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Category: COVID-19

March 27, 2020
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Free Webinar Replay: Libraries and COVID-19: Managing Strategies and Stress

Posted in COVID-19, and Professional Development

As communities across the globe work to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, the library’s role as an information resource and community partner is more crucial than ever—whether or not the physical library is closed. In this special episode of AL Live, we’ll be speaking with librarians from communities that have been on the front lines of this crisis. They’ll discuss lessons learned during the initial response and how they are continuing to provide important services as public facilities close and commerce slows. We’ll also speak with mindfulness and mental health experts about how library workers can manage stress and anxiety during this ever-evolving situation and how they can disseminate these strategies to their patrons.  
 
You can view the archive of this event at https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/al-live/ after the event. Attendance for the live event is limited to 1,000 people. We anticipate being at full capacity for the event. If you are unable to join the live event, we will be posting the recording within 24 hours of the live event. We will post the recording to https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/al-live/ as soon as it’s ready.  

 

March 19, 2020
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MLA Recommends that Public Libraries Temporarily Close to Public

Posted in COVID-19

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations by the Provincial and Federal Governments to curtail the spread of the virus, the Manitoba Library Association (MLA) is recommending that public libraries in Manitoba should close to the public.

In respect of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and in response to provincial and federal government pronouncements that public events should be curtailed and that people should exercise ‘social distancing’ to reduce the spread of the virus, and in recognition of the fact that at least 39 public libraries in Manitoba have already decided to close access to the public, MLA  recommends that all public libraries in Manitoba close their physical premises to the public. (motion passed March 19, 2020)

As of March 19, 50 out of 56 public library systems in Manitoba have announced they have or will be imminently closing access to the public. Many of these libraries continue to operate behind closed doors providing services to patrons in relation to eLibraires and other online resources, responding to phone and internet inquiries, updating social media and website, cataloging, and of course cleaning.

MLA has been daily contact with public library administrators and trustees across the Province in respect of ongoing COVID-19 issues. There are many operational issues that will arise with the closures, in particular how public libraries can effectively operate and serve their patrons. MLA is interested in supporting such discussions.

MLA recognizes that public libraries are essential components of their communities, and the decisions to close to the public were difficult decisions by the respective library boards. MLA encourages the continued operation of the libraries, with appropriate safeguards and precautions for staff. To the extent that staff may telework or work from home, it is also encouraged.

MLA encourages every public library to provide an update on its status on its website and Facebook for patrons’ information.