Essential services are harder to access under COVID-19, Hamilton libraries are here to help
'We have become so aware of the digital divides that exist in our community'
Before COVID-19 the Hamilton Public Library offered thousands of in-person programs for community members, which made it a hub. But the pandemic changed all that — and made it harder for people to access those sometimes essential resources.
As a result, HPL is evolving to meet the needs of those who may be stuck at home, but don't possess the tools to get the information or services they need.
Lisa Radha Weaver is the Director of Collections and Program Development at HPL and she recently spoke with CBC Radio's Day 6.
"The biggest way that libraries have changed during the pandemic is we haven't been able to be a physical space due to Covid restrictions, Weaver said. "Libraries have become a place to come in, grab their books or other items, or use the computers for a short time."
Libraries can serve many different purposes for lots of people. They can be a place to seek refuge, to take the kids, as well as to discover, learn and borrow.
"The biggest piece that's missing right now are our regular programs, our study spaces, and really just a place for members to congregate and learn from each other."
Online pivot highlighted 'digital divide'
The massive shift to virtual services has exposed some inequities among library members, Weaver said.
"We have had to move to virtual programming and we are very conscious that that excludes people who don't have access to the internet," Weaver said.
"While our knitting clubs, book clubs, story-times, podcast clubs, arts and crafts programming, conversation circles have all moved online — there is still that virtual distance between everybody."
"And screens on faces are not the same kind of gatherings that our program rooms used to host with cups of tea on the side, snacks and also just that hand over hand arts and crafts, knitting or in-person conversation," she said.
So, in addition to offering their regular services online, the HPL has also worked to provide more opportunities for those without internet access at home.
"We have become so aware of the digital divides that exist in our community, " Weaver said.
"Whether it was through virtual school, people needing to fill out timesheets, people filling out various government forms...we are the only place that's able to provide that free access to members."
HPL has worked to expand access to free printing for members, which has been used regularly to print homework, time-sheets and government forms.
They also worked with Ontario's attorney general to allow members to attend court virtually using library computers. People are provided computer access in a private room, and can attend their court date online.
And earlier this month, HPL donated 4,500 new books to the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.
Members taking advantage of online services
Normally the local branches would be bustling every day, with people of all ages — but now most services are conducted virtually.
Library members can still request books to pick up at their local branch and on-site computers are still available for use in limited numbers.
Despite the massive shift to online, HPL members haven't abandoned the services.
Last year, digital borrowing made up more than half of overall circulation for HPL. That's double the online access recorded in 2019.
People with a library card are able to access wide-ranging collections of e-books, movies, and online databases. That even includes sites like ancestry, where members can dig into their family roots.
Post-pandemic possibilities
When it comes to the library staff, they're "missing their members as much as members are missing all the services of the library," Weaver said.
In the meantime, staff at HPL are looking for ways to integrate new opportunities and services for when they're allowed to widely reopen to the public.
At the end of the day, the focus for Weaver and the rest of the staff at HPL is to strengthen the connections within society, and support those who feel they've been left on the sidelines.
"Libraries are a place in the community — and sometimes the only place — for some members of our community."
One day Weaver hopes people will "be able to hang out at the library for more than a few minutes and reconnect."
And through that, she believes it will be an opportunity to "rebuild our communities when it's safe."