{"id":36035,"date":"2021-04-13T10:28:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-13T07:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pavb.lt\/?p=36035"},"modified":"2021-04-22T14:42:51","modified_gmt":"2021-04-22T11:42:51","slug":"library-conversations-diana-zulge-latvia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pavb.lt\/en\/2021\/04\/library-conversations-diana-zulge-latvia\/","title":{"rendered":"Library Conversations: Di\u0101na Zu\u013c\u0123e (Latvia)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The guest of the Library blog Geros knygos is our colleague Di\u0101na Zu\u013c\u0123e<\/a> (Latvia). Di\u0101na is a librarian at Liepaja Central Scientific Library brach \u201eLibris\u201c.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is always interesting to ask our foreign colleagues about the situation in their libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic. How is your Library facing the challenge? How do you reach your users? Do people miss the usual possibility to spend their leisure time in the library? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last spring, when state of emergency was announced in Latvia, all cultural sites, events and facilities, including libraries, where shut down. At that time we could only provide services remotely. Even now, although we are able to lend books, it is heavily restricted and it\u2018s the only thing that can be done on-site. Only one person or individuals from one household can enter library at the same time, no face to face events are allowed, face masks are required, reading rooms are closed, returned books are kept in \u201equarantine\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n

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As a smaller library, we cope with restrictions well. Our users are understanding and respectful, but there are some hardships working with certain groups. Many people lack digital skills that are necessary now more than ever, so they can\u2018t utilize services and opportunities that libraries offer in full spectrum.<\/p>\n

Our work has shifted to digital environment. We interact with users on social media, try to popularize useful resources that we, our main branch or National Library can provide. Users can request and reserve books through digital catalog, e-mail or call us. We hold online lessons with schools.<\/p>\n

Of course, we miss interacting with users as we did before, but we also notice that for them, especially children and teens, who spent their free time in library relaxing, socializing with each other and studying, this time is particularly difficult.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t