If schools are opening why can’t libraries?

[Spr1ngStitches]

Really missing ours.

Children will be taking out books and returning them on a far quicker and less managed scale.

Our local library building was closed and reopened into about 3 rooms in the town hall. . They would store the quarantined boobs where exactly?

Boobs books obviously 😂

People suggesting that returned books are quarantined, do you have any idea of the sheer volume of space returned books take up every single day? Where do you think they could safely quarantine them? Do you think libraries have lots of empty storage space away from the public

I used to work in a library so yes I do think it's workable and yes there is storage space. As ever someone comes on here to say "of course that won't work" instead of thinking about how it could work. A reservation only system could work.

Yes you get the odd group (we used to get a big group of elderly every Monday morning as a community bus brought them in) but if you have a queuing system they can't all come in at once. And you obviously wouldn't do rhyme time and the like, my county has been doing that online and could continue.

People suggesting that returned books are quarantined, do you have any idea of the sheer volume of space returned books take up every single day? Where do you think they could safely quarantine them? Do you think libraries have lots of empty storage space away from the public?

Charity shops are going to start quarantining all their donations it seems for around 72 hours, so I don't actually think it's that unreasonable of a suggestion. They will have very little space too, but are going to try make it workable.

Great thread

So libraries are looking at reopening in July when they are talking about pubs museums , restaurants etc opening

Of course they make no profit

For kids at home who don't have technology or books libraries need to open

I'm a librarian.

If you're interested in finding out about all the considerations that need to be made (quarantining books is a very real possibility), please have a look at some guidance collated here on the Health Education England Library & Knowledge Services blog:

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

It's complex!

Plus libraries are often now gateways , ours do registrations

So as soon as face to face death registrations are allowed again ( currently being done over the phone ) and birth registrations are allowed again ( currently not allowed over the phone or face to face ) some councils will have top ooen libraries

Some libraries also provide council services- housing benefit enquiries etc

If kids aren’t taking books home what is the point of them going, are they not going to be doing reading?

They can read in the library! And use the Pcs, it's also a safer space for kids to hang out for the ones who can't go home after school for example

The downsides of schools being closed are much greater than the downsides of libraries being closed. Education is a basic human right, libraries aren't.

So the risk/benefit 'equation' isn't the same.

People go to the library and browse through books before choosing. They can't possibly clean every book someone has touched

Are you cleaning everything that comes into your house ?

When bookshops reopen will you be doing the same
?

I guess people could wear gloves

Agree Errol it's leisure not essential , except for those kids who haven't got any access to online learning or books

Because it's not actually safe to open schools they just want to so they can force the working class back to work as they will have some childcare

Ha most of the working class are back at work or never stopped, included bin men, teachers, registrars, cleaners , bus drivers , gardeners, the list goes on

The majority of those at home on sofas with laptops are middle class

@bigchris it's not "leisure" when you've got no internet access at home nor the resources to support your child's education, for example.

Libraries aren't essential if you're wealthy, perhaps.

We really miss the library, we usually get a big stack of books each week and my dc are so bored without new books as they are massive bookworms.

Our library isn’t just a place for books, they have some kind of job searching hub, lots of groups and clubs, the homeless tend to come in during the day for warmth and to use the toilets, it is where the baby weighing drop in happens and more. I think it will be very tricky getting it back open safely.

Many schools don’t have libraries.

That's what I said VaselineOnToast

They’re opening schools so they can force more people back to work

Force! Honestly it’s like some folks think work is a form of punishment and they should get to stay home and get a free flowing income. Plenty of folks want to work. Millions have continued to work. From delivering parcels to Operating supermarkets and warehouses to cleaning hospitals or teaching key worker kids..

For those who don’t fancy working and would rather not,, there is always the dole. Fill your boots.

I'm an academic librarian, so obviously a different environment to public libraries, but yes, the discussions on how to re-open safely are never ending, and are done alongside the work we're doing from home remotely supporting our students.
We're considering limited occupancy, extensive cleaning schedules, massive furniture moves, changing roles of staff in behaviour management (how much is it our duty to force people to socially distance, how much is it their personal business?).
Also considering not allowing the borrowers to browse, and having to request books online, but the infrastructure for this really isn't there in our existing systems, and would have to be a massive change in our library management system, and also staffing patterns and levels.
Quarantining books is giving me the shudders too- I know as soon as we reopen, we'll have a massive influx of returns and we simply don't have the trolleys on which to store them for 72 hours!

So it's a lovely idea to reopen, but public libraries have all this and more, considering the majority of our students are fit and healthy 18-25 year olds, and public libraries are common meeting places for the elderly and more vulnerable of society. (Do you want to go on the shared PC right after the homeless guy who doesn't have the facilities to practice good hygiene?)

Because it's not actually safe to open schools they just want to so they can force the working class back to work as they will have some childcare

Millions of working class people, and yes middle class too, have continued to work throughout. Do these people not count? The bin man, the checkout operator, the cleaner, are they simply not relevant?

Or do you mean you personally will need to go back to work and are fucked off about it?

100% agree Bluntness !

Libraries are more important than the word 'leisure' (which I didn't use) implies - just not a fundamental human right like education.

Great idea, let librarians be heroes too. Our local library lost 3 members of (volunteer) staff last month. Bet the rest are all eager to die so we can all change our books.

My council is using (covid) volunteers so it can expand its library home delivery service. It's usually for the housebound, so now includes the shielded, and maybe other vulnerable/isolating

Leisure is a fundamental requirement for our health.
I'm getting all theoretical now, but Recreation is a vital part of keeping our mh together, we need to take the time to "recreate" we need it.
Libraries are a vital part of Leisure and recreation. In this sense one of the most important provisions for local councils, for well being.
It's not just about taking your book back.
Not saying people should risk their lives though. Oh and I have Hons Degree in Leisure and Tourism Management, and no it's not about selling holidays. and a PgCE, used to teach this stuff.
I'd be having a ball with my students on all the recent issues.