Moonee Valley Covid Chronicles: When the libraries were closed


Brrr! The first day of winter, and it is bitterly cold and wet! But the exciting news is, today Moonee Valley Libraries reopen to the public!

We closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we knew many would miss our services. So we tried to keep things running how we could.

Here's some of what we did while our libraries and return chutes had to be shut:

1. We went online. The internet offered an obvious way to connect and offer some services while our buildings were closed. We've always offered lots of online services, from ebooks to streaming video, but while our branches were closed we added much more. We blogged and podcasted and created book reviews. Online talks were hosted, and lots of storytimes, baby rhymetimes and toddler times were filmed. Australia's Biggest Morning Tea went online too. And we added an extra Tech Help phone line to help people use our online offerings.
 
Storytimes and other childrens' activities online have been a huge hit.
 
2. We embraced postage. Two new services (Library to your Door and Reunite with your Reserves) were introduced to help Moonee Valley residents, particularly the elderly or vulnerable, to have access to items from our collections. Library to your Door is still operating for those over 60 and some with special circumstances. Over 1000 parcels have been sent out!
 
Niddrie Library with a LOT of boxes to pack and post.
 
3. We were flexible. Some staff temporarily took on new roles, not necessarily library related, and pretty much all of us did new things or old things in new ways. We set up desks in our lounge rooms, kitchens or even bedrooms. We learned how to login remotely, take part in online meetings, and training sessions, create new kinds of online content, and how to plan very flexibly for a future in which libraries might be either open or closed. We even brought in a new catalogue system while we were shut, and replaced some old, tired furniture at some branches while they were closed anyway.
 
4. We enjoyed our pets, but missed our people. Some aspects of working from home were nice, liking having pets around, or being able to duck out on lunch break to bring in the washing. Many online meetings featured cute cameos from cats or canines. And the commutes were truly fantastic! But working from home could be lonely too. To begin with when we reopen we're encouraging people's visits to be very short and focused - but it will be great to have our people back!
 
Lulu helps with programs planning
Left: Walt, longs for alone time again.    Right: Raven competing with a laptop for attention
 
5. We worked as a team. Being able to meet online actually made it easier to bring together staff from across our branches. So while it has been a difficult time, one nice outcome has been that while we've been apart in some ways the library team has come together more than ever.
 
How did our libraries being closed affect you? Did you miss us? Did you like the things we've been  doing to stay connected with our communities? 
 
Share your experiences in the comments below, email them to us at librarian@mooneevalley.vic.gov.au or share to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using #MooneeValleyCovidChronicles and #MissedMyLibrary 

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