SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
EXPLORE +
  • About infoDOCKET
  • Academic Libraries on LJ
  • Research on LJ
  • News on LJ
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Libraries
    • Academic Libraries
    • Government Libraries
    • National Libraries
    • Public Libraries
  • Companies (Publishers/Vendors)
    • EBSCO
    • Elsevier
    • Ex Libris
    • Frontiers
    • Gale
    • PLOS
    • Scholastic
  • New Resources
    • Dashboards
    • Data Files
    • Digital Collections
    • Digital Preservation
    • Interactive Tools
    • Maps
    • Other
    • Podcasts
    • Productivity
  • New Research
    • Conference Presentations
    • Journal Articles
    • Lecture
    • New Issue
    • Reports
  • Topics
    • Archives & Special Collections
    • Associations & Organizations
    • Awards
    • Funding
    • Interviews
    • Jobs
    • Management & Leadership
    • News
    • Patrons & Users
    • Preservation
    • Profiles
    • Publishing
    • Roundup
    • Scholarly Communications
      • Open Access

June 7, 2023 by Gary Price

New IMLS Releases Research Brief: Access to Public Library Services and Materials During the First Nine Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic

June 7, 2023 by Gary Price

From IMLS:

The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced today the release of a research brief on the public library response to community needs during the first 9 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The brief, “Access to Public Library Services and Materials During the First Nine Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” highlights how public libraries ensured patrons had access to library services as the pandemic forced closures in communities around the nation beginning in March 2020. This is emblematic of the significant role libraries have in their communities.

Findings from the FY 2020 PLS research include:

  • While library buildings were closed to the public, 62% of libraries intentionally provided Wi-Fi internet access to users outside the buildings.
  • The percentage of libraries allowing patrons to register for library cards online more than doubled to 64% during the pandemic.
  • Usage of e-books and downloadable audio/video materials increased 25% from FY 2019 to FY 2020.

IMLS’s Library Search and Compare Tool includes library-level detail on COVID-related services such as whether a particular library increased continued services while closed, issued e-library cards, provided live virtual programming, or boosted wi-fi access outside of library buildings. PLS Benchmarking Tables also provide national and state-level statistics on key revenue and expenditures, workforce, collections and circulation, and services provided, including per person estimates to enable better state comparisons.

Direct to Full Text Brief
6 pages; PDF.

Filed under: Libraries, News, Patrons and Users, Public Libraries

SHARE:

About Gary Price

Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Job Zone

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Infodocket Posts

JSTOR Releasing First 100 Path to Open Books

Here’s the Full Text of a JSTOR Release:  JSTOR, part of the non-profit ITHAKA, announced today the release of the first books in Path to Open, a new program designed to ...

New Report: "Overdue: The Case For Canada's Public Libraries"

From the Canadian Urban Institute: OVERDUE is the outcome of three years of engagement with Canada’s urban public libraries through one of the most extraordinary periods in human history – ...

Washington State Library Cuts Hours, Halts 'Ask a Librarian' Program, and Leaves Jobs Unfilled as Its Budget Takes a...

From the Yakima Herald-Republic: With a housing market slowdown choking off a key source of its funding, the Washington State Library is shaving hours and pausing virtual inquiries to librarians. Effective this ...

Dr. Steve Sherry Selected as Acting Director, National Library of Medicine (NLM)

From NLM: NLM is excited to announce that long-time leader and innovator, Stephen Sherry, PhD, is now our Acting Director. Dr. Sherry has 25 years of experience performing research, education, ...

Judy Blume, James Patterson and Other Authors are Helping Pen America Open Florida Office, "To Counter Florida’s Surge...

Florida Judy Blume, James Patterson and Other Authors are Helping Pen America Open Florida Office, “To Counter Florida’s Surge in Book Bannings in Recent Years” (via AP) ||| Learn More: ...

Now Available to All Readers in Illinois: Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) Partners with the University of...

UPDATE: An Announcement From the University of Chicago is Also Available: UChicago Library Expands Access to Banned Books Amid National Debate Over Censorship From a DPLA Announcement: The Digital Public ...

Invitation to Host IFLA WLIC (World Library and Information Congress) 2024 in Dubai Withdrawn

Here’s the Full Text of the IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) Statement Released Today: IFLA has been informed of the decision to withdraw the invitation to hold ...

Report: Exploring the Experiences of Canadians Accessing Alternate Format Print Materials

From Statistics Canada: In Canada, the 6.2 million persons with disabilities often experience challenges related to accessibility in their daily lives. While persons with disabilities face unique experiences and challenges ...

New Report: "Assessment of the Library of Congress's Digital Strategy"

From the Office of the Inspector General, Library of Congress: The Library’s digital planning and execution activities have resulted in numerous accomplishments. Despite these achievements, more work remains to clearly ...

A New Open Science Indicators Dataset From PLOS; Yale University Selects Clarivate to Provide Their Next Library Services...

EDUCAUSE 2023 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report: Holistic Student Experience Edition Missouri Kansas City Public Library Introduces a New Logo (via KCPL) Public Library of Science (PLOS) A New Open Science Indicators ...

New Bill in New York State Assembly: re: Sale of Books Created with Generative AI

The bill linked below was posted on September 29, 2023. From the Summary: Requires online sellers of books created wholly or partially with the use of generative artificial intelligence to ...

A Banned Books Week Video Message From LeVar Burton re: Let Freedom Read Day on October 7, 2023

From the Video’s Description: Beloved reading advocate, writer, and television and film star LeVar Burton is leading this year’s Banned Books Week, which takes place October 1–7, 2023. He’s ready ...

ADVERTISEMENT

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Tweets by infoDOCKET

ADVERTISEMENT

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • Programs+
  • Design
  • Leadership
  • People
  • COVID-19
  • Advocacy
  • Opinion
  • INFOdocket
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Booklists
  • Prepub Alert
  • Book Pulse
  • Media
  • Readers' Advisory
  • Self-Published Books
  • Review Submissions
  • Review for LJ

Awards

  • Library of the Year
  • Librarian of the Year
  • Movers & Shakers 2022
  • Paralibrarian of the Year
  • Best Small Library
  • Marketer of the Year
  • All Awards Guidelines
  • Community Impact Prize

Resources

  • LJ Index/Star Libraries
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies

Events & PD

  • Online Courses
  • In-Person Events
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Submit Features/News
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Careers at MSI


© 2023 Library Journal. All rights reserved.


© 2022 Library Journal. All rights reserved.