not yet open, many have maintained a focus on how to provide book deliveries to vulnerable groups and others, while taking full account of the need to safeguard health. We are likely to see such measures continue to be important as libraries re-open. Indeed, in Wuhan, China, library workers prepared library corners for patients. In the case of vulnerable users, as the Czech guidance underlines, utmost care needs to be taken to minimise risk.

For example, Radford College School library in Australia has a click-and-collect service for books, while Lane Cove (also in Australia), Godoy Cruz library in Argentina, The Hague in the Netherlands, and various Portuguese public libraries are doing deliveries, and on Svalbard, the library is working with taxi companies to give access to books, as is Veria Central Public Library in Greece. Around half of Swedish municipalities offer some sort of delivery or pick-up service, and in Denmark, Roskilde library has been proactively contacting previous recipients of home deliveries both to check in, and ask if they want to make reservations, now that this is possible again. The Central Library of Osaka Prefecture in Japan offers deliveries by post. Meanwhile, the State government of Western Australia has provided guidance on safe home deliveries. In Ethiopia, according to one news story, libraries are being placed on camels to ensure children in lock-down receive access. See also resources from library associations below for more.

​

Providing services remotely

Libraries around the world of all sorts have been working hard to provide access to collections and services remotely, often investing time and effort in updating websites and computer systems in order to deal with demand. While many libraries already had a strong digital presence, many others have now moved to create one in order to continue serving members, such as the library at Al Iraqi University in Iraq. As highlighted in a survey by the Conference of Directors of National Libraries, ¾ of national libraries, for example, introduced new digital servicesservices, while a survey of public libraries in England found the same proportion of them had offered online services.

To take another example, the State Library of New South Wales surveyed public libraries in the state about their online activities during lockdown, finding for example that following physical closures, the share of libraries offering online programming jumped from 12% of respondents to 86%. Meanwhile, La Vanguardia in Spain produced a list of 40 ideas for libraries to continue to provide support remotely.

All types of library have promoted their digital services - for example, the Bibliothèque nationale de France is organising virtual exhibitions and other learning tools (especially over the summer months), and the National Library of Spain is promoting its digital content that can be used to support education, the US Library of Congress's Folklife Centre is running weekly concerts online, the National Library of Morocco is providing free eBooks, and the Public Library in Aarhus, Denmark, has put its digital content at the front of its website, while the Granby library in Quebec, Canada is highlighting content focused on learning new skills. The National Library and Information Service of Trinidad and Tobago's Heritage Library Division has even used the circumstances of the pandemic to accelerate its shift to providing a digital offer. American libraries too have sought to bring literacy programming online.

Kibera and Nakuru public libraries in Kenya - partners of EIFL's Public Library Innovation Programme - are promoting local language content around COVID-19 through social networks, as well as sharing book recommendations, while the Ghana Library Authority (another EIFL-PLIP partner) is also promoting access to its digital content alongside key health information. Kota public library in India too has increased its online services, promoting bibliotherapy as a means of helping users through the crisis, and receiving useful coverage in the local press.

School libraries in the United States are also working hard to provide materials in a format that allows parents to support their children's education at home. The Portuguese Network of School Libraries has produced a guide and a platform for school libraries, highlighting ways in which they can continue to fulfil their missions and suggesting tools and materials, even during the period of lockdown. In Uruguay too, school libraries have launched an online platform to continue to support reading among adolescents, while in Brazil, the library at the Marista Social School Santa Monica is working closely with teachers and through Microsoft Teams to engage with pupils to support learning, despite collections being unavailable.Those in Lakewood, Ohio, United States have even created a virtual library in order to bring back the feeling of coming in to check out a book. READ Bhutan has developed materials to support parents and children, working closely with schools and even broadcasting content. They have also been working to create alternative learning spaces if schools cannot re-open as planned. Across the United States, school libraries are having to adapt practices, with some allowing access, others making deliveries following online browsing, and some welcoming students in, but with a focus on digital skills in case lockdown measures are reintroduced.

Meanwhile in Iraq, the Al-Abbas Holy Shrine library is providing a remote lending service for researchers giving access to electronic resources. Meanwhile, health libraries are seeing major interest in the information they can make available, as is the case for the library of the Health Agency in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Redwood City in the U.S. and Monash in Australia are providing storytimes for speakers of minority languages also, for example, while a librarian from the National Library of Pozega in Serbia is doing online storytimes that have hit the national news, while the Central Library of Osaka Prefecture, Japan is working with the institute for children's literature based in the same building (which itself works with publishers) to do the same. Similar efforts in Greece have also allowed libraries to stay in touch with their users, and even to run art projects. The Library of the National Autonomous Library of Mexico has organised a virtual party of readings for World Children's Day ( here and here), while American libraries, including the Library of Congress, have brought literature festivals online.

Clearly not all users are already familiar with digital tools. Libraries in Huesca, Spain, have responded by developing new training materials for users to help them make the most of these possibilities. Similarly, the Central Library at the University of Baghdad has launched training to help students make best use of digital tools available to them, while libraries in London, UK, have offered virtual IT training, in order to help people use sites and services other than Zoom.

Traditional efforts by libraries to produce collections of books and materials on topical issues have continued, with a strong focus on dealing with stress and worry, and promoting positive mental health, not least the National Library of Medicine in the United States. In Helsingborg, Sweden, the library has even brought in public health experts to offer talks for users, while the Chinese library field has placed a strong focus on spreading wellbeing and helping people respond to pressures, not least in Hubei Province.

Others are putting existing activities online and inventing new ones. The Library of Congress for example is organising a virtual transcribathon in order to engage people at distance, while the National Library of Norway us encouraging users to access its podcasts while in-person events are not possible. The Dutch National Library has teamed up with a writers' organisation to provide an 'author on your screen' service, while librarians in the United States have been able to use GoogleForms to create themed virtual escape rooms, many of which have been taken up and used by teachers to support education. A range of library crowd-sourcing initiatives is available via Library Journal.

Some public libraries have also worked to develop new possibilities to be in contact with librarians remotely. Danish libraries have set up an online Ask-a-Librarian reference service - and Aarhus has a service just for children. In Sweden, Helsingborg libraries have established a chat function on their website for the first time, as have many libraries in Malaysia. Johannesburg public libraries in South Africa are running video competitions to encourage young users to share digital skills with parents and grandparents, as well as to develop their own digital literacy abilities, and sharing the results on their Facebook page.

Similarly in academic libraries, there are efforts to provide remote access, for example through an online article request service at the East West University in Bangladesh, digital contacts at the Agricultural University Library of Colombia and the Veracruz University in Mexico, or through call-in hours at Rhodes University, South Africa. The library of the University of Malaya is developing tools to facilitate online discovery and evidence retrieval about the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing a poster to explain its work, and has set up a COVID-19 Evidence Retrieval Service to support doctors around the country answer questions. Meanwhile Abgu Papazian University library in Armenia has set up opportunities to contact librarians remotely, as has the Central Library of the Al Ameed University in Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Nahrain University Library in Iraq has expanded subscriptions to the national virtual library to ensure students can access this, alongside published theses, as has the Central Library of Wasit University and the El Alamein University library, Iraq, alongside making other titles available. Diyala University and Imam Al-Kadhum College Central Library, Iraq, like others, are making use of email to provide access to resources and respond to questions from students as well as through a messaging service. Rabindra Sadhan Girls' College, Assam, India, is doing the same, but through WhatsApp groups, given that these can work better on phones. Finally, Al-rawdha-Al-haydari Library in Iraq has been making more use of its website in order to promote electronic resources, as has Diyala University, Iraq, building new interfaces for access to materials.

In many countries, libraries' offer of free WiFi to users is a key part of their offer. In the United States, there has been a call on libraries to leave networks on so that users can access the internet from their cars if needs be. In Topeka County, in the US, bookmobiles equipped with WiFi routers are visiting communities with low connectivity. Elsewhere, tools such as TV White Space - a technology that uses parts of the radio-spectrum not used by other services to provide WiFi at distance - are operating through libraries to connect the unconnected. This can make a major difference for those who need the internet, for example, to learn. Others are offering access to Zoom subscriptions in order to help library users stay in touch with friends. In doing this, some libraries have had to deal with concerns around public access to subsidised WiFi (although the American Library Association has successfully lobbied for such restrictions to be lifted for now), or around public health concerns with people gathering in car parks.

The role of libraries as guardians of the historical record is as strong as ever. A post from Ithaka S+R highlights various initiatives to collect and preserve materials about the pandemic, while the International Internet Preservation Consortium is looking to coordinate efforts. Meanwhile, Columbia University has launched an archiving programme, as has the National Library of Spain, while Kingport Library in Tennessee, and Springfield County Libraries in Illinois, in the United States and the State Library of Victoria in Australia have asked members of the community to share their COVID-19 stories, and libraries in Huesca, Spain, for example, are encouraging children to write stories about their experiences, which at the same time helps them cope with the pressure they are feeling. The Association of Librarians and Archivists of Cameroon is working with the Bamenda University and the Ministry of Culture to coordinate archiving efforts in the country in order to preserve the lessons of the present.

Finally, the work of libraries to support research of course continues, with the Information Science department at the University of Kuwait for example helping to lead research into the way in which information spreads on social media concerning COVID-19.

With so many services on offer, libraries in a number of countries have been able to work with newspapers, radio stations and other communications channels in order to raise awareness.

Some activities and services may be impossible, for example with staff unable to come to work to carry out preservation activities. In response, the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material has prepared a guide, as has the French Association of Heritage Libraries.

Available resources

Clearly the possibility to use resources online depends a lot on the terms under which they are accessed. Fortunately, a lot of publishers and vendors have taken helpful initiatives. In the academic field, many have provided open access to materials related to COVID-19. Others have facilitated access by making it easier to log-in and access materials from outside of official networks.

Sometimes, libraries themselves have been able to provide much wider access, as has been the case with the National Library and Archives of Iran, which not only put the national children's library of 28 000 titles online for free, but also to open up its own Digital Library, which previously had only offered bibliographic data. They have seen a sevenfold increase in registered users, and more than doubled time for online consultations with researchers. The National Library of Albania also has focused strongly on building its offer of online materials, while the Central Library of Al Qadisiyah library in Iraq has made a range of materials in Arabic and English available online for free for the benefit of students.

With the first round of steps taken by publishers now lapsing, the need for longer-term solutions is pressing. As set out by Research Libraries UK, price freezes may not be enough at a time of falling budgets, and there are questions around the operation of markets for eBooks and eTextbooks.

Finally, and faced with the need to invest in new content and services in order to support users, the American Library Association has successfully argued for libraries to be included in the economic stimulus package announced by the government there. In addition, some library funders such as IMLS in the United States are offering grantees extra flexibility where it has been impossible to continue with previous projects because of COVID-19. In Barcelona, Quebec and Milan, Italy, we have seen library acquisition budgets increased as a means both of supporting local bookshops and building library collections.

Managing remote working

With libraries and library associations closing offices - where they have them - many in the library field are facing challenges around how to manage remote working effectively.

Reassigning library resources

Across the United Kingdom, there are lots of examples of librarians moving to work at contact centres for people in isolation, helping to ensure those often at most risk keep contact with the outside world, with the same happening in Auckland, New Zealand and Newmarket, Canada. Elsewhere, librarians have volunteered with community initiatives, or, as in Mexico, are working to improve the quality of Wikipedia articles about people from under-represented groups. A further list of types of redeployment at work in England is available Public Libraries News. At the local level, in Nepal, READ library centres have proved to be the best placed to gather and share information about the local situation in order to ensure the government can best respond.

Richland is also looking to provide key resources for people facing unemployment, as is Indianapolis Public Library. St Louis County Library is offering drive-thru meals for children, as is the Cincinnati Public Library and some Toronto Public Libraries are now acting as food banks. Libraries in Yarra, Australia, as well as in Monash, Australia, are supporting food deliveries to vulnerable families and people experiencing homelessness, while READ centres in South Asia are providing food rations, alongside masks and continuing to support vaccination efforts, as well, for example, as ambulance services in Nepal. Toronto Public Library, meanwhile, has joined in the city's annual Newcomers Day in order to make migrants, refugees and other new Torontonians feel welcome, and access information and services, while READ centres in Nepal have provided support to stranded migrant workers.

Meanwhile school libraries in Oklahoma City are handing out books to children - as are some state libraries in Malaysia for the benefit of children in quarantine - while the Walloon guidance underlines possibilities to give schools access to library collections, at least until re-opening. Penn State University library is giving laptops and other equipment out to students who would otherwise not be able to continue to study from home, as is the library of the UPM Higher Technical School of Engineers in Spain.

Library spaces and equipment have also been repurposed, with libraries in San Francisco serving as childcare facilities for the children of key workers and Loussac Library in Anchorage, Alaska serving as an emergency coordination centre, while in Spokane, Oregon, the library is acting as a homeless shelter, and in San Luis Obispo, California, the library carpark is being made available as a safe space for people forced to live in their cars. In Oakland, California, bookdrops are being used now to collect spare masks. In Kansas City, the library is serving as a testing centre for COVID-19.

In Klaipedia, Lithuania, thanks to a cooperation between the National Library and the School of Robotics, library 3D printers are being used to print 3D protective equipment and items such as door-handles. Libraries in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, France, Malaysia and Portugal are doing likewise, while Columbia University is sharing approved designs for these so that anyone with a 3D printer can help. Preservation departments in American libraries are donating existing equipment. In Valpattanam GP Library, India, staff have been collecting cloth masks made by locals for further distribution.

This is not to forget books! The State Library of Western Australia's offer of 'mystery boxes' of library materials was rapidly over-subscribed, and Kansas City Library in the U.S. has been delivering bags of books to deprived areas. Similarly, in Montevideo, Uruguay, public libraries have set up an itinerant book service, visiting in particular soup kitchens and other places where it is possible to lend works to people in need.

Reopening Libraries

Moves towards the reopening of libraries are increasingly on the agenda as countries look to lift broader restrictions. In the case of schools, sometimes the library remains closed, even if lessons have begun again (the case in Logumkloster, Denmark). Decisions will of course need to be based on overall assessments of risk from the authorities. The Japanese Library Association's guidance suggests a four-stage process, for example, analysing risks from surfaces, close contacts with people, the ways in which people use the libraries, and overall levels of infection in the region. The guidance from Libraries Connected in the UK also includes a deep look at how to assess risks.

Most examples so far focus on a phased approach, with new services, activities and parts of the library only resumed when this can happen safely, with some associating the shift from one phase to the next to wider progress in tackling the pandemic, while others are more cautious in setting dates. As the Australian Library and Information Association has set out (see below), a useful approach is to start by assessing risk, then developing plans, and only then setting timings for resuming different services. It may also be the case, of course, that partner organisations are not yet open, which will also have an impact.

Broadly, the library field has warned against any rush to re-open physical buildings. Even if other services or buildings are re-opening, the specific nature of library services may make them unsuited to re-open until the situation has improved further, as set out in the Flemish (Belgian) guidance of 9 June. There have already been cases of libraries needing to re-close following re-opening before overall levels of virus in the community and procedures were in place. Similarly, a resurgence of the virus has already led, for example, to the closure of all but contactless book loans in Quebec, Canada.

Furthermore, given uncertainty about how the situation will develop, it is possible that stricter rules will need to be implemented subsequently, and so the possibility of returning to lock-down should be borne in mind (indeed, West Virginia recommends continuing to work from home one day a week so that the habit is not lost). At the end of this section, you will find a selection of plans already established.

Limiting numbers in the library

One step being taken to reduce risks is to limit the number of people in the library at any one time. This makes it easier to maintain social distance. In Macao (China), the public libraries are using a ticketing system to limit numbers in the library, a step also taken in Hong Kong (China) during a recent phase of re-opening. The The National Library of Serbia in its first phase of re-opening allowed only 5 people into its reading room, while some school libraries in Geneva, where they have opened, are letting just one pupil in at a time.

The National Library of Croatia has set a 200 person limit, with an app available to allow people wanting to use the library to see if there are spaces available, and the Russian State Library also planning to set a limit of 100-150 people, also by appointment. Meanwhile, in Guangzhou, China, figures have been set as a percentage of normal user numbers. In Poland, at least early on, the National Library's efforts to limit numbers were helped by people's ongoing caution about going outside, meaning that it was possible to avoid imposing restrictions.

Tokyo Main Library (part of the National Diet Library of Japan) is limiting access to previously registered researchers, rather than handing out day passes for the moment, as has the National Library of France in its first phase of re-opening. Similarly, the National Library of Ireland only plans to start issuing in-person reader passes from 20 July.

For the National Library of Luxembourg, the number of people admitted to the library will also be increased as the threat level falls.In order to allow more people to access the library, people can only make up to 3 reservations a week, subject to availability of space, and also limit the number of books that can be pre-ordered to 10 for any one visit. The Library has also set out how many items of different types of collections can be reserved at any one time.

The focus on encouraging (or obliging) pre-ordering of materials is a common theme, in order to allow libraries (including national libraries) to be ready for when readers are there, and so avoid waiting or last-minute searches, as for example in Ireland, which will even deliver books to a pre-allocated desk.

The Dutch library system has recommended providing baskets or bags (which act as 'entry tokens', making it easy to count up to a maximum number of people - see the links below), others have suggested other means which involve less disinfection. The Dutch have also suggested that groups of no more than two people at any one time can enter the library, as have the Estonians, who suggest a 2+2 rule with groups of no more than two people, at least 2m apart. The State Library of Liechtenstein proposes to use an automatic system, with 'stop' and 'go' signs depending on whether there is enough space in the library.

Given that numbers wanting to use the library may be unpredictable (from smaller numbers in one Finnish example at first to rapid over-subscription in Shizuoka/Namazu in Japan), others are discussing options to book visits in advance in order to manage the number of people coming to the library at any one time - a practice already implemented by the German National Library and the National Library of China. Similarly, other library services - such as printing, scanning or other support - can also be made appointment-only, as is proposed in West Virginia, or digital printing from mobile devices is encouraged, as at the National Library of Portugal.

In order to allow more people the opportunity to visit, the Czech Library Council has suggested that one option could also be to limit time in the library, a point echoed by other guidance. Hong Kong (China) also plans to re-open for periods of no more than 1h (followed by short breaks) in order to limit stays, with Shanghai also setting a limit of 1h, as is the National Library of Malta.

Other options considered in Chicago, United States, for example include providing services outside where possible, and limiting certain opening times to particular groups, such as older users (an idea also explored by the Czechs). In Portugal too, the idea of giving priority to vulnerable groups is set out in the official guidance (also in the Libraries Connected guidance in the UK), with the need to help people who do not have home internet access highlighted, both of which points are also highlighted in the Belgian guidance. Utrecht Libraries in the Netherlands have identified 'quiet hours' where people in risk groups can safely use the library for reading and learning. Libraries may also need to plan for personal protective equipment when it is necessary to be close to someone in order to assist them, as in Japan. The National Library of Ireland, for example, originally only allowed groups particularly affected by COVID-19 to visit its exhibitions for the first two weeks of opening. Others, such as Qatar National Library, have opted to set minimum and maximum age restrictions, in order to manage risks to both users and staff.

There are also efforts to reduce the need to come to the library. For example, Macao (China) has sought to do this by continuing to extend loan periods and encouraging people to use online services as far as possible (also at the University Library). Hong Kong (China) has also allowed for unlimited renewals and waived fines at its academic libraries, while Guangzhou public library (China) has increased the number of times books can be renewed online.

Calculating the right number is a key current issue. Many libraries have sought to follow the guidance given to the retail sector, although this also varies, from allowing 20m2 per person in Ireland, Portugal and Slovenia to 15m2 in Poland, Slovakia and Belgium, 12.6m ² in the United Kingdom, 10m2 in the Czech Republic and Austria, 10m2 for adults and 5m2 for children in the Netherlands, 15 per 100m2 in Croatia, and 4m2 in Australia, Estonia, France, Latvia, Qatar and Romania, and 3m2 in Mexico. Some of these restrictions have started to be lifted, however, with the Netherlands ending limits on numbers of people in buildings from 1 July, while the National Library of China uses a moving maximum, depending on the wider public health situation.

This may raise issues around privacy, as highlighted by the Japanese Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee. The American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee has indeed produced guidelines around relevant aspects of re-opening, and measures that may be proposed as part of contact-tracing or other elements of pandemic response efforts. Similarly, CILIP in the United Kingdom has prepared an advisory note, underlining that any schemes introduced should not be a deterrent to library use, impact people from marginalised groups or those subject to safeguarding, or damage the right to privacy. Moreover, data should be kept separate from other data collected, be done with sufficient capacity (including to delete data), and offer clarity over volunteers' status.

Limiting concentration of users

A further step being taken by some is to limit the number of sections of the library open to people. Importantly, even if there may be enough space in theory for people to respect social distancing, the use of certain facilities may make this more complicated, as highlighted in the guidance provided by French library associations.

This has been the case in Hong Kong (China), as well as in Macao (China), which has kept a number of areas (children's reading areas, meeting rooms, self-study areas) inaccessible. The Czech Library Council has also recommended potentially limiting services just to loans, at least at first, and some school libraries in Geneva are doing the same. Meanwhile, Dutch libraries are planning to open for use by groups of children, but not at times when the library is open to other users, and with gathering points outside. In Romania, the first spaces to open were ones with access to WiFi, with readers requested to bring their own materials.

Meanwhile, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia is using Libcal and facial recognition technology to do the same, limiting human contact. In Sweden, only one in two public computers can be used, and the length of time allowed on there is restricted. Others have sought to space computers out, for example using different parts of the building for computers in anticipation of demand for use (as in Topeka, Kansas), or will aim to reserve use for those who do not have internet at home (as in Belgium).

There are differing approaches to access to books - some suggest allowing this but recommending not touching books unless users definitely plan to borrow them (as in the Netherlands). Indeed, federal libraries in the United States were almost equally split on the question of providing access to stacks. Most plan to keep shelves inaccessible at first, and only allowing librarians themselves to fetch works (as in Slovenia, Portugal and Russia). The Danish guidance notes the importance of avoiding opening the library without staff, given difficulty in enforcing rules.

Organising events and activities

In those countries where re-opening is more advanced, there are already plans on how to make events possible again. To a large extent, this has been made possible by falls in rates of infection, and, in some areas, a lack of infections altogether.

In Austria, for example, it is already possible to hold events with up to 100 people indoors, and from 1 July, the limit will be increased to 250 people indoors and 500 people outdoors. In these situations, rules about social distancing (1m) continue to apply, except for people living together (groups of up to four), and with an obligation to wear face masks when entering and leaving, as well as during events when it is not possible to maintain distance.

The Slovak guidance also allows for events of up to 100 people, but with 2m distance between people not living in the same household, and also provision of gloves. The Flemish guidance, for now, recommends groups only of up to 20, and only if social distancing can be maintained, with further relaxation planned from 1 July, but big events still forbidden until 1 September. One option, at least where the weather permits, may be to hold events outside where risks are lower, as suggested by the Czech guidance (see below), as well as in the guidance released by the National Library of Poland, although in the latter case, there is still a limit of 150 people.

In organising events, the National Library of Poland guidance stresses the need for full training of staff and volunteers, and rapid planning if someone is found to have symptoms. In line with the Ministry's guidance, safe spacing between participants, careful management of entries and exits. Meanwhile in Myanmar, classes to teach local languages and cooking have started up again, with extra precautions to allow for safety and distance.

As throughout the pandemic, the importance of high standards of hygiene is a key theme, for example ensuring that staff have the possibility to wash their hands frequently, access to materials such as gloves and facemasks, and that hand sanitiser is available at the entrance (and potentially next to equipment such as computers). In particular, regular handwashing by staff continues to be strongly recommended (both before and after contact with materials), as well as the provision of bins for tissues or other potentially contaminated material (pedal bins may be ideal, as suggested by the Flemish guidance). As noted in the Andalusian guidance, it may be necessary to employ more cleaning staff, or to extend hours. They can be supported in identifying the surfaces at most risk, and give these the attention necessary.

For activities that may require more direct contact - such as support with using computers, where this is allowed, best efforts should be made to maintain distance. Kaslik Holy Spirit University in Lebanon has recommended that both the user and staff member in this case should wear masks.

Where this is not possible, some libraries are installing screens in order to protect both users and library and information workers. Similarly, where payments need to be made for services, contactless has been recommended, such as in Switzerland, or charges have simply been scrapped, such as for printing. Nonetheless, it may be important to reflect on how to ensure that this move does not exclude vulnerable groups who may not have access to cards, as highlighted in Canadian guidance. Similarly, the Libraries Connected guidance in the UK sets out equalities considerations for any re-opening plan.

Meanwhile, staff are using stylus pointers to indicate which computers visitors can use in Helsingborg, Sweden, while in Portugal it is recommended to leave doors open as far as possible in order to avoid the need to open them each time.

Additional steps include closing toilets (as in the Czech Republic), restricting their use or intensifying cleaning schedules, closing the library as a whole for short periods throughout the day in order to clean (as in Macao, China, Slovakia, or at the National University Library of Croatia and Qatar National Library), or once for a deep clean (as in Alberta, Canada), and regular cleaning schedules, especially of surfaces which are regularly touched. Users too are being encouraged to play their part, with cleaning materials made available so that they can sanitise surfaces and objects they have touched. It may be useful to carry out an audit of which surfaces are at highest risk, as done by the National Library of China. In some cases, it may be possible to adapt parts of reading rooms in order to permit safe access, as was promoted early on by the National Library of Luxembourg.

Materials that may be touched frequently, such as magazines and newspapers, may need to remain inaccessible until the risk is low enough, or only be accessible to people with gloves and masks (as in some Estonian libraries). Similarly, the Kaslik Holy Spirit University in Lebanon suggests preventing use of manuscripts, rare books and other older material for the time being, while the Flemish guidance suggests that it may be legitimate to focus permissions on the most necessary consultations (for example for legal processes, rather than local history or genealogical study). Public libraries in Shanghai, also, have prioritised in-person access to particular collections, while keeping others online-only for now. It may also be necessary, as the Portuguese guidance explains (see below) to provide extra training for cleaners.

A further question is around how much library users should bring in from outside of the library. The Dutch guidance, for example, suggests that users should bring their own pens and course material for small group activities, and try not to leave it in the library. The CILIP School Libraries Group and UK School Library Association suggests that as far as possible, materials such as coats should stay outside in order to reduce contamination risks.

It may also be worth ensuring that libraries have a plan for how to deal with situations where someone displays symptoms, for example by having relevant phone numbers accessible, and setting aside a room where it is possible to isolate a suspected victim, as set out in the Japanese and Polish guidance, and identify which surfaces may have been contaminated. Similarly, the South African regulations mandate that a relevant space should be identified.

Throughout this, clear communication with users is important, in order to ensure that they understand the rules in place. Where users cannot be expected to understand - for example, children or those with cognitive impairments - alternative approaches may be necessary, as set out in the French guidance.

As time has gone on, libraries in some countries have been able to lift some restrictions, with, for example, libraries in the Czech Republic no longer requiring users to wear face masks or practice social distancing from 1 July.

A further emerging issue is the need to ensure that authorities and experts know how libraries work, and in particular, how much contact they see, in order to avoid assumptions and mistaken recommendations, as has happened in the US.

Keeping Staff Safe

Clearly a priority is to ensure that staff are fit, well, and comfortable in providing services - indeed, this may also be a legal obligation. Ways of doing this include the hygiene measures mentioned above (indeed, the National Library of Poland has suggested that no library should re-open unless librarians can be properly equipped), as well as clear consultation and explanation of decisions and plans, and regular briefings and reminders (as for example in Roskilde, Denmark). The Danish official guidance underlines the need to engage staff associations and unions in re-opening decisions. The National Library of China is in regular contact with staff to ensure that they are healthy and well looked-after, while West Virginia puts a strong emphasis on mental health, and coping with the situation of being around others again. Canadian guidance also underlines the need for special attention to stress, given the uncertainty still faced. Many federal libraries in the United States are planning to bring staff back to work in phases.

As libraries re-open, many are doing so only for limited hours every day, and are allowing staff to work in shifts, as has been recommended by the Czech Library Council, as well as limiting meetings and staggering breaks (as suggested in Poland), only allowing meetings when there is a big enough available space or setting time limits (as in Senegal), or limiting meetings as far as possible or only allowing one member of staff to use kitchens, toilets or common areas at a time, as at the Library of Congress in Argentina. In Helsingborg, Sweden, libraries are timing these to ensure that librarians can avoid rush hours also, and in Portugal, the Directorate General for libraries has recommended staggered shifts. In some cases, staff are being welcomed back at work before libraries are open to the public, as has been in the case in Cologne, Germany, in order to carry out some of the tasks necessary for re-opening to happen safely and efficiently, as well as at the National University Library of Croatia.

Nonetheless, the National Library of China, amongst others, has continued to promote home working as far as possible. Staff are only called to come in if really needed, and then work in shifts to minimise contact, ensuring that no more than 25% of the usual number of personnel are at work at any one time. The National Library of Albania, in its re-opening strategy, passed from having 30% of staff working in the office to 70% in a second phase, while the libraries of Laval, in Canada, have made calculations around the numbers necessary to provide services at different stages.

In Croatia, the guidance is, where possible, to run two shifts, with an hour between them in order to allow for cleaning. In Switzerland, for example, it is suggested that ideally, staff should sit one to an office, and in Cologne, Germany, no more than two, with common areas, for example, transformed into office spaces to provide more room. Cologne is also looking to keep different teams apart by continuing to use digital meeting tools. In Western Australia, it has been suggested that staff should stay with a single computer throughout their shift.

Similar rules will apply for other areas where staff work - for example, the Slovak National Library (see below) has also made suggestions about how to keep use of official vehicles safe. The guidance for Alberta, Canada, suggests also that staff should have their own space or locker to keep their things as a further step to limit risks of infection.

Countries will have their own approaches to the health measures that can be required of staff, although the general recommendation is not to come to work if symptoms are experienced. The National University Library of Croatia suggests that staff should all check their temperature each morning before coming to work. The Library of Congress of Argentina sets out a protocol for how to respond if a member of staff shows symptoms, and the actions for other staff members present to take.

Still, it has been noted in the United Kingdom, for example, that many libraries are also likely to need to work with a reduced staff, given sickness, family obligations, or self-isolation, for some time to come. Volunteers too may not yet be ready to return to work, especially if they are older or have underlying health conditions, which may cause delays to re-opening in some countries (and indeed, West Virginia has suggested they should be the last).

As a result, libraries in a number of countries are running shorter opening times, and looking to increase efforts to promote staff wellbeing, an activity recommended for example in the guidance from Libraries Connected in the UK, alongside a range of other issues to bear in mind in order to ensure safety. In other cases, as mentioned in Andalusia, Spain, there may simply not be enough staff to open safely. The Norwegian guidance indeed suggests that running libraries under restrictions may take more staff than usual, and so it could be helpful that staff placed on temporary assignment elsewhere should return.

Overall, as the Portuguese guidance states, a key way to keep staff safe is to keep them informed, in particular when guidance changes. This will also leave them better placed to help users respect the rules too.

Handling Materials

Please see the section above.

Public Communication

Given current uncertainty, and often the complexity of the process of lifting restrictions, libraries planning for this have also tended to include a focus on communications - indeed, this is part of the recommendations set out by the German Library Association (see below). As the Australian guidance notes, there may indeed be more questions than usual from users unsure about what is possible or not. The Canadian guidelines echo this, stressing the need to explain the changes to services, and to help users adjust to the fact that things may not be the same as before.

Channels outside of those owned by libraries can also help, for example using local radio stations or TV, or posters, as in the Guangzhou metro.

Supporting the recovery

Even as they have to deal with new clusters of COVID-19 cases, governments around the world are also working to deal with the consequences of the pandemic. These are particularly challenging when it comes to issues such as education (where as UNICEF has reported, at least a third of schoolchildren worldwide have been completely cut off from remote learning possibilities) and employment, where people risk being left behind.

For example, articles and other materials are beginning to appear underlining the role that school libraries can play in closing literacy gaps, or that public libraries can play in helping people overcome the trauma of the pandemic.

Library associations have started to bring these arguments together in order better to support library advocacy. For example, Libraries Connected in the United Kingdom has produced resources showing how libraries respond to key individual and community needs.

Plans for re-opening around the world

Below are some examples of plans emerging. You can also consult the overview prepared by IFLA dated 6 June. See also the overview from Ithaka S+R of plans for re-opening in the autumn term among American university libraries

Argentina: the Library of Congress of Argentina has published its protocol for safe re-opening in an English version, including useful infographics for use with staff and users.

Australia: the Australian Library and Information Association has provided a useful checklist, setting out steps to take around communication, social distancing, safety precautions, staff support, community support and operations.

Austria: the library association has developed guidance on how to re-open safely, drawing on international experience and practice.

Belgium: the Flemish Library Association has produced a page on re-opening, drawing together relevant information from a range of sources into a set of guidance ( translated into English by IFLA). This has been updated as of 9 June ( Dutch, translated into English by IFLA). Meanwhile, the government of French-speaking Belgium has published a circular ( translated into English by IFLA), and the library association has developed an infographic for use in libraries to help inform visitors. There is also guidance for adult education (which also applies to libraries).

Colombia: the National Library of Colombia has produced an infographic setting out the process to be followed towards the re-opening of libraries, helping the library community to understand the decisions to be taken, and the conditions that must be fulfilled for this

China: A number of details about the process followed for the re-opening of libraries in China are available in the article published by IFLA's Asia-Oceania Section.

France: library associations in France have collectively produced a statement to government warning about premature opening of libraries, and guidance ( translated into English by IFLA) on what services may be offered at different stages of the lifting of restrictions, and how to minimise risk. The government has also issued guidance (dated 4 June, translated into English by IFLA). Further guidance was published on 21 September, reflecting further possibilities for events, including making toys available for children (if regularly cleaned). There is also an infographic to explain the phases. The National Library of France has also published instructions to visitors on its re-opening plans on its website.

Further insights are available in the Hong Kong (China): the Hong Kong Library Association has shared information about plans for re-opening in academic libraries. Information about plans for public libraries is available on the Hong Kong Public Library website. article prepared for IFLA's Asia-Oceania Section.

Hungary: the Hungarian Library Institute has produced an overview of efforts on re-opening around the world.

Iran: the Iranian Public Library Federation has published guidance for libraries which are starting to re-open, including suggestions on alternative means of providing services, and care for staff and users.

Ireland: the National Library of Ireland has published its plans for re-opening safely, with visits on appointment since 29 June, and a planned return to normal service from 31 August.

Italy: the Italian Library Association has published a review of the literature and its suggestions for rules to follow as libraries re-open.

Lebanon: the Kaslik Holy Cross University in Lebanon has published its plan for re-opening, including for handling materials, providing services, and for the safety of users and staff.

Liechtenstein: the State Library has set out its instructions for users following its re-opening.

Lithuania: The National Library of Lithuania has set out its guidance for visitors following re-opening.

Luxembourg: the National Library has set out its own five-stage plan for re-opening on its website.

Malaysia: Some details on processes followed for re-opening feature in the article prepared by Malaysian librarians for IFLA's Asia-Oceania Section.

Malta: the National Library has published its regulations for use of its two sites, highlighting a requirement to wear masks throughout, and limited access to equipment.

Saudi Arabia: The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has published instructions to users for its re-opening, including, at first, limiting access to graduate and post-doctoral students and staff, and forbidding meetings and other gatherings.

Senegal: The Cheijk Anta Diop University Library in Dakar has set out its own plans, in coordination with those for the university as a whole, including restrictions on services and numbers of users, and encouragement to use electronic means of communication. Serbia: The National Library has started to re-open, sharing a report about initial steps being made to promote hygiene and limit contact.

South Africa: the South African government has published regulations for re-opening libraries, underlining in particular maximum capacities (30% for reading rooms, 10% for computer areas) and the need for distancing and spaces for symptomatic cases.

Switzerland: the Library Association has produced guidelines complementing broader information produced for all establishments. IFLA has provided an English translation of these.

Trinidad and Tobago: the National Library and Information Service has published a short overview of its plans, including rules on wearing masks, and when ISBN services can re-open.

United Kingdom: the CILIP page on COVID-19 includes resources to help prepare for re-opening as a formal plan is developed with the relevant government departments, with suggestions already posted for school libraries. The page includes suggested checklists for school libraries to use before opening. CILIP has also already sent a letter to employers highlighting the need to assess and minimise risks before re-opening. Libraries Connected has also now produced detailed guidance aimed at library directors, considering risk-assessment, who should come to work, social distancing for workers, keeping users safe, cleaning the workplace, personal protective equipment, workforce management, and inbound and outbound books and other goods. Libraries Connected is tracking the experience of libraries as they re-open, and has also prepared an advocacy resource pack for libraries in order to help members engage with local government in order to safeguard essential funding and so continue to offer services, as has Libraries Connected in the public library sector.

restrictions, as has United States: The American Library Association has brought together a wide range of resources on re-opening on its website, including plans and other materials. At the state level, New Mexico State Library in the United States has set out plans for a phased re-opening, and a table and comprehensive blog from Idaho looks at what the stages of lifting restrictions could look like in libraries with lots of helpful ideas. Public libraries in the state of Georgia in the United States have also published a sample plan for libraries in taking decisions about staffing and services in different phases of the lifting of West Virginia and Indiana. The State Library of Montana has shared three examples ( here, here and here). The coordinator for public libraries in Alaska has also set out the issues in a presentation, as has the Colorado Library Consortium, the Connecticut Library Consortium, and the Massachusetts Library Association. The Idaho Commission for Libraries has shared a range of examples of re-opening plans from libraries of different sizes, which may be helpful. There are also specific guides for kerbside pickup from Illinois and Vermont.

Actions by Associations, National Libraries and library partners

Associations and Library Authorities

Library associations themselves are doing great work to inform their members and support them in difficult times. Many have set up pages with lists of reliable sources and guidance at the national level - complementing advice at the global or regional levels - and encouraged communication and coordination between library directors in order to share ideas and practice. Others are providing useful support for planning, both for the management of staff and buildings, and for the development of online services, through useful checklists and courses.

See in particular the following association pages:

Argentina: the Association of Qualified Librarians of the Republic of Argentina (ABGRA) has published a report on the response of libraries to the COVID-19 pandemic (in Spanish). This highlights in particular how important building a profile and providing services over social media became, and the need for national platforms of digital materials.

Australia: Australian Libraries Responding to COVID-19. ALIA has also made its Professional Development Postings freely available for the duration of the crisis, has launched a page of activities continuing during the pandemic, and is preparing a relief fund. ALIA has also published an interim report on libraries' response to COVID-19. With libraries re-opening, ALIA has launched a 'We're back' communications campaign, encouraging users to share what they missed while the library was closed. There are also efforts at the state level to analyse experience so far, for example that carried out in New South Wales, which highlighted both successes and challenges encountered.

Austria: the library association is providing valuable information to libraries about procedures for safe re-opening as well as sharing government advice, and has transformed its teaching activities into eLearning.

Belgium: Libraries and Archives Should Close for Visitors (in Dutch)

Bulgaria: Resources for Librarians in Responding to COVID-19 (in Bulgarian)

Cameroon: the Association of Librarians and Archivists of Cameroon has organised discussions between members using WhatsApp in order to identify future priorities, and is working with the Ministry of Culture and Bamenda University to coordinate archiving efforts around the Pandemic.

Chile: The Chilean Librarians' Association is working with a local NGO to collect stories about access to health information in order to strengthen advocacy in future.

China: The Library Society of China and the National LIbrary have shared a full summary of all of the activities that the association and libraries across China have been undertaking to support communities, from government to citizens.

Colombia: the Association of Colombian Librarians prepared a webinar (in Spanish, working with the IFLA LAC Section) on ideas on how librarians can respond

Croatia: the Croatian Library Association has set up a dedicated page with information on remote services, a data aggregation point on COVID-19 for libraries, access to virtual meeting services and electronic resources.

Czech Republic: the Czech library association has prepared an information page which includes health advice, updates on the government's response, and ideas on how to work with copyrght and privacy laws at the time of the pandemic.

Ghana: Ghana LIbrary Authority is promoting registrations for digital library cards, and has made resources available for libraries and users through its resource page.

Korea (Republic of): Statement on the Coronavirus Situation.

India: both the federal and state library associations have been active offering online training both related to COVID-19 and wider professional development, with the Karnataka state association offering an ongoing series. The National Librarians' Day on 12 August provided an opportunity for further reflection about the future of the field, for example through webinars organised by the Federation of Health Science Library Associations.

Indonesia: the Library Association of Indonesia has carried out a number of initiatives, including digital publications summarising relevant laws and regulations, scientific insights and analysis, rules in place on social gatherings, and a glossary on COVID-19, as well as continuing to support the profession in other ways throughout the pandemic. Iraq: The Iraqi Association of Libraries and Information has organised webinars focused on the role of digital libraries at the time of Coronavirus, as well as on broader digital transformation.

Italy: Where to Find Information (in Italian) offers an overview of national laws, sources of advice, and proposals on how to provide service while protecting privacy and health.

Malaysia: there is an extensive collection of examples of activities undertaken by libraries, and in particular the national library association, during the pandemic, presented on the pages of IFLA's Asia-Oceania section.

Myanmar: The Myanmar Library Association, in a successful cooperative effort, has run an active programme of online training and discussion for members, especially para-professionals, dissemination of information about COVID-19 and how libraries elsewhere are responding, and has developed its own guidance. The Association is also continuing to support a project to develop school libraries across the country.

Nigeria: the Nigerian Library and Information Science Students' Association has organised a series of lectures for its members over a series of days.

Puerto Rico: The Association of Librarians of Puerto Rico has launched a campaign around misinformation about COVID-19 (in Spanish)

Romania: the Association of Romanian Librarians has organised classes, webinars and working sessions to help members deal with the pandemic, as well as starting a public campaign #thelibraryfromhome. The Association has also collected data about libraries and services, while the wider field has supported overall efforts through 3D-printed protective equipment, supporting research, and combatting misinformation.

Serbia: the national library association has chosen to focus the next edition of its journal on the work of librarians during the pandemic.

Spain: the Network of Academic Libraries has prepared a resource page (in Spanish)

United States: The American Library Association has brought together its resources on recovery from COVID-19 onto a single page, including sections on advocacy and policy, education, data and research, and guidance content and protocols. The association's very useful Pandemic Preparedness toolkit is also still available. See also the resources gathered by ALA's Public Programs Office, and the webinar on remote service provision, and in their eBook on disaster preparedness, which has now been made open access. There is also this resource page prepared by the American Association of Law Libraries and the one by the American Association of School Librarians, which includes snapshots of the situation in school libraries and links to other key resources, as well as , the results of the Public Library Association's survey of how public libraries are responding, and this page on pandemic preparedness by the American Association of School Libraries.

Zimbabwe: the Zimbabwe Library Association has shared international experience, as well as looking to set up webinars, as well as to define points for advocacy around access to affordable e-libraries.

Furthermore, the Chinese Library Society has worked with the National Library to provide online learning while the Latvian Library Association has turned its conference into an online event combined with a social media campaign. The National Diet Library of Japan, as part of its support to the profession, has been monitoring and publishing update on the situation, as has saveMLAK (an organisation focused on helping libraries, archives and museums in times of crisis). The School Libraries Network in Portugal has both guidance and a platform to support school librarians in continuing to deliver on their missions, while the Information and Communication faculty at the University of Uruguay has collected examples of what libraries of all types across the country are doing in response to the pandemic

Other associations and organisations are active. CLIR has organised resources on COVID-19 on a special page, while the Association of Research Libraries has analysis of what academic and research libraries in the US and Canada are doing. The African Library and Information Association (AfLIA) is collecting examples of what libraries are doing in Africa and has a page on how libraries can respond plus a resource page, as is Infotecarios in Latin America (working with the Colombian Librarians' Association (ASCOLBI), LIBER for academic libraries in Europe and EBLIDA has developed a checklist of actions members can take. NAPLE in Europe has produced a valuable report highlighting the situation across 20 members as the pandemic arrived and took hold. This has since been updated with a review of measures being taken as libraries work to re-open, covering in particular safety measures and quarantining. READ has shared an overview of what its 107 centres across Bhutan, India and Nepal are doing in response to the pandemic.

The Association of Library and Information Science Educators has also published its own resource page, and the Federation of Health Science Libraries of India has organised webinars looking to the future of libraries post-COVID-19, as has the library at the Panjab University, Chandragarh, India, and the library of Alkafeel University, Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Association for the Promotion of School Documentary Services in Quebec has provided members with tools they can use to ensure that libraries are integrated in plans to provide remote learning, while the Every Library Institute has set up regular chats and an emergency fund to help libraries in difficulty.

National Libraries

In China, for example, the national digital library has been reinforced in order to deal with the increase in demand and has waived fines for borrowed materials which cannot be returned, as well as providing support to libraries and librarians across the country. In Korea, too, the national digital library has seen a major increase in use, and in Malaysia, the National Library has promoted its own digital library strongly on social media. The role of National Library resources in supporting the effort to combat the pandemic has been recognised by the British Library in its own resource page.

Some libraries have been able to negotiate the possibility to give wider access to legal deposit content for researchers and schools in Norway, and for researchers in the Czech Republic (alongside university libraries). Meanwhile, the National Library of Aruba has given access to the first eBooks in Papiamento (the local language), and will for the first time offer a Dutch-language eLending service, also for the first time, alongside working with the Internet Archive to offer a version of the National Emergency Library.

The National Library of Luxembourg, is making it possible to obtain a library card for three months by email, without the usual ID checks, in order to facilitate access, while the National Library of Morocco is maintaining both online inscriptions alongside ISBN and legal deposit services. The National Library of Lithuania is working with the School of Robotics to promote printing of personal protective equipment in public libraries across the country.

National institutions can also play an important role in speaking up for the sector. For example, in the archives field, The National Archives in London, UK, has set out clearly the challenges it worries that COVID-19 will bring to the field.

Library Partners

There have been very welcome moves by publishers, vendors and others working with libraries to facilitate access to content even when library buildings are forced to close. As set out in the statement by the IFLA President and Secretary-General, it is to be hoped that such steps are generalised as we all look to work together to allow learning, research and access to culture to continue.

A key step has been to allow remote access to content which normally would be restricted to on-site users. VitalSource has worked with its publisher partners to broaden access to materials using only an email address to log-in, as has ProQuest through eBook Central and Springer through extended log-in periods and Emerald through remote access possibilities, , while the Journal of the American Medical Association is also allowing for much more off-site access, as are sites such as ancestry.com. Michigan University Press is allowing read (but not download) access to much of its content. Children's publisher Collins in the UK is making content previously limited to on-site access available remotely. There are also positive examples from Latvia and Kenya, and from across the US as the pandemic spread into its second semester.

Some publishers have also been ready to take account of the fact that some libraries may simply not be able to make payments at the moment, for example Bristol University Press.

Like others (for example, APA, EBSCO, Emerald, Frontiers, Springer Nature, Elsevier, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, ZB MED, and MIT Press), SAGE is also concentrating and sharing resources on COVID-19 and managing pandemics through a microsite. The White House has taken a major step to facilitate text and data mining to help find solutions by releasing 29 000 papers for analysis. Emerald is also boosting support for creating and sharing publications around how libraries have responded to the pandemic through making volumes open, and planning thematic issues.

A key question currently will be how long extraordinary measures last. Where these are withdrawn before libraries are able to return to normal operations, there is a risk of harm to library users.

Finally, a key IFLA partner - OCLC - has held a town hall meeting bringing together over a thousand librarians in order to share stories and build understanding of the needs of the profession.

Communicating with users in different languages

IFLA's Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section is working with the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) to develop translated signage and text to support libraries communicating with their linguistically diverse communities, particularly in relation to library closures and accessing online information. These resources are available in MS Word format. Libraries are welcome to adapt and use this content as best meets their needs to communicate with their community. Translations will be made available in more languages as they are developed.

Ongoing issues

IFLA is aware that the pandemic has brought up a number of wider issues which we are following closely. In addition to copyright - mentioned above - there are concerns around the impacts of the crisis on the broader culture, education and research sectors, privacy, and ensuring democratic norms are protected. We continue to monitor these issues closely and will share information and views as appropriate.

IFLA has also highlighted the challenges faced in particular by university libraries in accessing eBooks, and explored where there may be the grounds for a competition investigation. We have signed the ICOLC Statement on resource access and COVID-19, and produced our own set of principles for use by library associations in negotiations with rightholders, as well as principles governments should look to guarantee in order to ensure that the class of 2020 does not end up less well informed than those who have come before. Libraries themselves are speaking out against practices that can limit access, for example restrictive licensing, and the pricing of academic eBooks. IFLA itself has taken part in discussions around the potential of Controlled Digital Lending to provide answers to access challenges during the pandemic.

Through blogs, we have also explored how library values are being affected and potentially put at risk, and how libraries can support freedom of expression.

We have also produced a first blog looking at overall trends that may result from the pandemic, from a variety of policy perspectives, as well as a follow-up piece identifying specific potential advocacy points in the short, medium and longer term, and a set of ideas on how to build advocacy capacity, even while under lockdown. In particular, we have highlighted the importance of preserving the idea of core government funding for libraries so that they can maintain their public focus, and set out five suggestions, based on existing ideas, for how libraries can be included in economic stimulus packages.

IFLA's activities

IFLA's work to strengthen and unite the global library field continues, not just in spite of the COVID-19 Pandemic, but because of it. We are determined to maintain the momentum created by the Global Vision process and the launch of our Strategy last year, and believe strongly that the mission it sets out is as relevant now as it has ever been.

As set out in our FAQs about IFLA and the COVID-19 pandemic, we have already worked hard to ensure that our volunteers and staff can continue their crucial work, and have seen a series of successful mid-term meetings by our Professional Units organised over the past weeks. The above also contains a number of examples of what IFLA is already doing.

Meanwhile, IFLA's Document Delivery and Resource-Sharing Section has launched a new service to support the sharing of resources across borders as a way of relieving some of the disruption caused by the pandemic.

However, this is just the beginning. We are also looking forward to announcing exciting new services and opportunities to build a stronger field powering literate, informed and participatory societies into the future. In this, we will be working closely with our Professional Units - the biggest brains trust in the global library field - in order to help inspire, engage, enable and connect the global library field. We look forward to sharing more.

Last update: 13 October 2020

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​ Last update: 13 October 2020 The information and resources below are provided on a non-exhaustive basis but will be updated regularly. It is based on publicly available information, and that submitted to updates@ifla.org. We welcome additional ideas, references, suggestions and corrections to this address. Please see also our FAQs specifically concerning IFLA.

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Adapting the Workplace: https://kfh.libraryservices.nhs.uk/covid-19-coronavirus/for-lks-staff/adapting-the-workplace/

Guidance from professional bodies and library services around adapting the workplace and returning to work.

Australian libraries responding to COVID-19: Checklist for reopening libraries

CIPD Coronavirus (Covid-19): Returning to the Workplace Guide

COVID-19 General workplace safety risk assessment —
completed example

UK Government Guidance: Working Safely During Covid-19

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The library should set up an area of the building as a materials isolation zone for those items that may have recently been exposed to the COVID-19 virus:
● This area could be a cleared range of shelving, a series of multiple book carts, or even piles of books on a table.
● Materials should be labelled with dates of when those items entered quarantine and when they are safe to re-shelve.
● Colour-coding or grouping by material type may be useful here.
● Courier carts and bins should also be quarantined.
● Consider amassing or purchasing additional book carts.
(AR)

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The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has put up a list of audio and video resources in its newly created section Culture in Quarantine. Give in to the quarantine theme and watch an enactment of William Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ or ignore the reel drama and listen to an audio one by BBC’s own New Creatives Drama.
Available@:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts
(AR)

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From Libaries Connected (Public libraries)

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From Libaries Connected (Public libraries)

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Library recovery toolkit - July 2020 PDF

This Service Recovery Toolkit has been prepared in consultation with Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
https://www.librariesconnected.org.uk/sites/default/files/Library%20recovery%20toolkit%20-%20FINAL%20%2807%202020%29.pdf

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I think we should work on an online Articulate induction tutorial for all students (LB)

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Turn middle kiosk around to create natural gap between borrowers using them, perhaps each with  area marked with tape to indicate queue area (HC)

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BC Covid 19 Re-opening Phase 1 - Detailed plan Appendix 1 - Delayed Assessment Opening Procedure and Controls
Links in Staff Update 09/06

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Could we set the RFID pads up so they can read the chip in a student card? We could achieve contactless issuing as the card and then books could be put on the pad to issue the items.

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About this resource
Following 'lockdown' from mid-March, members are now focused on getting ready for autumn and welcoming the new intake of students/learners.
Many organisations in and will have to run inductions remotely. How can you engage your learners and students and embed a sense of belonging so they feel part of the institution? What should you consider?

Member voices, surfaced through teaching and learning speakers and delegates at Connect More and other events, have highlighted the importance of an induction programme that supports online and independent learning for autumn 2020.

This resource has links to real practical examples of induction activity and is designed to help you develop your programme, whether your students are arriving on campus, learning from home or blending the two. It will be useful if you are concerned about introducing new learners/students to your organisation during this COVID-19 situation.

Scope

This guide is for senior leaders and anyone else in an or organisation who is responsible for planning, delivering or assessing induction programmes, including educators, library staff, teaching support staff and learning technologists.

Use it to:

Address key challenges to induction caused by the COVID-19 situation

Identify key questions that need to be explored to run a successful induction programme, remotely or across a hybrid of remote and 'on-campus'

Review and reflect on how you plan, design and deliver the programme against ideas and thoughts from other organisations

Signpost further resources that support induction planning

Evidence and approach
We have worked with our members to develop this guide.
When we asked members what induction meant to their organisations many stressed the need to welcome learners, make them feel part of a community and help them feel comfortable in their new surroundings. They said induction is a new starting point and an opportunity to begin the 'student experience'.

Members said they want to communicate with new starters, especially about what they need to know in their first term, the technologies the organisation can offer and the tools they may need to acquire for themselves.

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A guide to support HE and FE organisations planning inductions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Creative Commons attribution information Learner working with tutor online©Drazen_ via Getty ImagesAll rights reserved About this resourceFollowing 'lockdown' from mid-March, members are now focused on getting ready for autumn and welcoming the new intake of

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Senior academic liaison Librarian
Contact:

2F-12
David Hockney Building

01274 08 8259

David Porter
Academic  liaison Librarian
Contact:

2F-12
David Hockney Building

01274 08 8632

Deborah Duffy
Academic liaison Librarian
Contact:

2F-12
David Hockney Building

01274 08 8283
Hayden Clark
Academic liaison Librarian
Contact:

2F-12
David Hockney Building

01274 08 8288
If you want  to contact any of the librarians about Library information and resources please e-mail at:
askalibrarian@bradfordcollege.ac.uk
Emma Luby
Senior Library Assistant
Ashley Chaudhry
Library Assistant
Asif Rashid
Library Assistant
James Golab
Library Assistant
Mehmoona Shabir
Library Assistant
Vanessa Kenzie
Library Assistant

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HE Guides
Please click on the link below for more information about HE guides, resources and academic liaison librarians who deal with these resources.
https://library.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/?b=g&d=a&group_id=13972

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FE Guides
Please click on the link below for more information about HE guides, resources and academic liaison librarians who deal with these resources.
https://library.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/?b=g&d=a&group_id=13971/

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E_books
https://library.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/c.php?g=660835

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E-Journals
Students need username and password to log onto this page.
https://shibboleth.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/idp/profile/SAML2/Redirect/SSO?execution=e2s1

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General Information
The Library is now open in the David Hockney Building.

For students wanting to borrow items from the Library we recommend using our Request and Collect service, this allows you to request items before you come into the Library.  You are still welcome to come in to browse the shelves.

On a Friday, when the College is closed, Library Services are delivering support online and by email.

We have two libraries which you can use as a Bradford College student. One is on the second floor of the David Hockney Building (pictured above), and one is on the ground floor of Trinity Green

Library staff can provide help with:

print and e-books

print journals and e-journals

online databases

other online resources such as Study Skills

Use our online Library Catalogue to find both print and online resources. You can use our Library Online Guides to find more information, contact details and links to resources.

If you are off-campus, have your College username and password ready.

Contact us

Library staff are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm:

askalibrarian@bradfordcollege.ac.uk

Follow @BradfordCollLib on Twitter for library news

For a full list of ways to get in touch, click here: https://library.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/contactus

Opening hours

Term time opening hours (subject to covid-19 restrictions)

Monday – Thursday 9.00am to 7.00pm

Friday – online support 8.30am to 5.00pm

Library closure over half-term.

With Bradford College Buildings being closed during half-term there will be no access to the Library at the David Hockney Building. All borrowed items have extended due dates to reflect this closure.

Support is still available via library online library.bradfordcollege.ac.uk

Speak to a subject librarian

Need help with your assignment?

Why not book a slot with one of our Academic Liaison Librarians. You can see their details on the Library website.

Academic Liaison Librarians can help you find a book or article, access an electronic resource, or learn how to reference correctly.

You can book a one to one session by email, telephone in person or via Microsoft Teams.

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Library catalogue /Discover provides you all the information about the physical and online resources we have at Bradford college Library. Please click on link below to explore :
https://bcol.koha-ptfs.co.uk/

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To watch Library Induction video please click on the link below
https://youtu.be/A4-6-zNLfOk

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Study Skills
Bradford college Library provides you with a comprehensive selection of study skills resources in physical and online format that will help you to complete you research and assignments more effectively. Please click on the link below to see what we offer
https://library.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/c.php?g=663616

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Can we use lifts? North Yorks council not allowing anyone into lifts - trolleys are sent down and collected at the other end

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Should we remove displays to discourage people from staying in the library area?

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Estates will be providing perspex screens at helpdesks and reception (LB)

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There is likely to be a one-way system operating round the building and the library

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https://www.cilip.org.uk/news/493378/CILIP-Coronavirus-Information-Service.htm

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Strict limit of one student per study room (HC)

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A book return box placed near reception so students who have left can return books  easier. Possible quarantine of books. (HC)

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https://www.ifla.org/covid-19-and-libraries#reopening

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Cam configure kiosks to issue and return items only which will allow them to be used without touching screen. Stops payment and account option from main screen but still can be chosen from within issue login (HC)

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Can I please make a blue sky thinking suggestion that in order to communicate the Dewey codes and necessary materials to collect? Ideally could we request some pagers for the LA's. College already has many agreements of this kind, so I understand; they are widely used in similar and complimentary services to ours. Like us these services and response teams transmit fast on personnel and information, in order to get best response, with the minimum of disruption. (VK)
Also technology wise:
Libratone air, Bluetooth ear buds as another idea.
These will link to a phone or other device, feeding the codes and information through and then transmit. I would invest in these myself, as that would be a nice way to work, day to day. They were originally recommended in the Times when I saw them.

The advantage of pager is that the code is visible, holdable and recorded. Whereas the ear buds won't record it necessarily, unless linked to an phone, tablet or something similar. This could be looped in to help everyone of course.
The buds would have a lot of kudos with the students. (VK)

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Adapting the Workplace: https://kfh.libraryservices.nhs.uk/covid-19-coronavirus/for-lks-staff/adapting-the-workplace/

Guidance from professional bodies and library services around adapting the workplace and returning to work.

Australian libraries responding to COVID-19: Checklist for reopening libraries

CIPD Coronavirus (Covid-19): Returning to the Workplace Guide

COVID-19 General workplace safety risk assessment —
completed example

UK Government Guidance: Working Safely During Covid-19

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Have a table at graduation (next to, or on way to robing) for students to return their books, if they have not done so already.

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if we can get the RFID pads to read the chip in a student card then we could achieve contactless issuing as the card and then books could be put on the pad

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https://library.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/homepage

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Since this page was launched in March, its primary purpose has been to act as a point of information about the emerging COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the library, information and knowledge management profession.

As the situation evolves, this Information Service will focus increasingly on supporting the sector with managed service recovery. Resources developed during the first 'response' phase of the public health emergency will be archived at the bottom of this page.

CILIP's priority is to ensure that any service recovery is driven first and foremost by the safety and welfare of our members, the wider profession and service users.

If you have not already done so, please help us understand the impact of COVID-19 on our profession by completing the CILIP COVID-19 Workforce Survey

The survey is also available in Welsh - please complete the Welsh-language CILIP COVID-19 Workforce Survey (Arolwg Gweithlu COVID-19 CILIP)

Accessible Coronavirus Guidance from HEE

Our colleagues at NHS Health Education England have developed simple, authoritative guidance on coronavirus and COVID-19 in a range of accessible formats aimed at different user groups. They are an excellent source of information and a useful resource to direct enquiries.
Visit the NHS Health Education England Coronavirus Resources
Current risk level

From the 11th May, the Government has introduced a new approach to monitoring and reporting the Risk Level associated with COVID-19.

The Government has issued revised advice intended to minimise the risk of infection and break 'infection chains' based on the following elements:

Stay at home as much as possible

Work from home if you can

Limit contact with other people

Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)

Wash your hands regularly

Self-isolate if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.

It is important to note that there is increased divergence in the approach taken in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Always refer to the appropriate agencies for your national context.

This guidance can be used by members all across the UK but members in Scotland should also refer to the CILIP Scotland website for nation-specific public health guidance links and timelines.

Developing a Service Recovery Plan

Planning for service recovery is a positive and necessary step. It will help to ensure that your library and library staff are taken properly into account in the wider context of the recovery of your organisation.

However, COVID-19 remains a public health emergency. CILIP's primary goal is to represent the interests of our members and the wider library, information and knowledge profession and to ensure that any planned service recovery is driven first and foremost by their security and welfare and that of service users.

Any plans for service recovery should be implemented in the context of the overall Government and public health guidance and based on a clear risk assessment process.

CILIP is working with DCMS, public health agencies and a number of sector organisations to develop and share detailed guidance on service recovery, focused on the following elements:

Current threat level, Government & public health guidance

Agreeing shared aims for phased recovery

Undertaking a COVID-19 Risk Assessment

Identifying priority users

Protecting staff and volunteers

Creating 'COVID secure' physical spaces

Managing IT Access and Equipment

Books and resource circulation and browsing

Library-based events and activities

Communication with service users

Communication with organisational stakeholders & leadership

Download our open letter to employers concerning Service Recovery Planning
The Covid-19 Safer Spaces project has been developed by architects to help public places to reopen safely with a particular focus on libraries and a downloadable pdf guide.

You may also want to refer to the helpful 'Service Recovery Checklist' developed by our colleagues at the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA)

Promoting Libraries and Information Services during COVID-19

It is important to ensure that we continue to promote the value and impact of all types of library and information service during the disruption of COVID-19. Please see below for links to partnership activities we are supporting in order to promote the sector at this time:

The CILIP & CILIP Youth Libraries Group #NationalShelfService - daily YouTube book recommendations by professional librarians for children, young people and families

#LibrariesFromHome - the Libraries Connected initiative to showcase the support of public library services for their communities.

If you are aware of or leading on promotional activity for any type of library or information service which you believe ought to be included here, please email us to let us know.

Detailed service recovery advice
Service recovery links and resources
The following 3rd party links and resources may be of help to you in planning for the recovery of your services. These are not maintained by CILIP and we cannot vouch for the integrity of the advice provided.
Sector-specific service recovery guidance
We have worked with partner organisations and public health agencies to develop and share sector-specific service recovery guidance. See details from the links below:

COVID-19 Guidance for School Libraries developed jointly with CILIP SLG and the School Library Association

CILIP has contributed to the Service Recovery Toolkit for public libraries published by Libraries Connected.

We are in contact with SCONUL concerning their work on service recovery (in collaboration with JISC and RLUK) in Higher Education (HE) and we will share links to any guidance materials when available.

Unlocking Libraries a new guidance document from CoLRiC for use by libraries, LRC and information services in FE Colleges when planning for the recovery, re-commencement or re-opening of services.

If you are aware of or involved in the development of sector-specific guidance for libraries, LRC or information services in other sectors, please email us with the details.
Devolved nations recovery guidance
We have worked with partner organisations and public health agencies to develop and share service recovery guidance from the devolved nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. See details from the links below:
Current threat level, Government & public health guidance
The pandemic is still a dynamic situation and you should ensure that you refer always to the latest public health guidance and Government advice. It is important to note that there is increasing divergence in the pandemic response across the Four Nations. See below for links to the most current guidance:
Agreeing shared aims for a phased recovery Download our open letter to employers concerning Service Recovery Planning
It is helpful to agree with the leadership of your organisation what your ambitions are for the re-commencement of library services, to what extent and over what period.

In support of this process, and to facilitate dialogue with employers in all sectors, CILIP has provided this downloadable open letter for members to use when setting out the basis of Service Recovery Planning with their employer.

It can be useful in doing this to agree a framework or structure of 'levels' of service provision (for example on a scale from 0 - 'fully closed' to 5 - 'all library services resumed'). This can help non-library stakeholders understand which services are to be provided and the point at which additional services will re-commence.
Undertaking a COVID-19 Risk Assessment
CILIP's primary concern is to promote the safety and welfare of our members and of everyone who interacts with library and information services, including users and volunteers.

Following Government guidance, and in light of the huge variation in the size, scale and exposure to risk across different kinds of library and information service, we recommend that any plans for service recovery or re-opening should be based on an informed and comprehensive Risk Assessment.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published extensive guidance on Risk Assessment for COVID-19, including guidance on different types of workplace (including schools and educational establishments.
Key principles in Service Recovery Planning
A thriving library led by a professional librarian or library worker is an integral part of any organisation or community. Planning to re-commence library services (or to lift restrictions on services imposed during COVID-19) is a necessary and positive step for your users.

When planning for the re-commencement of services that have been disrupted due to COVID-19, we recommend you consider the following: >

Re-commencing services should take a risk-managed approach which recognises the unique needs, circumstances and capabilities of each organisation or user community.

Re-commencing or recovering services should happen as the result of an informed dialogue between organisational leadership and expert library, information or knowledge management staff.

It is important to recognise that a library or information service often represents a unique kind of space in your organisation or community. It is often a shared or communal space in which different parts of the community interact and share resources. This means that in addition to presenting a unique opportunity to rebuild support for your uses, the library or information service also has an unique risk profile which must be taken into account in your overall recovery planning.

Planning to re-commence or recover library or information services should take account of the latest public health guidance and not put library or information service staff, volunteers or service users at risk.

Planning to re-commence library or information services should accommodate a phased approach, recognising the possibility of having to restrict or withdraw services again, should public health or Government guidance require it.

Any decision on changes to services following the disruption caused by COVID-19, such as the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or physical protective measures such as screens or distancing measures must take into account their wider impact on service users including particularly the impact on equalities.

No changes should be made to library or information services in response to the disruption caused by COVID-19 which undermine the safety or welfare of service users, particularly children or young people, nor your responsibilities for Health & Safety and safeguarding.

Where library or information services are provided by an external party such as a contractor, this guidance should be used to inform a dialogue with them about the safe re-commencement of services.

Staff and volunteer welfare and PPE
Employers should maintain a clear policy on the safety and welfare of all staff in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is important to acknowledge that there are specific activities undertaken by libraries and information services - such as the lending and borrowing of books, providing a safe and trusted learning space or supporting non-library staff - which may require specific measures to protect staff and volunteers.

If staff need Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is it important to identify what equipment is needed, of what quality and in what quantity. PPE should be provided by the employer, following the relevant Government guidance. Your workplace will need to have clear mask-wearing advice and have measures in place to enforce this with service users if required.

At the same time, senior management should be aware of the circumstances of staff and volunteers and any extra-mural commitments such as caring for or living with vulnerable people that are 'shielding' from COVID-19. Any planning for the re-commencement or recovery of services should take the safety, welfare and circumstances of library or information service staff and volunteers properly into account in accordance with Government guidelines.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has provided updated guidance for employers to "make workplaces as safe as possible and give people confidence to go back to work during the coronavirus pandemic". This includes 5 key points to create a 'COVID-secure' workplace:

1. Work from home, if you can - employers are expected to have taken 'reasonable steps' to support staff in working from home. If, however, it is not possible to deliver the library service from home, the Government guidance is that you should go to work.

2. Carry out a COVID-19 Risk Assessment in consultation with staff and Trade Unions and where possible publish the results and any actions agreed.

3. Maintain social distancing wherever possible - employers are encouraged to re-design workspaces where practicable to maintain 2 metre distances between people by staggering start times, creating one way walk-throughs, opening more entrances and exits, or changing seating layouts in break rooms.

4. Where people cannot be 2m apart, manage transmission risk, for example by installing barriers, establishing shift patterns or minimising the number of people in a space.

5. Reinforce cleaning processes, paying particular attention to parts of the space used by many people (such as door handles).

It is important in conducting the 'COVID-19 Risk Assessment' that the employer takes into account the specific circumstances and needs of individual staff and volunteers in the library or information service. This should include:

Whether the staff member or volunteer can travel safely to and from their workplace.

Whether they themselves have an underlying condition that puts them at risk from COVID-19.

Whether they care for or live with another person who is 'vulnerable' or at specific risk form COVID-19.

Whether they have other caring or family responsibilities that will impact on their working pattern

We would expect senior management and library or information service staff to reach a mutually acceptable plan for the re-commencement of services which does not put the individuals concerned at undue risk.
Creating 'COVID secure' physical spaces
There is no single 'right' way to create a physical environment that is entirely 'COVID-19 secure'. However, we encourage senior management and library or information service staff to develop a joint plan which takes into account the following considerations:
Providing alternatives
If you cannot provide a physical service either because it isn't possible to implement the safety measures in line with guidance from the Government and PHE, or because you are shielding, you should consider alternative provision to face-to-face services.

Options include:

Discuss the provision of e-books and e-resources to support your users, including guidance on any extensions to access that have been agreed with publishers or the platforms you use for e-access.

Promote reading activities which do not depend on the physical use of the library space.

Consider creating virtual displays or other promotional activities to maintain engagement with service users while the physical space is inaccessible.

Reading lists - update and re-share subject lists or book recommendations.

Update your website/VLE pages, including considering whether there are resources you can add which would help service users make more or better use of e-resources.

If you have a regularly-changing cohort of library or information service users, begin planning induction sessions to help re-engage them in the service once face-to-face services are resumed.

'Click and collect' services
Some libraries and information services are exploring the viability of 'click and collect' options whereby users can browse electronic catalogues and request items to be prepared for them to collect.

While this model can work under some circumstances, it should only be used in the context of a clear risk assessment and a process for both the distribution and return of items where this does not put library staff or volunteers at risk.

Unlike in supermarkets where stock can be moved from a risk-managed warehouse to the point-of-distribution and then forgotten once it is handed off to the customer, libraries have to be aware of the additional risks of re-circulating material that has been in a number of different households.

Items made available through a 'click and collect' model ought to be subject to the same quarantine and safe handling measures as any other stock or resources in circulation.
Travelling to the library
Any plan for re-opening library spaces should be taken in the context of how library users and staff will gain access to those spaces, including the use of corridors passageways or any other potentially congested areas.

DfE has expressed the view in their general guidance for schools that "While in general groups should be kept apart, brief, transitory, contact such as passing in a corridor is low risk."

It is for each employer to make a risk-managed assessment of the issues attendant on corridors and other spaces where large volumes of people congregate or pass through during opening hours.

Where possible, the plan for re-opening or recovering library or information services should be clear about how risks attendant on accessing the space will be minimised.
Entrances and exit points
In addition to considering how people will get to the library or information service, it is important to consider how they will get into it.

Ideally, if at all possible, you should consider designating separate entrance and exit points, to allow for the movement of users through the library while minimising the risk of congestion.

If it is not possible to designate separate entrances and exits, you should consider implementing a priority access or 'traffic light' system which allows for the separation of groups entering and leaving the library space.

For solo librarians, it may be necessary to solicit support from other staff or volunteers to help manage the entry and exit systems.
Service points
Public Health England has provided useful advice and guidance on creating 'COVID-secure' workspaces, including specific guidance for 'indoor environments and contact centres'

The primary guidance remains at the time of publication that if staff are able to work from home, that is what they should do. However, there is a general view that the management of face-to-face library services requires staff to be physically present in the library.

In general, the main considerations when creating 'COVID-secure' spaces in libraries and information services should be:

Enabling staff, volunteers and users to increase the use of handwashing and hand hygiene, for example by providing 'Sanitisation Stations' or signposting washing facilities;

Minimising the 'contact time' spent in the library;

Actively encouraging 'social distancing', for example by taping out lines to indicate 2m distance from service desks or using arrows on the floor to encourage users to follow a particular path through the library;

Offering physical protection to staff such as PPE, barriers or screens*

* It is worth noting that the use of PPE such as masks may inhibit effective communications with service users or may in some cases cause undue anxiety. Consideration should be given to whether physical protection measures offer a better experience for library users.

It is important to be clear that nobody can be compelled to work in an unsafe environment. The implementation of physical protection measures should be done as part of an overall risk assessment and agreed between senior management and library or information service staff.
Space for social distancing
Many high-volume services, such as public transport and retail, are managing customer expectations by being clear about the impact of social distancing on their available capacity. The same is true of the libraries and information services - most of which operate in a fixed space and are likely to be relatively restricted in how many people they can accommodate with a clear 2m distance between them.

In considering how best to support social distancing for library users, consideration should be given to:

The removal or repositioning of furniture (it can be useful to tape a 2m grid on the floor and use this as a guide). Where furniture is removed, it will be important to give adequate consideration to storage and cleaning;

Movement control, for example by implementing a one-way system or using directional arrows taped to the floor as a guide;

Congestion points, such as entrances, exits, popular parts of the library or service points such as a desk;

Managing numbers of concurrent users (for example through a priority system, 'one in/one out', timed sessions or similar)

Particular consideration ought to be given to shared learning or other communal or workspaces and whether it is advisable to offer these during COVID-19. While they are a valuable and important part of the library's support, they may also present specific risks that it is difficult for the librarian or library worker to manage (particularly where they are a solo librarian).

Any support for shared learning spaces, communal or shared work spaces ought to be considered as part of the wider risk assessment for the library space.
Processing materials
There is no single process for processing physical books and other materials into and out of the library. The loaning and return of books, particularly where these travel with users to their home, presents a clear risk factor across all library and information services. Reference should be made when assessing the risks of processing materials to the following considerations:

Guidance on infection risks for different material types (see below)

Setting up a designated multi-stage quarantine area including:

Book return

72-hour quarantine

Safe post-quarantine book handling

Return to general stock

An overall process for monitoring the above

Creating a quarantine system/workflow to limit contamination risks (so only one person does the returns process, rather than multiple people)

Particular consideration ought to be given to whether users will be allowed to 'browse' books (ie. pick them from and return them to the shelves), since technically this represents a contact with the item which may carry an infection risk

In general, the above provision for quarantine ought to apply to new stock or resources brought into the library from vendors and suppliers as well as to the loan and return of books by library users.

It may be appropriate to contact vendors, distributors and suppliers to confirm that a risk assessment has been carried out of their facilities and proportionate controls implemented.

Consideration should also be given to physical materials brought into the library by users, such as bags, parcels, pencil cases and other kit. These represent surfaces which themselves may carry some infection risk. It may be advisable to ask library users to leave bags etc. outside the library to reduce the overall risk of contamination (although in reality the extent to which incidental contamination can be excluded entirely is limited).
Cleaning
Cleaning is at the core of enabling the library or information service to be a safe place for pupils and library staff.

There will be no single routine that will work, and the decisions around this will also need to take into account the impact on services, and the degree to which it is practical to enforce an intense cleaning regime.

Decision makers will need to:

Identify main risk factors (shared computers; printers which have keypads or touch screens; desks etc) and then decide on what is needed to minimise contamination.

Cleaning will be needed after different groups use items, and it may be that access or use is limited to enable priority use (for example shared computers not being accessible at specific times to allow for use afterwards)

A cleaning schedule will need to be decided to allow for core areas to be cleaned. It may be that this varies in the different stages of opening (for example if access is limited to a single group cleaning may only be needed at the end of the day; whereas once the library becomes more usable by more people the cleaning schedule may need to increase). Use of the library may also limit the cleaning materials that can be used.

Responsibility for the cleaning schedule will need to be worked out, taking into account the relevant factors; availability of cleaning staff and chemicals; the impact on service of not cleaning; and the impact on service of over-cleaning (for example online services will need to continue where possible, and any opening of a physical space in addition may reduce the time library staff have to provide this).

The UK Government has provided guidance on COVID-19 Disinfection for non-Healthcare settings
Managing IT access and equipment
Many libraries, Learning Resource Centres (LRC) and information services provide access to IT, whether that is through shared computers, laptops, tablets or printing facilities. These are usually popular resources which require careful management. Keyboards are particularly hard to clean at all times, and may carry an increased risk as opposed to touch screens.
There is no specific guidance on cleaning IT equipment at this time, and so general procedures for cleaning workspaces should be followed.
The positioning of any equipment will also need to be adjusted to meet social distancing expectations, which with many computer suites may require two computers to be out of use for every one which can be used. Given this and the need to reduce use of the computers that are left (use may have to be restricted to one user per period to reduce cross-contamination - so only one user can use the computer for a defined period, as opposed to many different people using the same computer) it is likely that some kind of IT booking process will need to be implemented to support the use of shared facilities.

The lending (even temporarily ie during break) of tablets and laptops will have to be carefully considered because of the chance of multiple users handling them; they are easily passed around and there is an increased risk of contamination. This equipment will need to be cleaned, and there must be a safe process of returning it; ideally it should not be returned directly to a member of staff, but placed somewhere for later cleaning.
Books and resource circulation and browsing

The risk from books covered in a plastic cover handled by someone who is a possible COVID-19 case is negligible after 72 hours.

The risk from books with a cardboard/paper cover is negligible after 24 hours.

Guidance on the infection risk for different materials has been sought from Public Health England (see above), but it is clear there is a risk posed by materials which are moving between households and the library or information service. This risk can be minimised by:

Implementing a quarantining period for books and resources Creating a quarantine system/workflow to limit contamination risks (so only one person does the returns process, rather than multiple people)

Safe storage of materials which still pose a risk, it is likely there wouldn't be room for this in the library, so other additional areas may need to be provided

Supporting low-risk 'browsing' - utilising digital library management systems where possible to allow users to identify the books they want to try.

Promoting the use of e- and audio books.

Extending the returns deadline of books which are currently out to September.

Example survival times of COVID-19 on different materials
Source: WebMD(US), accessed 14.05.2020

Sources of financial help and advice
CILIP Benevolent Fund 'COVID-19 Emergency Fund'
The CILIP Benevolent Fund Trustees have agreed an emergency interim policy to ensure that we are able to maximise the support available to CILIP members during the disruption caused by COVID-19 and coronavirus.

The key elements of our interim support are:

The Benevolent Fund has created a COVID-19 Support Fund, releasing up to £150,000 from reserves to support CILIP members experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, financial hardship due to COVID-19;

In order to be able to support as many people as possible, the Trustees have applied a limit of a maximum of £500 per applicant;

The Trustees have simplified and streamlined the online application process in order to be able to provide urgent support as and when needed

For details of the new financial support for CILIP members visit the CILIP Benevolent Fund webpage.

This interim policy will be reviewed at the end of May.
Coronavirus support from the Arts Council England
The Arts Council England (ACE) have published a new web page featuring the latest advice from Government for libraries, museums and arts organisations affected by COVID-19 and coronavirus.

The page includes details of specific support to organisations within the ACE remit, including libraries.

More information is available from https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/news-and-announcements/coronavirus-information
Coronavirus support from Government
The Government has announced a wide-ranging package of financial and other support measures for businesses and employees affected by coronavirus.

Information on available support and how to access it is published at http://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

CILIP has received a number of enquiries relating to the legal basis of lockdown and other elements of the Government's COVID-19 response.

The House of Commons Library has produced a helpful briefing in support of a Motion (04.05.2020) granting Parliamentary Consent to the emergency regulations which underpin the 'lockdown' in England.
Coronavirus support from Unions
We have received information from a number of Unions concerned their support and advisory services in response to COVID-19, please see the links below.

CILIP Information
Policy Statement on COVID-19, civil liberties and professional ethics
The CILIP Board has approved a new Policy Statement on COVID-19, civil liberties and professional ethics, designed to support our members in ensuring that they can support an effective response to the current public health emergency while protecting and promoting the rights and freedoms of their users.
Read and download the full statement CILIP Board Statement on COVID-19 (20.03.2020)
On Monday 16th March 2020, both the UK Government and the NHS (retrieved retrieved 15:05, 17/03/20) advised that 'everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus spreading'[1], which includes a number of initiatives including increased hand-washing and practising good respiratory hygiene. The advice and evidence also strongly calls for "social distancing", and the Government have offered specific 'advice to reduce social interaction between people in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19)'(retrieved 15:05, 17/03/20).

A wide range of leisure and cultural attractions are already closing to the public and moving to remote working wherever possible, in line with this latest advice. CILIP recognises that the Information Profession covers an extremely broad range of organisations and that library and knowledge workers may face extremely different situations, requirements and concerns depending on the nature of their organisations.

Because of this, it is not possible for CILIP to offer a "blanket statement" that will fit every organisation - advice which is suitable for public libraries may not always map to academic libraries, and advice suitable for an information service within a private firm may not apply to information services working within the public sector.

Many library and information services provide support either to those in particularly vulnerable demographics or to those who are in regular contact with people who have been identified as being at particularly increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19).

As a result of this, increasing numbers of library and knowledge services are already adapting their working practices to enable them to maintain their service while following the expert advice being offered to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) among their users and staff. CILIP fully supports these institutions in the responsible steps being taken to balance their individual organisational situation with the welfare and needs of their staff, users, and the public at large.

CILIP notes with concern that in some host institutions, a "business as usual" model is being maintained. We urge all institutions to reflect on any actions being taken at this time in order to ensure that they comply with the expert advice being provided to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Many library and information workers themselves are also either at increased risk or are necessarily in close contact with those who are at increased risk, and we recognise that many of our members working at such institutions are being torn between their need to follow the evidence and advice on social distancing and their professional drive to fulfil their duties on behalf of their organisation.

On behalf of these members, CILIP calls on all host institutions to follow NHS and government guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and to transparently engage with their staff to inform and discuss with them the best response to ensure the welfare of their staff and service users.

This includes supporting staff to work remotely and enabling social distancing, as well as supporting the development of more services which their library and knowledge services can develop and deliver remotely in support of their users over the coming months.

Although the library and information sector is broad, we believe that there are already opportunities for most library and information workers to continue to provide many of their essential services, and provide their specialised skillset via online and remote access. Making best use of these opportunities should both minimise any disruption to services and still enable host institutions to follow the latest evidence and guidelines provided by the Government, NHS, and Public Health authorities.

CILIP appreciates the many ways in which members are applying their expertise, creativity and commitment to serve their communities at this extraordinary time. Over the coming days, CILIP will liaise with its Special Interest Groups to identify and share initiatives and best practice applicable to the needs of specific sectors of the library and information community. Through this we hope to leverage expertise and sector-specific skills to best support our members in using their professional skills in supporting their organisations to follow the expert advice on responding to coronavirus (COVID-19), and ensure the best possible continuity of service to their users and communities through this challenging period.
CILIP policies and procedures CILIP Furloughing Policy
At the request of the Board of Trustees, the CILIP Senior Leadership Team are implementing a number of actions to secure our ongoing operations while continuing to deliver support for our members.

As part of this process, and in common with many organisations in all sectors, CILIP has implemented a Furloughing Policy whereby a significant proportion of staff have been furloughed with their agreement for a period of 4-5 weeks starting from the 21st April and concluding at the end of May. We anticipate that the majority of staff will be back in-post by the first week of June.

We have taken a 'whole organisation' approach to furloughing based on 5 categories:

Continuity of legal status

Sustaining basic operations including member services

Fulfilling contractual obligations

Protecting revenue

All other organisational functions

Based on this list, the following staff roles will not be furloughed:

Chief Executive Officer

Head of CILIP in Scotland

Head of Finance

Finance Manager

Head of Facilities

Campaigns and Awards Manager

Projects & Programmes Manager

Membership/Communications team member

Events Manager

Online Learning Manager

* in addition, some contract staff will continue to work for CILIP during the period of furlough.

We anticipate being able to sustain operations and member support during the period of furlough. We ask members wishing to contact us to use the Contact Forms in the first instance and we will endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.
Access to premises in London and Glasgow
Our first priority is for the health and well-being of our staff, members and tenants and visitors to our premises either in London or Glasgow. For the time being, our London office remain open for business but the Glasgow office is closed and staff will work from home for the foreseeable future.

We are actively monitoring the developing situation and guidance from Public Health England and will update this position as soon as this guidance changes.
Meetings
Due to the increased risk and the updated guidance provided by the Prime Minister and the NHS, CILIP has implemented home working for all staff able to do so. We will liaise with contacts and stakeholders to minimise disruption. For the time being, we will aim to convert meetings into Zoom meetings wherever possible.
Events, conferences and training
Events, conferences and training are a major part of our work in support of the library, information and knowledge management profession, and so we have taken additional advice relating to these activities.

CILIP and our Member Networks are reviewing every event on a case-by-case basis and may need to cancel, reschedule or make alternate arrangements under specific circumstances. We may also investigate converting face-to face events into e-events where appropriate.

We are developing contingency plans in the event that this guidance should change over the coming months and we will ensure that any changes are communicated in full to event participants.

Archived resources (archived 12.05.2020)
General advice and guidance
During the COVID-19 emergency every person - including library staff, those using library books and those working in, or visiting, the library space - is advised to wash their hands more frequently to protect themselves from any contaminated surfaces.

Please note guidance from the COVID-19 Guidance Cell of Public Health England's National Infection Service, as advised to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 27 March 2020:

The risk from books covered in a plastic cover handled by someone who is a possible COVID-19 case is negligible after 72 hours.

The risk from books with a cardboard/paper cover is negligible after 24 hours.

CILIP notes that each individual library and information service has developed their own policies and protocols for safe book handling, including leaving books in 'quarantine' for 72 hours before handling.

We recommend following the following information sources for regularly-updated and authoritative information on the development and spread of the virus:

NHS Coronavirus Hub - http://www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

Government advice hub, including advice for the public, employers and businesses - https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

The Public Health England Knowledge and Library Services Team have developed a comprehensive set of information resources about the virus, its symptoms and how to promote public health - https://phelibrary.koha-ptfs.co.uk/coronavirusinformation/

Public Health England are also regularly maintaining and updating a collection of advisory materials for the public: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

If you are concerned about any misinformation that may be in circulation concerning COVID-19, refer to the Coronavirus Misinformation Tracker provided by Newsguard.

You can also download and display some helpful posters on hand hygiene and other preventive measures at https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/resources/posters/en/

Sector-specific advice and guidance
Due to the highly localised and specific nature of the virus response, CILIP cannot provide advice to cover every type of library, information and knowledge service. You should in all cases follow the policy and guidance of your institution alongside that of the NHS and Public Health England.

As at the 20th April it appears that the majority of physical library and information services in most sectors are closed - although many have now moved to expand their digital services and to offer digital surrogates of their face-to-face services.

At the time of writing, it is not clear when the current prohibition on movement will end, nor on what basis. We encourage all heads of service to ensure that their institution acts in a way that promotes the health and wellbeing of library and information staff as well as that of service users while complying with Government guidance.

Although a majority of services are now closed, the following advice has been shared with us to help you consider how best to respond:
If your library, information or knowledge service is remaining open

Follow best practice on book and materials handling and quarantine

Consider providing posters sharing current NHS advice on hand hygiene and handwashing

Provide hand gel or signpost handwashing points for all users and staff

Provide wipes for keyboards and other shared equipment

Ensure that offices and public spaces are cleaned regularly and thoroughly

If your library, information or knowledge service is to be fully-closed

Extend all book loans

Cancel all events and activities (and notify attendees)

Notify users that the service has been forced to close on an interim basis

Encourage users to contact the library via email/online

Consider whether remote access to services can be provided to minimise disruption

Keep users and staff regularly updated as the situation develops

If your library, information or knowledge service is closed to users

Devise a task list for work that staff can complete while the service is closed to the public/users

Support for freelancers and consultants during coronavirus

Coronavirus and COVID-19 are having a very significant effect on freelancers and consultants who support the library and information sector.

To help address this, a coalition of freelancers and librarians have launched an online support service which allows freelancers to list their services and availability and library and information services to find people.

Visit the 'Librarians Support Freelancers' service now and register your services if you are available for work.
Sector-by-sector statements on Coronavirus & libraries
We are monitoring developments with libraries and information services on a sector-by-sector basis and liaising with sector representative organisations and employer groups to encourage them to act in the interests of the wellbeing of their staff and the public as well as in accordance with official guidance.

We acknowledge that closing libraries for public access does not mean shutting down services and are working with sector organisations to promote the transition to the provision of online services.

Further sector-by-sector updates will be added to this resource in due course so please do refer back regularly.
School and College Libraries
We are aware that the rapid development of COVID-19 is having a significant impact on library workers in schools and colleges. Currently, our advice is to follow the policy of your school or college in terms of keeping yourself and your students safe.

New guidance has now been provided by the Department for Education to help parents and carers of primary school children to continue their education during coronavirus.

The following is adapted from an update from the Chair of the CILIP School Libraries Group:
"School libraries have suddenly become really important as books have been flying off the shelves, literally in their hundreds, into the hands of students. School librarians, of course, risk not getting all of them back, but that was a price we all were prepared to pay. Now schools are closed, school librarians face the part-opening for necessary workers. The Government have not clarified whether support staff - including librarians - are classified as essential workers alongside teachers or not. Some librarians have been told to come in (if not self isolating) but with no indication of whether they can therefore put their children into schools. A clarification is needed. If it only covers teachers, then support staff with children should not be required to be in schools. CILIP has been asked to lobby for clarification on this. Those of us in schools are not expecting to be back before September. We are expecting to not only have to deal with several months worth of post and emails, and rooms which badly need tidying but which we have not been allowed to enter, but also the mental health of our students will be fragile. The library as a refuge will be needed more than ever, and this crucial role needs flagging up."
The School Libraries Group have been quick to mobilise a range of support resources including:
Public Libraries
As at 20.30 on Monday, 23rd March, the Government announced a generalised closure of a number of public venues including libraries. In a parallel announcement the Welsh Government has also confirmed the closure of all public libraries in Wales.

CILIP CEO Nick Poole met virtually with the Libraries Minister Caroline Dinenage MP and the DCMS Libraries Team on Monday to discuss the situation and explore how libraries can continue to support their communities during the period of lockdown.

CILIP CEO Nick Poole is meeting regularly with the Libraries Minister Caroline Dinenage MP and the DCMS Libraries Team to discuss the situation and explore how libraries can continue to support their communities during the period of lockdown.

CILIP welcomes the news that registrations with public libraries have increased significantly during lockdown and supports the Libraries Connected call for additional investment in public libraries to enable them to purchase more e-books to meet increased demand.

CILIP will continue to provide online support for members and the wider sector with their CPD during the period of lockdown, including through webinars, Vimeo and digital content.

The majority of public library services in England are now closed, according to the online tracker being maintained by Public Libraries News.

CILIP is aware that alternate arrangements are being put in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and members in those jurisdictions should refer first to the guidance of the relevant sector bodies there.
Academic Libraries
We are in contact with Directors of Library and Information Services in HE institutions across the UK and are actively monitoring the decisions they are making. At the moment, following careful consideration, a significant number are remaining open in some form, albeit with limited face-to-face services.

CILIP is liaising with SCONUL and others to ensure that we are up-to-date on the situation in academic libraries and able to support our members in the sector.
Health Libraries and Knowledge Services
CILIP is in regular contact with senior leaders at Health Education England and Public Health England to monitor the impact of COVID-19 and the wider public health crisis on librarians and knowledge specialists in health.

Through their regional networks HEE library and knowledge service development leads are actively supporting NHS library and knowledge services staff to follow Government advice, and that of their employer, and focus on the best ways that our professional skills can be brought to bear to deliver evidence and support the organisations and the communities we serve at this critical time.

For librarians and information professionals working in health, it is useful to refer to Current Awareness Bulletins, such as this from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, which collate the latest updates on sources of clinical advice and data on coronavirus and COVID-19:
All other services
These updates reflect the sectors with which we have had specific communications. Over the next few days, we will be reaching out to our Special Interest Groups to ensure that all sectors are represented.

In the meantime, please email any sector-specific updates to nick.poole@cilip.org.uk.
Member-submitted resources
We have asked members to share with us link to and details of any guidance materials or sector-specific resources that have assisted them in dealing with the impact of coronavirus on their work. Please be aware that while we have exercised judgement in the selection of these resources, we cannot guarantee their quality. Please always refer to the additional sources listed above in the first instance.

Colleagues working in GLL Libraries have kindly shared the following information about housekeeping and other procedures in place in their libraries:

Measures currently being taken in GLL Libraries:

Clean libraries: we are ensuring that all libraries are as clean as possible. In Bromley, the Council is deep cleaning all offices and other spaces which it controls and we are mirroring this in our libraries with steam cleaning throughout. In order to do this effectively, we have asked staff to operate a clear desk policy.

Keyboards and screens. We have arranged for regular antibacterial cleaning of all screens and keyboards: staff are also being issued with antibacterial wipes and given instruction by the professional cleaners on how to do this when swapping keyboards back of house

Children's toys. Many of our children's activities involve the use of toys. We have been advised by our cleaning company that they cannot guarantee effective cleaning of toys and so we are withdrawing toys for some activities or at the least, using them sparingly. We are not sure how long infectious substances remain surfaces, and so we encourage children to wash their hands before and after using toys in libraries, in any case.

Handwashing. In order to encourage staff to wash their hands thoroughly, we are ensuring that each bathroom has hot water, washing mousse or soap, and either an efficient hand drier or an older hand drier plus (recycled) paper towels. Torque rolls have also been provided for clearing up in libraries. We are encouraging staff to wash hands:

before leaving home

on arrival at work

after using the toilet

after breaks and sporting activities

before food preparation

before eating any food, including snacks

before leaving work

on arrival at home

avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Contact with the public. Antibacterial sensitizer is located at every contact point.

Information for the public. Notices providing government guidance on the COVID-19 outbreak are displayed in all libraries.

Home Delivery Services. Home delivery services take library services to the homes of people who cannot visit the library: many of these customers are inevitably older and vulnerable people, and so we do not want to expose them to the risk of infection. We have introduced a protocol of contacting the customer 5 minutes before the visit to ensure that we know whether books are to be left on the doorstep or delivered directly to the customer. Because we are dealing within a vulnerable group of customers, particular care will be taken: if possible, book covers will be treated with antibacterial wipes and staff may wear latex gloves during the visit.
Header image: Scientific Animations under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

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Since this page was launched in March, its primary purpose has been to act as a point of information about the emerging COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the library, information and knowledge management profession. As the situation evolves, this Information Service will focus increasingly on supporting the sector with managed service recovery.

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if we can get the RFID pads to read the chip in a student card then we could achieve contactless issuing as the card and then books could be put on the pad

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If we have to install a fair turn system, for the student entry into the Library, how about a message on their phone linked to a number on the TV screens? This would mean some kind of turnstile request to enter the Library, but if one of us was posted there, this could be linked in. Meaning all students felt they had their fair turn. Or they could electronically request via an email address and it could be taken from there..VK

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If we have to install a fair turn system, for the student entry into the Library, how about a message on their phone linked to a number on the TV screens? This would mean some kind of turnstile request to enter the Library, but if one of us was posted there, this could be linked in. Meaning all students felt they had their fair turn. Or they could electronically request via an email address and it could be taken from there..VK

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If you need a  reminder of what the the David Hockney Building looks like, you can images on the g-drive here
G:\LIBRARY\MARKETING\Images\DHB 03 Second
This folder is of the second floor look in images for pictures of the rest of College. These pictures date from the building of DHB so it can take a while to find what you want.

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Could we have a counter somewhere with a number of clear plastic bags which students can put the books in and deposit them? A bit like they introduced at airport security although for different reasons.

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Backed up with a quiz to test knowledge. This could be loaded onto all Moodle courses, the Student Services Induction page, or the Library moodle page

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The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has put up a list of audio and video resources in its newly created section Culture in Quarantine. Give in to the quarantine theme and watch an enactment of William Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ or ignore the reel drama and listen to an audio one by BBC’s own New Creatives Drama.
Available@:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts
(AR)

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Need a boost? Allow these heart-warming novels to provide some much-needed escapismAvailable at:

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Need a boost? Allow these heart-warming novels to provide some much-needed escapismAvailable at:

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https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/books/fiction-books/best-uplifting-books-feel-good-fiction-amazon-lockdown-a9463736.html
(AR)

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Cam configure kiosks to issue and return items only which will allow them to be used without touching screen. Stops payment and account option from main screen but still can be chosen from within issue login (HC)

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In order to facilitate student enquiries we could book out 2nd floor study room/s to a single person and they can use the laptop to communicate with the DL. (DP)

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https://www.cilip.org.uk/news/493378/CILIP-Coronavirus-Information-Service.htm

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There is likely to be a one-way system operating round the building and the library

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Estates will be providing perspex screens at helpdesks and reception (LB)

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Should we remove displays to discourage people from staying in the library area?

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Can we use lifts? North Yorks council not allowing anyone into lifts - trolleys are sent down and collected at the other end

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About this resource
Following 'lockdown' from mid-March, members are now focused on getting ready for autumn and welcoming the new intake of students/learners.
Many organisations in and will have to run inductions remotely. How can you engage your learners and students and embed a sense of belonging so they feel part of the institution? What should you consider?

Member voices, surfaced through teaching and learning speakers and delegates at Connect More and other events, have highlighted the importance of an induction programme that supports online and independent learning for autumn 2020.

This resource has links to real practical examples of induction activity and is designed to help you develop your programme, whether your students are arriving on campus, learning from home or blending the two. It will be useful if you are concerned about introducing new learners/students to your organisation during this COVID-19 situation.

Scope

This guide is for senior leaders and anyone else in an or organisation who is responsible for planning, delivering or assessing induction programmes, including educators, library staff, teaching support staff and learning technologists.

Use it to:

Address key challenges to induction caused by the COVID-19 situation

Identify key questions that need to be explored to run a successful induction programme, remotely or across a hybrid of remote and 'on-campus'

Review and reflect on how you plan, design and deliver the programme against ideas and thoughts from other organisations

Signpost further resources that support induction planning

Evidence and approach
We have worked with our members to develop this guide.
When we asked members what induction meant to their organisations many stressed the need to welcome learners, make them feel part of a community and help them feel comfortable in their new surroundings. They said induction is a new starting point and an opportunity to begin the 'student experience'.

Members said they want to communicate with new starters, especially about what they need to know in their first term, the technologies the organisation can offer and the tools they may need to acquire for themselves.

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A guide to support HE and FE organisations planning inductions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Creative Commons attribution information Learner working with tutor online©Drazen_ via Getty ImagesAll rights reserved About this resourceFollowing 'lockdown' from mid-March, members are now focused on getting ready for autumn and welcoming the new intake of

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if we can get the RFID pads to read the chip in a student card then we could achieve contactless issuing as the card and then books could be put on the pad

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​

Last update: 13 October 2020

Key Resources for Libraries in responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic

The information and resources below are provided on a non-exhaustive basis but will be updated regularly. It is based on publicly available information, and that submitted to updates@ifla.org. We welcome additional ideas, references, suggestions and corrections to this address. Please see also our FAQs specifically concerning IFLA.

Do note also the upcoming special issue of the IFLA Journal focused on innovations in libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, please see the call for submissions.

Understanding COVID-19 and its spread

Resources about the disease

Coronavirus refers to a family of viruses. COVID-19 - or Coronavirus Disease - is the infectious disease caused by a newly discovered type of coronavirus.

As the World Health Organization (WHO) has set out, most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

Common symptoms include fever, tiredness and a dry cough. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, aches and pains, sore throat, and very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Resources about latest cases

National authorities around the world are working to gather information about numbers of tests, infections and consequences. You should turn first to your national authorities for this information, as they should have the most recent data.

At the global level, the WHO is releasing daily updates on the situation. This information is used to build the WHO's dashboard on cases.

The Centre for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University is also maintaining a global map live, including figures on numbers of recovered patients. This is being used regularly in media reporting.

Library closures around the world

Libraries around the world are facing hard choices around which services to offer and how, ranging from minimal restrictions to full closure. We are aware that governments themselves are taking different approaches, sometimes ordering the closure of all institutions, others indicating that life should continue as usual, and others simply leaving decisions up to library directors.

Clearly any decision to restrict services or close a library is a difficult one and needs to be taken following an assessment of the relative risks.

We are currently aware of entire public library systems being closed in the following countries and territories: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates.

In the meanwhile, libraries in the Aland Islands, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bhutan, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Hong Kong (China), Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, Jersey, Latvia, Kenya, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao (China), Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Moldovia, Morocco, Namibia, the Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Réunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, St Lucia, St Martin, Svalbard, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom and Viet Nam are beginning to re-open with precautions in place to protect health. Sweden, meanwhile, saw over 90% of municipalities keep libraries open, and 85% of municipalities even offer extended services. Libraries in the United States Virgin Islands re-opened in late July, but then were forced to close again in August. Libraries in the Czech Republic have, in the face of rising case-numbers, moved to cancel events again until the end of October.

Meanwhile, school libraries in 34 countries will have been affected by the closure of all educational institutions, while in others, at least some schools have been closed, according to figures from UNESCO. In many of these, university libraries are also closed.

National libraries too have closed to the public in Albania, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Malawi, the Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Ukraine (Vernadsky), the United States of America, and Uruguay.

National libraries in Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Canada, the Cayman Islands, China, the Cook Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, the Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, the Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine (Yaroslav the Wise), the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam have now re-opened on a limited basis. Some have re-opened and subsequently closed, in response to wider developments, such as was the case with Albania.

We welcome updates to this information at updates@ifla.org.

Managing different approaches to restrictions

Libraries in different parts of the world are facing very different situations, from broadly maintaining a full service to complete closure.

Drawing on experience around the world, libraries and librarians are finding themselves in one of a number of situations:

Business (more or less) as usual: in some countries, cases of the virus have been limited and governments have not taken any specific measures. Nonetheless, normal recommendations around good hygiene apply. In this situation, libraries are, for example:

Ensuring access to soap and warm water

Ensuring they have a supply of hand sanitiser

Keeping surfaces clean, including toys and library computers

Ensuring that staff and users are encouraged to take time to recover if they are feeling ill, rather than coming in to work

Providing pages with useful links to reliable information for users on their websites and promoting media literacy faced with potential misinformation online.

Some restrictions: there are more cases, and governments are beginning to act in order to limit larger events, as well as actively encouraging people to take extra measures to protect hygiene. In this situation, libraries are, for example:

Reconsidering programming such as storytimes or workshops, especially for groups at risk such as older users. Additional efforts to ensure hygiene, including through disinfecting hard surfaces. Removing riskier items such as toys or virtual reality headsets from circulation.

Considering whether to close study spaces where people may spend a longer time in the company of others.

Preparing for potential further restrictions, for example by ensuring that all staff have the skills and tools to work remotely (if this is possible) and that services, as far as possible, can still be provided digitally.

Minimal service: in many countries there are stricter measures still, with tougher limits on public gatherings, specific warnings for people at risk, and closures in the most affected regions. In these situations, libraries are, for example:

Fully closing spaces and only offering the possibility to borrow or return books at a counter, or via a book drop. Some countries are experimenting with drive-through pick-up and return of books. Others are only allowing visitors who have pre-booked.

Implementing quarantine policies on returned books (see below for further details).

Implementing plans to offer remote services for example eLending, eLearning, or support to remote teaching

Finalising and testing measures for all staff to work remotely and allowing those who can to do so already.

Full closure: where measures are strictest, libraries have either been forced to close, or have chosen to do so following consideration of the risks to users and staff. In these situations, libraries are, for example:

Ensuring that all staff working from home unless completely necessary. Where staff are coming into work, ensuring that they can do so while respecting rules around social distancing

Librarians are being reassigned to other duties in other departments within their municipalities, for example using information management skills to support health and social services

Providing ongoing communication with users about opportunities to use library resources or services

Organising digital story-times where copyright permits

Promoting use of digital libraries and other tools - including potentially investing in more content/licences

Offering an amnesty on borrowed physical books, and increasing the number of eBooks users can borrow

Making library spaces and equipment available for other activities, such as printing personal protective equipment.

Raising awareness of digital offers, both on the front pages of their websites, and through putting up posters in the windows of library buildings.

Preparing for re-opening: in a number of countries, there are already steps towards lifting restrictions, at least partially, with libraries potentially part of this. Timings remains uncertain, and clearly safety should be a priority. In this situation, libraries are:

Starting to make plans for gradual reopening when rules, permissions and library buildings and resources themselves permit this to happen safely, and making necessary changes to library policies. Carrying out a risk assessment, focused both on library activities and the wider situation, can be a key part of this.

Setting limits on numbers of people using the library at any one time, and establishing how to enforce these (for example through advanced booking, ticketing, or using other means of counting numbers of users), as well as preventing situations where people may gather closely together, for example using one-way systems, limiting furniture, keeping reading rooms closed, or continuing to postpone programming, and keeping toilets closed

Implementing regular cleaning processes (including through short closures of the library), especially focused on surfaces where the virus appears to be able to last for longest (plastics, metals other than copper), or at least intensifying clearning

Developing click-and-collect or drive-through services in order to allow access to books without human contact

Developing protocols for how to respond if someone with symptoms is identified in the library

Ensuring that staff have the equipment and training necessary to stay safe, including consideration of screens if necessary, limiting contact as far as possible and enabling work from home for as long as possible, and provide regular updates

Making clear when it is impossible to open safely, and otherwise ensuring that those taking decisions understand the nature of library spaces, including through a gradual approach to resuming services only when each one is safe

Continuing to promote online services and resources in order to limit numbers looking to visit the library

Communicate clearly about all any new rules to library users, both online and onsite, and provide regular updates

Ensuring that plans are in place for a potential return to lock-down in case of new peaks in infection rates

Please see the section on re-opening libraries below for more information on this topic.

Staying safe at home and at work

In the light of the above, the WHO recommends in general that people should practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow, or a tissue that they immediately throw away). People should also wash their hands or use an alcohol-based rub frequently, and not touch their faces, as well as maintaining distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Known COVID-19 hotspots should be avoided, especially if you, or those you live with, are older or otherwise vulnerable (for example, you or they have diabetes, heart or lung disease).

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should self-isolate and contact their medical provider or a COVID-19 information line for advice on testing and referral. People with fever, cough or difficulty breathing should call their doctor and seek medical attention.

There are many more resources available on the WHO website. Furthermore, in precedence to the information given below, we encourage libraries to seek advice from your national public health agency, and of course to follow the guidance that already exists. Where libraries form part of wider institutions - such as universities or schools - it is desirable that they are involved in planning and management of crisis response, as has for example been the case at the Duque do Caixas campus of the Federal Library of Rio de Janeiro.

Handling materials

A key question for many in the library field has been around the risk of infection through contact with materials carrying coronavirus. Clearly our understanding of any aspect of how the virus is spread is still at a relatively early stage, and so it is not possible to offer definitive advice, other than the universal recommendations on keeping hands clean and not touching faces.

There is nonetheless emerging research (in the New England Journal of Medicine, and the Journal of Hospital Infection) into the survival of the virus, both in the air and on different types of surface. It appears that it survives for longer on plastics and steel, and for less long on cardboard or copper, although these tests took place in laboratory conditions and infection risk does fall over time.

Outside of the library field - for example in postal services - ordinary precautions appear to apply when handling paper or cardboard. What does seem more likely is that other surfaces - such as door handles, keyboards, mice, CDs and DVDs, toys or VR headsets - could carry the virus, and so should be regularly cleaned or removed from circulation.

Nonetheless, where there is a chance that a book or other piece of equipment has been in close contact with someone ill, it may be appropriate to wait or use safe cleaning practices. The general recommendation remains to take care - a point also echoed by the French government.

In order to provide as best as possible a response to the uncertainty that still exists, the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the United States has set up REALM (Re-opening Archives, Libraries and Museums), a partnership with OCLC and the Battelle Institute to explore further how to ensure safe handling, to which IFLA is contributing. This will look to assess the risks around particular materials and services, with a view to helping libraries make choices as they decide how to re-open and resume services.

The project has now published a first key output - a review of the available literature. This looks across research papers, both those which have and have not been subject to peer review yet, and coming from a variety of fields. It looks at evidence on transmission through the air and through proximity to those with the virus, on the virus' survival on different surfaces, and at the effectiveness of different approaches to cleaning. While this material will be helpful for those developing strategies, the authors are clear that research is still at an early stage, and evidence is coming from a wide range of different contexts.

The REALM project has also published the listen in to the webinar that took place on plan for testing the survival of the virus on different materials and surfaces, as well as a systematic review of the available literature. The first results from laboratory tests have also been released, underlining that after three days of quarantine, virus could not be detected on previously contaminated hardback and softback books, or on papers inside books, plastic covers and DVD covers. The second set of results focus on a new range set of materials is already being tested, including braille, glossy and magazine pages, children's board books and archival folders, and a third looking at plastics used for audiobooks, video or music, talking book or USB cassettes, acrylic display cases or partitions, plastic storage bags and plastic storage boxes. The materials to be tested in a fourth round - this time stacked together - has also been announced, and will cover DVD and CD cases, hardcover books, softcover books, plastic-coated books, and expanded polyethylene foam. This has found that the virus does indeed last longer in these situations. A fifth round of testing will focus on museums more commonly found in museums, although will also include leather book bindings. You can sign up for updates from the project via its newsletter, and 8 October..

Meanwhile, Libraries Ireland initially produced guidelines suggesting a 72h wait, at least in the case of materials which have been returned or handled since the start of lock-down, and proposed procedures for deliveries. The Australian Library and Information Association - based on government advice - has suggested that 24 hours is enough, an approach also adopted by the Library at the Duque do Caixas campus of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and libraries in Egypt, who are using sunlight to facilitate disinfection. The Czech government has suggested 48 hours should be enough, while Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and the All-Russian Library of Foreign Literature are opting for 72h, Slovakia for five days, Argentina for two weeks, and France and the Kaslik Holy Spirit University in Lebanon for 10 days in the case of plastic-coated materials (72h for paper). Some, such as the Italian Ministry of Culture, Andalusian Library Association, the libraries of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the Slovenian public health agency are suggesting longer still, although in the case of the Italian guidance, this has been questioned by the Italian Library Association. Similarly, the effects of quarantine on the possibility for students to access textbooks is becoming a concern in some US universities. A number of countries also note that spaces for consulting works should be easily cleaned.

Some of this guidance is now being relaxed, on the basis both of emerging evidence and in the light of reduced rates of prevalence of the virus. For example, quarantining is no longer mandatory in Flanders, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia, while in France, times have been reduced.

For materials with plastic covers, such as DVDs, cleaning with alcohol wipes has been suggested by the Australian Library and Information Association and others, allowing these to go back into circulation immediately. There are differing approaches to the merits of cleaning books, with the Austrian guidance suggesting that heat treatment will work, while others suggest that there may be risk to materials, and so quarantine is safer.

Meanwhile, the libraries of National Autonomous University of Mexico underline that books should not be kept in plastic bags. They have also set out a detailed protocol on how to manage returned or other incoming books to the library through a system of colour-coded zones associated with different activities.

Where users are working with course materials, the Dutch libraries authorities have recommended reducing risk and logistical issues by encouraging users to take these home (and to come with their own paper and pens), rather than leaving them at the library.

The Dutch library authorities has suggested, where this is possible, that mice and keyboards should be detached after use and returned to a central point in order to facilitate this process. Others, such as in Helsingborg, Sweden and Topeka, Kansas, plan to ensure presence of library staff to disinfect computers after use. The Danish guidance continues to warn against allowing public use of computers, given potential complexities in cleaning.

When handling newly returned materials, the Australian Library and Information Association (see link in the re-opening libraries section) recommends using gloves when handling newly returned books, and then throwing the gloves away immediately afterwards. Others have suggested though that gloves can also damage materials in some cases, and that regular hand-washing may also work. The French government guidance, for example, does not suggest gloves, but rather cotton overalls which can then be taken off and washed. The Croatian National and University Library (see links below) notes that legal deposit copies should also be treated with care, with the packaging in which they arrived removed carefully and thrown away in special bins.

Once gathered, clearly, the need to store books may cause logistical problems, especially for smaller institutions. French guidance suggests that if a dedicated room cannot be found, specific parts of the library should be used (and kept inaccessible from the public), or even external storage used. Furthermore, they suggest, there should be efforts to limit the number of staff working with such materials, and to provide them with adequate protective equipment. Noting the potential logistical issues that this may entail, some American guidance has noted the potential to use portable storage solutions.

Meanwhile, waste that may be contaminated may be usefully kept separate for a number of days, as the Estonian guidance suggests, in order to limit risks to others.

The Slovenian Public Health Institute (see translation in our section on re-opening libraries below) has also suggested that readers receiving works at home should also look to respect quarantining, waiting a number of days before opening packages, and then, if materials are not made of paper or card, either cleaning them or waiting further. The Czech guidance (see below) also suggests that readers should be made aware of risk, with those wanting to able to leave a book for a few days before using it. In this case, the guidance suggests that borrowing periods can be extended.

Meanwhile, for staff, basic hygiene measures, such as washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, avoiding touching the face, with a number of countries also recommending masks and gloves, at least where these do not harm materials.

Social Distancing and Delivery Services

Given that close physical contact appears to be the primary means of catching the virus, a core response has been 'social distancing' - keeping a safe distance between individuals in order to reduce the risks of the virus passing from one person to another. Coughing, sneezing, and even talking tends to mean that potentially contagious droplets are emitted into the air.

The recommended distance varies from country to country but appears not to be below 1m (3-4ft), and is often more. This may not always be possible. In the United States for example, we have seen libraries proactively ask authorities for closures where they feel that the risk to users and staff is too high.

See our section on reopening libraries below for more on the topic of enforcing social distancing within libraries.

For those libraries which are not yet open, many have maintained a focus on how to provide book deliveries to vulnerable groups and others, while taking full account of the need to safeguard health. We are likely to see such measures continue to be important as libraries re-open. Indeed, in Wuhan, China, library workers prepared library corners for patients. In the case of vulnerable users, as the Czech guidance underlines, utmost care needs to be taken to minimise risk.

For example, Radford College School library in Australia has a click-and-collect service for books, while Lane Cove (also in Australia), Godoy Cruz library in Argentina, The Hague in the Netherlands, and various Portuguese public libraries are doing deliveries, and on Svalbard, the library is working with taxi companies to give access to books, as is Veria Central Public Library in Greece. Around half of Swedish municipalities offer some sort of delivery or pick-up service, and in Denmark, Roskilde library has been proactively contacting previous recipients of home deliveries both to check in, and ask if they want to make reservations, now that this is possible again. The Central Library of Osaka Prefecture in Japan offers deliveries by post. Meanwhile, the State government of Western Australia has provided guidance on safe home deliveries. In Ethiopia, according to one news story, libraries are being placed on camels to ensure children in lock-down receive access. See also resources from library associations below for more.

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Providing services remotely

Libraries around the world of all sorts have been working hard to provide access to collections and services remotely, often investing time and effort in updating websites and computer systems in order to deal with demand. While many libraries already had a strong digital presence, many others have now moved to create one in order to continue serving members, such as the library at Al Iraqi University in Iraq. As highlighted in a survey by the Conference of Directors of National Libraries, ¾ of national libraries, for example, introduced new digital servicesservices, while a survey of public libraries in England found the same proportion of them had offered online services.

To take another example, the State Library of New South Wales surveyed public libraries in the state about their online activities during lockdown, finding for example that following physical closures, the share of libraries offering online programming jumped from 12% of respondents to 86%. Meanwhile, La Vanguardia in Spain produced a list of 40 ideas for libraries to continue to provide support remotely.

All types of library have promoted their digital services - for example, the Bibliothèque nationale de France is organising virtual exhibitions and other learning tools (especially over the summer months), and the National Library of Spain is promoting its digital content that can be used to support education, the US Library of Congress's Folklife Centre is running weekly concerts online, the National Library of Morocco is providing free eBooks, and the Public Library in Aarhus, Denmark, has put its digital content at the front of its website, while the Granby library in Quebec, Canada is highlighting content focused on learning new skills. The National Library and Information Service of Trinidad and Tobago's Heritage Library Division has even used the circumstances of the pandemic to accelerate its shift to providing a digital offer. American libraries too have sought to bring literacy programming online.

Kibera and Nakuru public libraries in Kenya - partners of EIFL's Public Library Innovation Programme - are promoting local language content around COVID-19 through social networks, as well as sharing book recommendations, while the Ghana Library Authority (another EIFL-PLIP partner) is also promoting access to its digital content alongside key health information. Kota public library in India too has increased its online services, promoting bibliotherapy as a means of helping users through the crisis, and receiving useful coverage in the local press.

School libraries in the United States are also working hard to provide materials in a format that allows parents to support their children's education at home. The Portuguese Network of School Libraries has produced a guide and a platform for school libraries, highlighting ways in which they can continue to fulfil their missions and suggesting tools and materials, even during the period of lockdown. In Uruguay too, school libraries have launched an online platform to continue to support reading among adolescents, while in Brazil, the library at the Marista Social School Santa Monica is working closely with teachers and through Microsoft Teams to engage with pupils to support learning, despite collections being unavailable.Those in Lakewood, Ohio, United States have even created a virtual library in order to bring back the feeling of coming in to check out a book. READ Bhutan has developed materials to support parents and children, working closely with schools and even broadcasting content. They have also been working to create alternative learning spaces if schools cannot re-open as planned. Across the United States, school libraries are having to adapt practices, with some allowing access, others making deliveries following online browsing, and some welcoming students in, but with a focus on digital skills in case lockdown measures are reintroduced.

Meanwhile in Iraq, the Al-Abbas Holy Shrine library is providing a remote lending service for researchers giving access to electronic resources. Meanwhile, health libraries are seeing major interest in the information they can make available, as is the case for the library of the Health Agency in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Redwood City in the U.S. and Monash in Australia are providing storytimes for speakers of minority languages also, for example, while a librarian from the National Library of Pozega in Serbia is doing online storytimes that have hit the national news, while the Central Library of Osaka Prefecture, Japan is working with the institute for children's literature based in the same building (which itself works with publishers) to do the same. Similar efforts in Greece have also allowed libraries to stay in touch with their users, and even to run art projects. The Library of the National Autonomous Library of Mexico has organised a virtual party of readings for World Children's Day ( here and here), while American libraries, including the Library of Congress, have brought literature festivals online.

Clearly not all users are already familiar with digital tools. Libraries in Huesca, Spain, have responded by developing new training materials for users to help them make the most of these possibilities. Similarly, the Central Library at the University of Baghdad has launched training to help students make best use of digital tools available to them, while libraries in London, UK, have offered virtual IT training, in order to help people use sites and services other than Zoom.

Traditional efforts by libraries to produce collections of books and materials on topical issues have continued, with a strong focus on dealing with stress and worry, and promoting positive mental health, not least the National Library of Medicine in the United States. In Helsingborg, Sweden, the library has even brought in public health experts to offer talks for users, while the Chinese library field has placed a strong focus on spreading wellbeing and helping people respond to pressures, not least in Hubei Province.

Others are putting existing activities online and inventing new ones. The Library of Congress for example is organising a virtual transcribathon in order to engage people at distance, while the National Library of Norway us encouraging users to access its podcasts while in-person events are not possible. The Dutch National Library has teamed up with a writers' organisation to provide an 'author on your screen' service, while librarians in the United States have been able to use GoogleForms to create themed virtual escape rooms, many of which have been taken up and used by teachers to support education. A range of library crowd-sourcing initiatives is available via Library Journal.

Some public libraries have also worked to develop new possibilities to be in contact with librarians remotely. Danish libraries have set up an online Ask-a-Librarian reference service - and Aarhus has a service just for children. In Sweden, Helsingborg libraries have established a chat function on their website for the first time, as have many libraries in Malaysia. Johannesburg public libraries in South Africa are running video competitions to encourage young users to share digital skills with parents and grandparents, as well as to develop their own digital literacy abilities, and sharing the results on their Facebook page.

Similarly in academic libraries, there are efforts to provide remote access, for example through an online article request service at the East West University in Bangladesh, digital contacts at the Agricultural University Library of Colombia and the Veracruz University in Mexico, or through call-in hours at Rhodes University, South Africa. The library of the University of Malaya is developing tools to facilitate online discovery and evidence retrieval about the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing a poster to explain its work, and has set up a COVID-19 Evidence Retrieval Service to support doctors around the country answer questions. Meanwhile Abgu Papazian University library in Armenia has set up opportunities to contact librarians remotely, as has the Central Library of the Al Ameed University in Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Nahrain University Library in Iraq has expanded subscriptions to the national virtual library to ensure students can access this, alongside published theses, as has the Central Library of Wasit University and the El Alamein University library, Iraq, alongside making other titles available. Diyala University and Imam Al-Kadhum College Central Library, Iraq, like others, are making use of email to provide access to resources and respond to questions from students as well as through a messaging service. Rabindra Sadhan Girls' College, Assam, India, is doing the same, but through WhatsApp groups, given that these can work better on phones. Finally, Al-rawdha-Al-haydari Library in Iraq has been making more use of its website in order to promote electronic resources, as has Diyala University, Iraq, building new interfaces for access to materials.

In many countries, libraries' offer of free WiFi to users is a key part of their offer. In the United States, there has been a call on libraries to leave networks on so that users can access the internet from their cars if needs be. In Topeka County, in the US, bookmobiles equipped with WiFi routers are visiting communities with low connectivity. Elsewhere, tools such as TV White Space - a technology that uses parts of the radio-spectrum not used by other services to provide WiFi at distance - are operating through libraries to connect the unconnected. This can make a major difference for those who need the internet, for example, to learn. Others are offering access to Zoom subscriptions in order to help library users stay in touch with friends. In doing this, some libraries have had to deal with concerns around public access to subsidised WiFi (although the American Library Association has successfully lobbied for such restrictions to be lifted for now), or around public health concerns with people gathering in car parks.

The role of libraries as guardians of the historical record is as strong as ever. A post from Ithaka S+R highlights various initiatives to collect and preserve materials about the pandemic, while the International Internet Preservation Consortium is looking to coordinate efforts. Meanwhile, Columbia University has launched an archiving programme, as has the National Library of Spain, while Kingport Library in Tennessee, and Springfield County Libraries in Illinois, in the United States and the State Library of Victoria in Australia have asked members of the community to share their COVID-19 stories, and libraries in Huesca, Spain, for example, are encouraging children to write stories about their experiences, which at the same time helps them cope with the pressure they are feeling. The Association of Librarians and Archivists of Cameroon is working with the Bamenda University and the Ministry of Culture to coordinate archiving efforts in the country in order to preserve the lessons of the present.

Finally, the work of libraries to support research of course continues, with the Information Science department at the University of Kuwait for example helping to lead research into the way in which information spreads on social media concerning COVID-19.

With so many services on offer, libraries in a number of countries have been able to work with newspapers, radio stations and other communications channels in order to raise awareness.

Some activities and services may be impossible, for example with staff unable to come to work to carry out preservation activities. In response, the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material has prepared a guide, as has the French Association of Heritage Libraries.

Available resources

Clearly the possibility to use resources online depends a lot on the terms under which they are accessed. Fortunately, a lot of publishers and vendors have taken helpful initiatives. In the academic field, many have provided open access to materials related to COVID-19. Others have facilitated access by making it easier to log-in and access materials from outside of official networks.

Sometimes, libraries themselves have been able to provide much wider access, as has been the case with the National Library and Archives of Iran, which not only put the national children's library of 28 000 titles online for free, but also to open up its own Digital Library, which previously had only offered bibliographic data. They have seen a sevenfold increase in registered users, and more than doubled time for online consultations with researchers. The National Library of Albania also has focused strongly on building its offer of online materials, while the Central Library of Al Qadisiyah library in Iraq has made a range of materials in Arabic and English available online for free for the benefit of students.

With the first round of steps taken by publishers now lapsing, the need for longer-term solutions is pressing. As set out by Research Libraries UK, price freezes may not be enough at a time of falling budgets, and there are questions around the operation of markets for eBooks and eTextbooks.

Finally, and faced with the need to invest in new content and services in order to support users, the American Library Association has successfully argued for libraries to be included in the economic stimulus package announced by the government there. In addition, some library funders such as IMLS in the United States are offering grantees extra flexibility where it has been impossible to continue with previous projects because of COVID-19. In Barcelona, Quebec and Milan, Italy, we have seen library acquisition budgets increased as a means both of supporting local bookshops and building library collections.

Managing remote working

With libraries and library associations closing offices - where they have them - many in the library field are facing challenges around how to manage remote working effectively.

Reassigning library resources

Across the United Kingdom, there are lots of examples of librarians moving to work at contact centres for people in isolation, helping to ensure those often at most risk keep contact with the outside world, with the same happening in Auckland, New Zealand and Newmarket, Canada. Elsewhere, librarians have volunteered with community initiatives, or, as in Mexico, are working to improve the quality of Wikipedia articles about people from under-represented groups. A further list of types of redeployment at work in England is available Public Libraries News. At the local level, in Nepal, READ library centres have proved to be the best placed to gather and share information about the local situation in order to ensure the government can best respond.

Richland is also looking to provide key resources for people facing unemployment, as is Indianapolis Public Library. St Louis County Library is offering drive-thru meals for children, as is the Cincinnati Public Library and some Toronto Public Libraries are now acting as food banks. Libraries in Yarra, Australia, as well as in Monash, Australia, are supporting food deliveries to vulnerable families and people experiencing homelessness, while READ centres in South Asia are providing food rations, alongside masks and continuing to support vaccination efforts, as well, for example, as ambulance services in Nepal. Toronto Public Library, meanwhile, has joined in the city's annual Newcomers Day in order to make migrants, refugees and other new Torontonians feel welcome, and access information and services, while READ centres in Nepal have provided support to stranded migrant workers.

Meanwhile school libraries in Oklahoma City are handing out books to children - as are some state libraries in Malaysia for the benefit of children in quarantine - while the Walloon guidance underlines possibilities to give schools access to library collections, at least until re-opening. Penn State University library is giving laptops and other equipment out to students who would otherwise not be able to continue to study from home, as is the library of the UPM Higher Technical School of Engineers in Spain.

Library spaces and equipment have also been repurposed, with libraries in San Francisco serving as childcare facilities for the children of key workers and Loussac Library in Anchorage, Alaska serving as an emergency coordination centre, while in Spokane, Oregon, the library is acting as a homeless shelter, and in San Luis Obispo, California, the library carpark is being made available as a safe space for people forced to live in their cars. In Oakland, California, bookdrops are being used now to collect spare masks. In Kansas City, the library is serving as a testing centre for COVID-19.

In Klaipedia, Lithuania, thanks to a cooperation between the National Library and the School of Robotics, library 3D printers are being used to print 3D protective equipment and items such as door-handles. Libraries in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, France, Malaysia and Portugal are doing likewise, while Columbia University is sharing approved designs for these so that anyone with a 3D printer can help. Preservation departments in American libraries are donating existing equipment. In Valpattanam GP Library, India, staff have been collecting cloth masks made by locals for further distribution.

This is not to forget books! The State Library of Western Australia's offer of 'mystery boxes' of library materials was rapidly over-subscribed, and Kansas City Library in the U.S. has been delivering bags of books to deprived areas. Similarly, in Montevideo, Uruguay, public libraries have set up an itinerant book service, visiting in particular soup kitchens and other places where it is possible to lend works to people in need.

Reopening Libraries

Moves towards the reopening of libraries are increasingly on the agenda as countries look to lift broader restrictions. In the case of schools, sometimes the library remains closed, even if lessons have begun again (the case in Logumkloster, Denmark). Decisions will of course need to be based on overall assessments of risk from the authorities. The Japanese Library Association's guidance suggests a four-stage process, for example, analysing risks from surfaces, close contacts with people, the ways in which people use the libraries, and overall levels of infection in the region. The guidance from Libraries Connected in the UK also includes a deep look at how to assess risks.

Most examples so far focus on a phased approach, with new services, activities and parts of the library only resumed when this can happen safely, with some associating the shift from one phase to the next to wider progress in tackling the pandemic, while others are more cautious in setting dates. As the Australian Library and Information Association has set out (see below), a useful approach is to start by assessing risk, then developing plans, and only then setting timings for resuming different services. It may also be the case, of course, that partner organisations are not yet open, which will also have an impact.

Broadly, the library field has warned against any rush to re-open physical buildings. Even if other services or buildings are re-opening, the specific nature of library services may make them unsuited to re-open until the situation has improved further, as set out in the Flemish (Belgian) guidance of 9 June. There have already been cases of libraries needing to re-close following re-opening before overall levels of virus in the community and procedures were in place. Similarly, a resurgence of the virus has already led, for example, to the closure of all but contactless book loans in Quebec, Canada.

Furthermore, given uncertainty about how the situation will develop, it is possible that stricter rules will need to be implemented subsequently, and so the possibility of returning to lock-down should be borne in mind (indeed, West Virginia recommends continuing to work from home one day a week so that the habit is not lost). At the end of this section, you will find a selection of plans already established.

Limiting numbers in the library

One step being taken to reduce risks is to limit the number of people in the library at any one time. This makes it easier to maintain social distance. In Macao (China), the public libraries are using a ticketing system to limit numbers in the library, a step also taken in Hong Kong (China) during a recent phase of re-opening. The The National Library of Serbia in its first phase of re-opening allowed only 5 people into its reading room, while some school libraries in Geneva, where they have opened, are letting just one pupil in at a time.

The National Library of Croatia has set a 200 person limit, with an app available to allow people wanting to use the library to see if there are spaces available, and the Russian State Library also planning to set a limit of 100-150 people, also by appointment. Meanwhile, in Guangzhou, China, figures have been set as a percentage of normal user numbers. In Poland, at least early on, the National Library's efforts to limit numbers were helped by people's ongoing caution about going outside, meaning that it was possible to avoid imposing restrictions.

Tokyo Main Library (part of the National Diet Library of Japan) is limiting access to previously registered researchers, rather than handing out day passes for the moment, as has the National Library of France in its first phase of re-opening. Similarly, the National Library of Ireland only plans to start issuing in-person reader passes from 20 July.

For the National Library of Luxembourg, the number of people admitted to the library will also be increased as the threat level falls.In order to allow more people to access the library, people can only make up to 3 reservations a week, subject to availability of space, and also limit the number of books that can be pre-ordered to 10 for any one visit. The Library has also set out how many items of different types of collections can be reserved at any one time.

The focus on encouraging (or obliging) pre-ordering of materials is a common theme, in order to allow libraries (including national libraries) to be ready for when readers are there, and so avoid waiting or last-minute searches, as for example in Ireland, which will even deliver books to a pre-allocated desk.

The Dutch library system has recommended providing baskets or bags (which act as 'entry tokens', making it easy to count up to a maximum number of people - see the links below), others have suggested other means which involve less disinfection. The Dutch have also suggested that groups of no more than two people at any one time can enter the library, as have the Estonians, who suggest a 2+2 rule with groups of no more than two people, at least 2m apart. The State Library of Liechtenstein proposes to use an automatic system, with 'stop' and 'go' signs depending on whether there is enough space in the library.

Given that numbers wanting to use the library may be unpredictable (from smaller numbers in one Finnish example at first to rapid over-subscription in Shizuoka/Namazu in Japan), others are discussing options to book visits in advance in order to manage the number of people coming to the library at any one time - a practice already implemented by the German National Library and the National Library of China. Similarly, other library services - such as printing, scanning or other support - can also be made appointment-only, as is proposed in West Virginia, or digital printing from mobile devices is encouraged, as at the National Library of Portugal.

In order to allow more people the opportunity to visit, the Czech Library Council has suggested that one option could also be to limit time in the library, a point echoed by other guidance. Hong Kong (China) also plans to re-open for periods of no more than 1h (followed by short breaks) in order to limit stays, with Shanghai also setting a limit of 1h, as is the National Library of Malta.

Other options considered in Chicago, United States, for example include providing services outside where possible, and limiting certain opening times to particular groups, such as older users (an idea also explored by the Czechs). In Portugal too, the idea of giving priority to vulnerable groups is set out in the official guidance (also in the Libraries Connected guidance in the UK), with the need to help people who do not have home internet access highlighted, both of which points are also highlighted in the Belgian guidance. Utrecht Libraries in the Netherlands have identified 'quiet hours' where people in risk groups can safely use the library for reading and learning. Libraries may also need to plan for personal protective equipment when it is necessary to be close to someone in order to assist them, as in Japan. The National Library of Ireland, for example, originally only allowed groups particularly affected by COVID-19 to visit its exhibitions for the first two weeks of opening. Others, such as Qatar National Library, have opted to set minimum and maximum age restrictions, in order to manage risks to both users and staff.

There are also efforts to reduce the need to come to the library. For example, Macao (China) has sought to do this by continuing to extend loan periods and encouraging people to use online services as far as possible (also at the University Library). Hong Kong (China) has also allowed for unlimited renewals and waived fines at its academic libraries, while Guangzhou public library (China) has increased the number of times books can be renewed online.

Calculating the right number is a key current issue. Many libraries have sought to follow the guidance given to the retail sector, although this also varies, from allowing 20m2 per person in Ireland, Portugal and Slovenia to 15m2 in Poland, Slovakia and Belgium, 12.6m ² in the United Kingdom, 10m2 in the Czech Republic and Austria, 10m2 for adults and 5m2 for children in the Netherlands, 15 per 100m2 in Croatia, and 4m2 in Australia, Estonia, France, Latvia, Qatar and Romania, and 3m2 in Mexico. Some of these restrictions have started to be lifted, however, with the Netherlands ending limits on numbers of people in buildings from 1 July, while the National Library of China uses a moving maximum, depending on the wider public health situation.

This may raise issues around privacy, as highlighted by the Japanese Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee. The American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee has indeed produced guidelines around relevant aspects of re-opening, and measures that may be proposed as part of contact-tracing or other elements of pandemic response efforts. Similarly, CILIP in the United Kingdom has prepared an advisory note, underlining that any schemes introduced should not be a deterrent to library use, impact people from marginalised groups or those subject to safeguarding, or damage the right to privacy. Moreover, data should be kept separate from other data collected, be done with sufficient capacity (including to delete data), and offer clarity over volunteers' status.

Limiting concentration of users

A further step being taken by some is to limit the number of sections of the library open to people. Importantly, even if there may be enough space in theory for people to respect social distancing, the use of certain facilities may make this more complicated, as highlighted in the guidance provided by French library associations.

This has been the case in Hong Kong (China), as well as in Macao (China), which has kept a number of areas (children's reading areas, meeting rooms, self-study areas) inaccessible. The Czech Library Council has also recommended potentially limiting services just to loans, at least at first, and some school libraries in Geneva are doing the same. Meanwhile, Dutch libraries are planning to open for use by groups of children, but not at times when the library is open to other users, and with gathering points outside. In Romania, the first spaces to open were ones with access to WiFi, with readers requested to bring their own materials.

Meanwhile, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia is using Libcal and facial recognition technology to do the same, limiting human contact. In Sweden, only one in two public computers can be used, and the length of time allowed on there is restricted. Others have sought to space computers out, for example using different parts of the building for computers in anticipation of demand for use (as in Topeka, Kansas), or will aim to reserve use for those who do not have internet at home (as in Belgium).

There are differing approaches to access to books - some suggest allowing this but recommending not touching books unless users definitely plan to borrow them (as in the Netherlands). Indeed, federal libraries in the United States were almost equally split on the question of providing access to stacks. Most plan to keep shelves inaccessible at first, and only allowing librarians themselves to fetch works (as in Slovenia, Portugal and Russia). The Danish guidance notes the importance of avoiding opening the library without staff, given difficulty in enforcing rules.

Organising events and activities

In those countries where re-opening is more advanced, there are already plans on how to make events possible again. To a large extent, this has been made possible by falls in rates of infection, and, in some areas, a lack of infections altogether.

In Austria, for example, it is already possible to hold events with up to 100 people indoors, and from 1 July, the limit will be increased to 250 people indoors and 500 people outdoors. In these situations, rules about social distancing (1m) continue to apply, except for people living together (groups of up to four), and with an obligation to wear face masks when entering and leaving, as well as during events when it is not possible to maintain distance.

The Slovak guidance also allows for events of up to 100 people, but with 2m distance between people not living in the same household, and also provision of gloves. The Flemish guidance, for now, recommends groups only of up to 20, and only if social distancing can be maintained, with further relaxation planned from 1 July, but big events still forbidden until 1 September. One option, at least where the weather permits, may be to hold events outside where risks are lower, as suggested by the Czech guidance (see below), as well as in the guidance released by the National Library of Poland, although in the latter case, there is still a limit of 150 people.

In organising events, the National Library of Poland guidance stresses the need for full training of staff and volunteers, and rapid planning if someone is found to have symptoms. In line with the Ministry's guidance, safe spacing between participants, careful management of entries and exits. Meanwhile in Myanmar, classes to teach local languages and cooking have started up again, with extra precautions to allow for safety and distance.

As throughout the pandemic, the importance of high standards of hygiene is a key theme, for example ensuring that staff have the possibility to wash their hands frequently, access to materials such as gloves and facemasks, and that hand sanitiser is available at the entrance (and potentially next to equipment such as computers). In particular, regular handwashing by staff continues to be strongly recommended (both before and after contact with materials), as well as the provision of bins for tissues or other potentially contaminated material (pedal bins may be ideal, as suggested by the Flemish guidance). As noted in the Andalusian guidance, it may be necessary to employ more cleaning staff, or to extend hours. They can be supported in identifying the surfaces at most risk, and give these the attention necessary.

For activities that may require more direct contact - such as support with using computers, where this is allowed, best efforts should be made to maintain distance. Kaslik Holy Spirit University in Lebanon has recommended that both the user and staff member in this case should wear masks.

Where this is not possible, some libraries are installing screens in order to protect both users and library and information workers. Similarly, where payments need to be made for services, contactless has been recommended, such as in Switzerland, or charges have simply been scrapped, such as for printing. Nonetheless, it may be important to reflect on how to ensure that this move does not exclude vulnerable groups who may not have access to cards, as highlighted in Canadian guidance. Similarly, the Libraries Connected guidance in the UK sets out equalities considerations for any re-opening plan.

Meanwhile, staff are using stylus pointers to indicate which computers visitors can use in Helsingborg, Sweden, while in Portugal it is recommended to leave doors open as far as possible in order to avoid the need to open them each time.

Additional steps include closing toilets (as in the Czech Republic), restricting their use or intensifying cleaning schedules, closing the library as a whole for short periods throughout the day in order to clean (as in Macao, China, Slovakia, or at the National University Library of Croatia and Qatar National Library), or once for a deep clean (as in Alberta, Canada), and regular cleaning schedules, especially of surfaces which are regularly touched. Users too are being encouraged to play their part, with cleaning materials made available so that they can sanitise surfaces and objects they have touched. It may be useful to carry out an audit of which surfaces are at highest risk, as done by the National Library of China. In some cases, it may be possible to adapt parts of reading rooms in order to permit safe access, as was promoted early on by the National Library of Luxembourg.

Materials that may be touched frequently, such as magazines and newspapers, may need to remain inaccessible until the risk is low enough, or only be accessible to people with gloves and masks (as in some Estonian libraries). Similarly, the Kaslik Holy Spirit University in Lebanon suggests preventing use of manuscripts, rare books and other older material for the time being, while the Flemish guidance suggests that it may be legitimate to focus permissions on the most necessary consultations (for example for legal processes, rather than local history or genealogical study). Public libraries in Shanghai, also, have prioritised in-person access to particular collections, while keeping others online-only for now. It may also be necessary, as the Portuguese guidance explains (see below) to provide extra training for cleaners.

A further question is around how much library users should bring in from outside of the library. The Dutch guidance, for example, suggests that users should bring their own pens and course material for small group activities, and try not to leave it in the library. The CILIP School Libraries Group and UK School Library Association suggests that as far as possible, materials such as coats should stay outside in order to reduce contamination risks.

It may also be worth ensuring that libraries have a plan for how to deal with situations where someone displays symptoms, for example by having relevant phone numbers accessible, and setting aside a room where it is possible to isolate a suspected victim, as set out in the Japanese and Polish guidance, and identify which surfaces may have been contaminated. Similarly, the South African regulations mandate that a relevant space should be identified.

Throughout this, clear communication with users is important, in order to ensure that they understand the rules in place. Where users cannot be expected to understand - for example, children or those with cognitive impairments - alternative approaches may be necessary, as set out in the French guidance.

As time has gone on, libraries in some countries have been able to lift some restrictions, with, for example, libraries in the Czech Republic no longer requiring users to wear face masks or practice social distancing from 1 July.

A further emerging issue is the need to ensure that authorities and experts know how libraries work, and in particular, how much contact they see, in order to avoid assumptions and mistaken recommendations, as has happened in the US.

Keeping Staff Safe

Clearly a priority is to ensure that staff are fit, well, and comfortable in providing services - indeed, this may also be a legal obligation. Ways of doing this include the hygiene measures mentioned above (indeed, the National Library of Poland has suggested that no library should re-open unless librarians can be properly equipped), as well as clear consultation and explanation of decisions and plans, and regular briefings and reminders (as for example in Roskilde, Denmark). The Danish official guidance underlines the need to engage staff associations and unions in re-opening decisions. The National Library of China is in regular contact with staff to ensure that they are healthy and well looked-after, while West Virginia puts a strong emphasis on mental health, and coping with the situation of being around others again. Canadian guidance also underlines the need for special attention to stress, given the uncertainty still faced. Many federal libraries in the United States are planning to bring staff back to work in phases.

As libraries re-open, many are doing so only for limited hours every day, and are allowing staff to work in shifts, as has been recommended by the Czech Library Council, as well as limiting meetings and staggering breaks (as suggested in Poland), only allowing meetings when there is a big enough available space or setting time limits (as in Senegal), or limiting meetings as far as possible or only allowing one member of staff to use kitchens, toilets or common areas at a time, as at the Library of Congress in Argentina. In Helsingborg, Sweden, libraries are timing these to ensure that librarians can avoid rush hours also, and in Portugal, the Directorate General for libraries has recommended staggered shifts. In some cases, staff are being welcomed back at work before libraries are open to the public, as has been in the case in Cologne, Germany, in order to carry out some of the tasks necessary for re-opening to happen safely and efficiently, as well as at the National University Library of Croatia.

Nonetheless, the National Library of China, amongst others, has continued to promote home working as far as possible. Staff are only called to come in if really needed, and then work in shifts to minimise contact, ensuring that no more than 25% of the usual number of personnel are at work at any one time. The National Library of Albania, in its re-opening strategy, passed from having 30% of staff working in the office to 70% in a second phase, while the libraries of Laval, in Canada, have made calculations around the numbers necessary to provide services at different stages.

In Croatia, the guidance is, where possible, to run two shifts, with an hour between them in order to allow for cleaning. In Switzerland, for example, it is suggested that ideally, staff should sit one to an office, and in Cologne, Germany, no more than two, with common areas, for example, transformed into office spaces to provide more room. Cologne is also looking to keep different teams apart by continuing to use digital meeting tools. In Western Australia, it has been suggested that staff should stay with a single computer throughout their shift.

Similar rules will apply for other areas where staff work - for example, the Slovak National Library (see below) has also made suggestions about how to keep use of official vehicles safe. The guidance for Alberta, Canada, suggests also that staff should have their own space or locker to keep their things as a further step to limit risks of infection.

Countries will have their own approaches to the health measures that can be required of staff, although the general recommendation is not to come to work if symptoms are experienced. The National University Library of Croatia suggests that staff should all check their temperature each morning before coming to work. The Library of Congress of Argentina sets out a protocol for how to respond if a member of staff shows symptoms, and the actions for other staff members present to take.

Still, it has been noted in the United Kingdom, for example, that many libraries are also likely to need to work with a reduced staff, given sickness, family obligations, or self-isolation, for some time to come. Volunteers too may not yet be ready to return to work, especially if they are older or have underlying health conditions, which may cause delays to re-opening in some countries (and indeed, West Virginia has suggested they should be the last).

As a result, libraries in a number of countries are running shorter opening times, and looking to increase efforts to promote staff wellbeing, an activity recommended for example in the guidance from Libraries Connected in the UK, alongside a range of other issues to bear in mind in order to ensure safety. In other cases, as mentioned in Andalusia, Spain, there may simply not be enough staff to open safely. The Norwegian guidance indeed suggests that running libraries under restrictions may take more staff than usual, and so it could be helpful that staff placed on temporary assignment elsewhere should return.

Overall, as the Portuguese guidance states, a key way to keep staff safe is to keep them informed, in particular when guidance changes. This will also leave them better placed to help users respect the rules too.

Handling Materials

Please see the section above.

Public Communication

Given current uncertainty, and often the complexity of the process of lifting restrictions, libraries planning for this have also tended to include a focus on communications - indeed, this is part of the recommendations set out by the German Library Association (see below). As the Australian guidance notes, there may indeed be more questions than usual from users unsure about what is possible or not. The Canadian guidelines echo this, stressing the need to explain the changes to services, and to help users adjust to the fact that things may not be the same as before.

Channels outside of those owned by libraries can also help, for example using local radio stations or TV, or posters, as in the Guangzhou metro.

Supporting the recovery

Even as they have to deal with new clusters of COVID-19 cases, governments around the world are also working to deal with the consequences of the pandemic. These are particularly challenging when it comes to issues such as education (where as UNICEF has reported, at least a third of schoolchildren worldwide have been completely cut off from remote learning possibilities) and employment, where people risk being left behind.

For example, articles and other materials are beginning to appear underlining the role that school libraries can play in closing literacy gaps, or that public libraries can play in helping people overcome the trauma of the pandemic.

Library associations have started to bring these arguments together in order better to support library advocacy. For example, Libraries Connected in the United Kingdom has produced resources showing how libraries respond to key individual and community needs.

Plans for re-opening around the world

Below are some examples of plans emerging. You can also consult the overview prepared by IFLA dated 6 June. See also the overview from Ithaka S+R of plans for re-opening in the autumn term among American university libraries

Argentina: the Library of Congress of Argentina has published its protocol for safe re-opening in an English version, including useful infographics for use with staff and users.

Australia: the Australian Library and Information Association has provided a useful checklist, setting out steps to take around communication, social distancing, safety precautions, staff support, community support and operations.

Austria: the library association has developed guidance on how to re-open safely, drawing on international experience and practice.

Belgium: the Flemish Library Association has produced a page on re-opening, drawing together relevant information from a range of sources into a set of guidance ( translated into English by IFLA). This has been updated as of 9 June ( Dutch, translated into English by IFLA). Meanwhile, the government of French-speaking Belgium has published a circular ( translated into English by IFLA), and the library association has developed an infographic for use in libraries to help inform visitors. There is also guidance for adult education (which also applies to libraries).

Colombia: the National Library of Colombia has produced an infographic setting out the process to be followed towards the re-opening of libraries, helping the library community to understand the decisions to be taken, and the conditions that must be fulfilled for this

China: A number of details about the process followed for the re-opening of libraries in China are available in the article published by IFLA's Asia-Oceania Section.

France: library associations in France have collectively produced a statement to government warning about premature opening of libraries, and guidance ( translated into English by IFLA) on what services may be offered at different stages of the lifting of restrictions, and how to minimise risk. The government has also issued guidance (dated 4 June, translated into English by IFLA). Further guidance was published on 21 September, reflecting further possibilities for events, including making toys available for children (if regularly cleaned). There is also an infographic to explain the phases. The National Library of France has also published instructions to visitors on its re-opening plans on its website.

Further insights are available in the Hong Kong (China): the Hong Kong Library Association has shared information about plans for re-opening in academic libraries. Information about plans for public libraries is available on the Hong Kong Public Library website. article prepared for IFLA's Asia-Oceania Section.

Hungary: the Hungarian Library Institute has produced an overview of efforts on re-opening around the world.

Iran: the Iranian Public Library Federation has published guidance for libraries which are starting to re-open, including suggestions on alternative means of providing services, and care for staff and users.

Ireland: the National Library of Ireland has published its plans for re-opening safely, with visits on appointment since 29 June, and a planned return to normal service from 31 August.

Italy: the Italian Library Association has published a review of the literature and its suggestions for rules to follow as libraries re-open.

Lebanon: the Kaslik Holy Cross University in Lebanon has published its plan for re-opening, including for handling materials, providing services, and for the safety of users and staff.

Liechtenstein: the State Library has set out its instructions for users following its re-opening.

Lithuania: The National Library of Lithuania has set out its guidance for visitors following re-opening.

Luxembourg: the National Library has set out its own five-stage plan for re-opening on its website.

Malaysia: Some details on processes followed for re-opening feature in the article prepared by Malaysian librarians for IFLA's Asia-Oceania Section.

Malta: the National Library has published its regulations for use of its two sites, highlighting a requirement to wear masks throughout, and limited access to equipment.

Saudi Arabia: The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has published instructions to users for its re-opening, including, at first, limiting access to graduate and post-doctoral students and staff, and forbidding meetings and other gatherings.

Senegal: The Cheijk Anta Diop University Library in Dakar has set out its own plans, in coordination with those for the university as a whole, including restrictions on services and numbers of users, and encouragement to use electronic means of communication. Serbia: The National Library has started to re-open, sharing a report about initial steps being made to promote hygiene and limit contact.

South Africa: the South African government has published regulations for re-opening libraries, underlining in particular maximum capacities (30% for reading rooms, 10% for computer areas) and the need for distancing and spaces for symptomatic cases.

Switzerland: the Library Association has produced guidelines complementing broader information produced for all establishments. IFLA has provided an English translation of these.

Trinidad and Tobago: the National Library and Information Service has published a short overview of its plans, including rules on wearing masks, and when ISBN services can re-open.

United Kingdom: the CILIP page on COVID-19 includes resources to help prepare for re-opening as a formal plan is developed with the relevant government departments, with suggestions already posted for school libraries. The page includes suggested checklists for school libraries to use before opening. CILIP has also already sent a letter to employers highlighting the need to assess and minimise risks before re-opening. Libraries Connected has also now produced detailed guidance aimed at library directors, considering risk-assessment, who should come to work, social distancing for workers, keeping users safe, cleaning the workplace, personal protective equipment, workforce management, and inbound and outbound books and other goods. Libraries Connected is tracking the experience of libraries as they re-open, and has also prepared an advocacy resource pack for libraries in order to help members engage with local government in order to safeguard essential funding and so continue to offer services, as has Libraries Connected in the public library sector.

restrictions, as has United States: The American Library Association has brought together a wide range of resources on re-opening on its website, including plans and other materials. At the state level, New Mexico State Library in the United States has set out plans for a phased re-opening, and a table and comprehensive blog from Idaho looks at what the stages of lifting restrictions could look like in libraries with lots of helpful ideas. Public libraries in the state of Georgia in the United States have also published a sample plan for libraries in taking decisions about staffing and services in different phases of the lifting of West Virginia and Indiana. The State Library of Montana has shared three examples ( here, here and here). The coordinator for public libraries in Alaska has also set out the issues in a presentation, as has the Colorado Library Consortium, the Connecticut Library Consortium, and the Massachusetts Library Association. The Idaho Commission for Libraries has shared a range of examples of re-opening plans from libraries of different sizes, which may be helpful. There are also specific guides for kerbside pickup from Illinois and Vermont.

Actions by Associations, National Libraries and library partners

Associations and Library Authorities

Library associations themselves are doing great work to inform their members and support them in difficult times. Many have set up pages with lists of reliable sources and guidance at the national level - complementing advice at the global or regional levels - and encouraged communication and coordination between library directors in order to share ideas and practice. Others are providing useful support for planning, both for the management of staff and buildings, and for the development of online services, through useful checklists and courses.

See in particular the following association pages:

Argentina: the Association of Qualified Librarians of the Republic of Argentina (ABGRA) has published a report on the response of libraries to the COVID-19 pandemic (in Spanish). This highlights in particular how important building a profile and providing services over social media became, and the need for national platforms of digital materials.

Australia: Australian Libraries Responding to COVID-19. ALIA has also made its Professional Development Postings freely available for the duration of the crisis, has launched a page of activities continuing during the pandemic, and is preparing a relief fund. ALIA has also published an interim report on libraries' response to COVID-19. With libraries re-opening, ALIA has launched a 'We're back' communications campaign, encouraging users to share what they missed while the library was closed. There are also efforts at the state level to analyse experience so far, for example that carried out in New South Wales, which highlighted both successes and challenges encountered.

Austria: the library association is providing valuable information to libraries about procedures for safe re-opening as well as sharing government advice, and has transformed its teaching activities into eLearning.

Belgium: Libraries and Archives Should Close for Visitors (in Dutch)

Bulgaria: Resources for Librarians in Responding to COVID-19 (in Bulgarian)

Cameroon: the Association of Librarians and Archivists of Cameroon has organised discussions between members using WhatsApp in order to identify future priorities, and is working with the Ministry of Culture and Bamenda University to coordinate archiving efforts around the Pandemic.

Chile: The Chilean Librarians' Association is working with a local NGO to collect stories about access to health information in order to strengthen advocacy in future.

China: The Library Society of China and the National LIbrary have shared a full summary of all of the activities that the association and libraries across China have been undertaking to support communities, from government to citizens.

Colombia: the Association of Colombian Librarians prepared a webinar (in Spanish, working with the IFLA LAC Section) on ideas on how librarians can respond

Croatia: the Croatian Library Association has set up a dedicated page with information on remote services, a data aggregation point on COVID-19 for libraries, access to virtual meeting services and electronic resources.

Czech Republic: the Czech library association has prepared an information page which includes health advice, updates on the government's response, and ideas on how to work with copyrght and privacy laws at the time of the pandemic.

Ghana: Ghana LIbrary Authority is promoting registrations for digital library cards, and has made resources available for libraries and users through its resource page.

Korea (Republic of): Statement on the Coronavirus Situation.

India: both the federal and state library associations have been active offering online training both related to COVID-19 and wider professional development, with the Karnataka state association offering an ongoing series. The National Librarians' Day on 12 August provided an opportunity for further reflection about the future of the field, for example through webinars organised by the Federation of Health Science Library Associations.

Indonesia: the Library Association of Indonesia has carried out a number of initiatives, including digital publications summarising relevant laws and regulations, scientific insights and analysis, rules in place on social gatherings, and a glossary on COVID-19, as well as continuing to support the profession in other ways throughout the pandemic. Iraq: The Iraqi Association of Libraries and Information has organised webinars focused on the role of digital libraries at the time of Coronavirus, as well as on broader digital transformation.

Italy: Where to Find Information (in Italian) offers an overview of national laws, sources of advice, and proposals on how to provide service while protecting privacy and health.

Malaysia: there is an extensive collection of examples of activities undertaken by libraries, and in particular the national library association, during the pandemic, presented on the pages of IFLA's Asia-Oceania section.

Myanmar: The Myanmar Library Association, in a successful cooperative effort, has run an active programme of online training and discussion for members, especially para-professionals, dissemination of information about COVID-19 and how libraries elsewhere are responding, and has developed its own guidance. The Association is also continuing to support a project to develop school libraries across the country.

Nigeria: the Nigerian Library and Information Science Students' Association has organised a series of lectures for its members over a series of days.

Puerto Rico: The Association of Librarians of Puerto Rico has launched a campaign around misinformation about COVID-19 (in Spanish)

Romania: the Association of Romanian Librarians has organised classes, webinars and working sessions to help members deal with the pandemic, as well as starting a public campaign #thelibraryfromhome. The Association has also collected data about libraries and services, while the wider field has supported overall efforts through 3D-printed protective equipment, supporting research, and combatting misinformation.

Serbia: the national library association has chosen to focus the next edition of its journal on the work of librarians during the pandemic.

Spain: the Network of Academic Libraries has prepared a resource page (in Spanish)

United States: The American Library Association has brought together its resources on recovery from COVID-19 onto a single page, including sections on advocacy and policy, education, data and research, and guidance content and protocols. The association's very useful Pandemic Preparedness toolkit is also still available. See also the resources gathered by ALA's Public Programs Office, and the webinar on remote service provision, and in their eBook on disaster preparedness, which has now been made open access. There is also this resource page prepared by the American Association of Law Libraries and the one by the American Association of School Librarians, which includes snapshots of the situation in school libraries and links to other key resources, as well as , the results of the Public Library Association's survey of how public libraries are responding, and this page on pandemic preparedness by the American Association of School Libraries.

Zimbabwe: the Zimbabwe Library Association has shared international experience, as well as looking to set up webinars, as well as to define points for advocacy around access to affordable e-libraries.

Furthermore, the Chinese Library Society has worked with the National Library to provide online learning while the Latvian Library Association has turned its conference into an online event combined with a social media campaign. The National Diet Library of Japan, as part of its support to the profession, has been monitoring and publishing update on the situation, as has saveMLAK (an organisation focused on helping libraries, archives and museums in times of crisis). The School Libraries Network in Portugal has both guidance and a platform to support school librarians in continuing to deliver on their missions, while the Information and Communication faculty at the University of Uruguay has collected examples of what libraries of all types across the country are doing in response to the pandemic

Other associations and organisations are active. CLIR has organised resources on COVID-19 on a special page, while the Association of Research Libraries has analysis of what academic and research libraries in the US and Canada are doing. The African Library and Information Association (AfLIA) is collecting examples of what libraries are doing in Africa and has a page on how libraries can respond plus a resource page, as is Infotecarios in Latin America (working with the Colombian Librarians' Association (ASCOLBI), LIBER for academic libraries in Europe and EBLIDA has developed a checklist of actions members can take. NAPLE in Europe has produced a valuable report highlighting the situation across 20 members as the pandemic arrived and took hold. This has since been updated with a review of measures being taken as libraries work to re-open, covering in particular safety measures and quarantining. READ has shared an overview of what its 107 centres across Bhutan, India and Nepal are doing in response to the pandemic.

The Association of Library and Information Science Educators has also published its own resource page, and the Federation of Health Science Libraries of India has organised webinars looking to the future of libraries post-COVID-19, as has the library at the Panjab University, Chandragarh, India, and the library of Alkafeel University, Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Association for the Promotion of School Documentary Services in Quebec has provided members with tools they can use to ensure that libraries are integrated in plans to provide remote learning, while the Every Library Institute has set up regular chats and an emergency fund to help libraries in difficulty.

National Libraries

In China, for example, the national digital library has been reinforced in order to deal with the increase in demand and has waived fines for borrowed materials which cannot be returned, as well as providing support to libraries and librarians across the country. In Korea, too, the national digital library has seen a major increase in use, and in Malaysia, the National Library has promoted its own digital library strongly on social media. The role of National Library resources in supporting the effort to combat the pandemic has been recognised by the British Library in its own resource page.

Some libraries have been able to negotiate the possibility to give wider access to legal deposit content for researchers and schools in Norway, and for researchers in the Czech Republic (alongside university libraries). Meanwhile, the National Library of Aruba has given access to the first eBooks in Papiamento (the local language), and will for the first time offer a Dutch-language eLending service, also for the first time, alongside working with the Internet Archive to offer a version of the National Emergency Library.

The National Library of Luxembourg, is making it possible to obtain a library card for three months by email, without the usual ID checks, in order to facilitate access, while the National Library of Morocco is maintaining both online inscriptions alongside ISBN and legal deposit services. The National Library of Lithuania is working with the School of Robotics to promote printing of personal protective equipment in public libraries across the country.

National institutions can also play an important role in speaking up for the sector. For example, in the archives field, The National Archives in London, UK, has set out clearly the challenges it worries that COVID-19 will bring to the field.

Library Partners

There have been very welcome moves by publishers, vendors and others working with libraries to facilitate access to content even when library buildings are forced to close. As set out in the statement by the IFLA President and Secretary-General, it is to be hoped that such steps are generalised as we all look to work together to allow learning, research and access to culture to continue.

A key step has been to allow remote access to content which normally would be restricted to on-site users. VitalSource has worked with its publisher partners to broaden access to materials using only an email address to log-in, as has ProQuest through eBook Central and Springer through extended log-in periods and Emerald through remote access possibilities, , while the Journal of the American Medical Association is also allowing for much more off-site access, as are sites such as ancestry.com. Michigan University Press is allowing read (but not download) access to much of its content. Children's publisher Collins in the UK is making content previously limited to on-site access available remotely. There are also positive examples from Latvia and Kenya, and from across the US as the pandemic spread into its second semester.

Some publishers have also been ready to take account of the fact that some libraries may simply not be able to make payments at the moment, for example Bristol University Press.

Like others (for example, APA, EBSCO, Emerald, Frontiers, Springer Nature, Elsevier, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, ZB MED, and MIT Press), SAGE is also concentrating and sharing resources on COVID-19 and managing pandemics through a microsite. The White House has taken a major step to facilitate text and data mining to help find solutions by releasing 29 000 papers for analysis. Emerald is also boosting support for creating and sharing publications around how libraries have responded to the pandemic through making volumes open, and planning thematic issues.

A key question currently will be how long extraordinary measures last. Where these are withdrawn before libraries are able to return to normal operations, there is a risk of harm to library users.

Finally, a key IFLA partner - OCLC - has held a town hall meeting bringing together over a thousand librarians in order to share stories and build understanding of the needs of the profession.

Communicating with users in different languages

IFLA's Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section is working with the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) to develop translated signage and text to support libraries communicating with their linguistically diverse communities, particularly in relation to library closures and accessing online information. These resources are available in MS Word format. Libraries are welcome to adapt and use this content as best meets their needs to communicate with their community. Translations will be made available in more languages as they are developed.

Ongoing issues

IFLA is aware that the pandemic has brought up a number of wider issues which we are following closely. In addition to copyright - mentioned above - there are concerns around the impacts of the crisis on the broader culture, education and research sectors, privacy, and ensuring democratic norms are protected. We continue to monitor these issues closely and will share information and views as appropriate.

IFLA has also highlighted the challenges faced in particular by university libraries in accessing eBooks, and explored where there may be the grounds for a competition investigation. We have signed the ICOLC Statement on resource access and COVID-19, and produced our own set of principles for use by library associations in negotiations with rightholders, as well as principles governments should look to guarantee in order to ensure that the class of 2020 does not end up less well informed than those who have come before. Libraries themselves are speaking out against practices that can limit access, for example restrictive licensing, and the pricing of academic eBooks. IFLA itself has taken part in discussions around the potential of Controlled Digital Lending to provide answers to access challenges during the pandemic.

Through blogs, we have also explored how library values are being affected and potentially put at risk, and how libraries can support freedom of expression.

We have also produced a first blog looking at overall trends that may result from the pandemic, from a variety of policy perspectives, as well as a follow-up piece identifying specific potential advocacy points in the short, medium and longer term, and a set of ideas on how to build advocacy capacity, even while under lockdown. In particular, we have highlighted the importance of preserving the idea of core government funding for libraries so that they can maintain their public focus, and set out five suggestions, based on existing ideas, for how libraries can be included in economic stimulus packages.

IFLA's activities

IFLA's work to strengthen and unite the global library field continues, not just in spite of the COVID-19 Pandemic, but because of it. We are determined to maintain the momentum created by the Global Vision process and the launch of our Strategy last year, and believe strongly that the mission it sets out is as relevant now as it has ever been.

As set out in our FAQs about IFLA and the COVID-19 pandemic, we have already worked hard to ensure that our volunteers and staff can continue their crucial work, and have seen a series of successful mid-term meetings by our Professional Units organised over the past weeks. The above also contains a number of examples of what IFLA is already doing.

Meanwhile, IFLA's Document Delivery and Resource-Sharing Section has launched a new service to support the sharing of resources across borders as a way of relieving some of the disruption caused by the pandemic.

However, this is just the beginning. We are also looking forward to announcing exciting new services and opportunities to build a stronger field powering literate, informed and participatory societies into the future. In this, we will be working closely with our Professional Units - the biggest brains trust in the global library field - in order to help inspire, engage, enable and connect the global library field. We look forward to sharing more.

Last update: 13 October 2020

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​ Last update: 13 October 2020 The information and resources below are provided on a non-exhaustive basis but will be updated regularly. It is based on publicly available information, and that submitted to updates@ifla.org. We welcome additional ideas, references, suggestions and corrections to this address. Please see also our FAQs specifically concerning IFLA.

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The four hubs - Cardiff Central Library, Ely & Caerau Hub, St Mellons Hub and The Powerhouse, Llandedeyrn - have remained open during the coronavirus lockdown for certain services such as money and benefits advice, but have not been dispensing books.

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Coronavirus: Libraries reopen with reserve and collect service

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The four hubs - Cardiff Central Library, Ely & Caerau Hub, St Mellons Hub and The Powerhouse, Llandedeyrn - have remained open during the coronavirus lockdown for certain services such as money and benefits advice, but have not been dispensing books.

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Some ideas from other libraries - induction

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Some ideas from other libraries - induction

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Library video 'tour'
'here's your liaison team & here's how they can help' intro video
Keeping things brief
Virtual escape box game?

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A number of Universities and public libraries are now using "click & collect".
(DD)

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BC Covid 19 Re-opening Phase 1 - Detailed plan Appendix 1 - Delayed Assessment Opening Procedure and Controls
Links in Staff Update 09/06

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If we are to utilise all three self service kiosks in a 'hands free' mode then each will need to be relocated slightly to allow them to be isolated by using a barrier.

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As items will be retrieved by staff from requests at the desk, the items could be issued at the desk to the user which would reduce the need for students to interact with self service kiosks.

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The library should set up an area of the building as a materials isolation zone for those items that may have recently been exposed to the COVID-19 virus:
● This area could be a cleared range of shelving, a series of multiple book carts, or even piles of books on a table.
● Materials should be labelled with dates of when those items entered quarantine and when they are safe to re-shelve.
● Colour-coding or grouping by material type may be useful here.
● Courier carts and bins should also be quarantined.
● Consider amassing or purchasing additional book carts.
(AR)

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Addition of dividers on all tables, can the tables be further apart and have fewer chairs (HC)

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Could perspex screens be erretced at the counter to shield staff from students at the desk (DP)

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We are setting up an online live chat system so students will be able to communicate to us via chat, email, social media or phone (LB)

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This has been produced by architects in consultation with CILIP.
I have saved the document to the G Drive
G:\LIBRARY\Covid-19 Safer Libraries.pdf

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Library recovery toolkit - July 2020 PDF

This Service Recovery Toolkit has been prepared in consultation with Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

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Do we corden off the shelves and ask people to request books which will be brought to the Desk for them. With the ALS office being situated down two of the aisles they may not want students wandering in front of it. (DP)

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Strict limit of one student per study room (HC)

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Make all items reservable, to aid retrieval of items from shelves. Would allow for students to request books from home cutting down time in Library. Reservations may need additional storage space. (HC)

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Could one of the study rooms have a permanent Teams laptop set up?

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Could one of the study rooms have a permanent Teams laptop set up?

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Students who were confident in using Team could communicate with the DL at home if Teams could be loaded each morning by library staff in the building. The room would have to be wiped down after each use. Or could be for appointments only

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| Deliveries

All deliveries are now being directed to InPrint who will check off the order and then bring it to the Reception area at DHB with the rest of the post. The delivery notes have been scanned and emailed to Procurement to find the delivery owner. If Facilities Management know where that owner sits, we have place the item in their office. If not we will contact the member of staff and alert them to a parcel which is on site. These will predominantly be left in the DHB reception and we will organise a parcel collection arrangement as everyone comes back into college.

How does this affect our acquisitions and serials deliveries?

(DD)

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Some ideas from other libraries - lockdown period

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Some ideas from other libraries - lockdown period

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Distanced delivery service for users / pre-paid postage to return items
Online library games
Virtual Reading Challenge

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Library building

There are now a small number of PCs available in the foyer of the Library for those students who may not have computer access otherwise. These are spaced well apart, in line with government advice.

There will also be two multi-functional printers available in this area. You must sanitise your hands before using a computer in this area.

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Could we set the RFID pads up so they can read the chip in a student card? We could achieve contactless issuing as the card and then books could be put on the pad to issue the items.

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BSI Guidesline for safeworking conditions

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BSI Guidesline for safeworking conditions

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The British Standards Insitute has issuedstandard for safe working conditions and these can be found here
https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/topics/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-guidelines/?utm_source=pardot&utm_medium=email&utm_content=version-2&utm_campaign=SM-STAN-PRM-COVID19%2FGuidelines-2005

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BSI Guidesline for safeworking conditions

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BSI Guidesline for safeworking conditions

# data[].attributes.body
The British Standards Insitute has issuedstandard for safe working conditions and these can be found here
https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/topics/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-guidelines/?utm_source=pardot&utm_medium=email&utm_content=version-2&utm_campaign=SM-STAN-PRM-COVID19%2FGuidelines-2005