PANDEMIC HAS CAST A DARK SHADOW OVER NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE'S LIBRARIES

                                                

Sue Wells - 'strange environment' 

THE pandemic has created "whole new ball game" at libraries in North East Lincolnshire.

That is the assessment of Sue Wells, chief executive of Lincs Inspire which now operates the libraries and other services.

For many weeks during spring and summers, the doors were closed, much to the dismay of many for whom browsing or borrowing books - or using the computers - was part of everyday life.

At a tourism panel meeting, Ms Wells said it was "lovely" when the libraries re-opened after lockdown, but she acknowledged that it was now "a strange environment".

She said: "We always used to be eager to generate more use of our libraries, but now we can no longer encourage people to linger."

Ms Wells noted that returned books now had to be quarantined for 72 hours.

Another sadness is that no activities - such as story times and craft sessions -  are now being held within libraries.

Only one person at a time is allowed in the search room in Grimsby's archives section.

The electoral roll at Cleethorpes Library is no longer available - it has been transferred to Grimsby Central and can only be inspected by prior appointment.  

On the plus side, Ms Wells said online services were "going down a storm". 

She explained: "People have loved access to e-newspapers, e-magazines and audio books."

"We are keen to progress our library service," she said. "Libraries have a powerful role to play in supporting health and wellbeing."

Cllr Bill Parkinson queried whether there was a long-term future for books in libraries.

He commented: "Although I prefer reading books to reading on screen, most younger people seem to prefer smartphones - they've gone almost totally digital."