How are we replacing the social services provided by the public library?

The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) suspended all events and classes on March 13 and closed all 21 of its branches indefinitely on March 14. "The health of our staff and customers is of utmost priority as we work to limit the spread of COVID-19," wrote CEO Pilar Martinez.

EPL locations see approximately six million visits each year. "A method that would allow limited public access while enforcing physical distancing was not operationally feasible in the short-term," the organization said.

For the vulnerable and people experiencing homelessness, EPL says it has "been in communications with several of Edmonton social agencies including Boyle Street Community Services and the Bissell Centre who will remain open to serve clients." The library's three outreach workers continue to try to provide support to vulnerable people by phone, Sharon Day, director of branch services and collections, told the Library Journal. 

Day added that the library donated furniture from a recently closed branch and some technology such as iPads and Chromebooks for use at the EXPO Centre, which is now providing drop-in day services for people without housing, as well as an isolation shelter for those who have COVID-19 symptoms.

EPL offers a wide variety of digital content. Edmontonians without an existing library card can register for free online for immediate access. The library has also posted videos of staff reading stories, some of them to Hemi, a golden retriever who belongs to one of the staff members. There are singalong songs, too, and Baby Laptime on Facebook Live.

Many people use the library for accessing the internet. EPL's free wifi is still available at all locations, if you can get connected from outside the building. Shaw Communications has made its Go WiFi service free for everyone.

You can hear more from Martinez about EPL's response to COVID-19 on Episode 53 of Overdue Finds, the library's podcast.