A joint Panorama Project and Library Journal survey of public librarians from the United States and Canada offers a useful snapshot of how the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing mandates have impacted their circulation and programming decisions.
The findings show an increase in digital circulation and spending, an aggressive shift to virtual programming and events, and a conservative outlook on when their buildings might reopen to patrons.
KEY FINDINGS
Essentially all (99 percent) public libraries had closed to the public by the end of April 2020, while nearly 20 percent were offering curbside pickup of materials.
For the most part, libraries did not know when they might be opening up again. Only four percent of respondents thought they would be re-opening in May, but whether they did or not is unknown.
Ninety-two percent reported circulation of physical materials has reduced significantly since the COVID-19 crisis, while 80 percent reported circulation of digital materials has increased significantly.
Approximately one-third of respondents have shifted significant spending away from physical books, audiobooks, and DVDs/Blu-rays, while increasing spending on digital collections to serve their patrons from home.
More than half of respondents indicated their spending on ebooks and digital audiobooks had significantly increased, and nearly one-third indicated their spending on streaming media had significantly increased.
Three-quarters indicated they have been licensing additional digital content to reduce holds to copy ratios.
Respondents were split on prioritizing simultaneous use licenses of digital content—44 percent were making that a priority, while 47 percent were not.
Nearly all respondents (99 percent) have had to cancel, reschedule, or move previously scheduled in-person programming online.
Forty-seven percent have canceled or rescheduled in-person events through at least August 2020
Libraries serving larger populations have been more conservative than the average, with more than half canceling events through August or beyond.
Seventy percent of respondents had already put an author visit or other book-related programming online, while another 17 percent were planning to.
The Panorama Project plans to conduct a follow-up survey later this summer for an updated snapshot of how libraries' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and relaxed social distancing mandates have evolved.