Chapter 1
NEWS IN BRIEF
Alternative services
The coronavirus has had a great impact on the physical services provided the past year. The libraries closed suddenly mid-March and reopened at the same speed again mid-May. We managed to tailor our services to the needs of our customers throughout the year by taking advantage of what was available to us in accordance with the coronavirus measures. There was regular consultation with representatives from different municipalities and the Veiligheidsregio NHN (security region NHN). High frequency areas and common areas were new terms that applied when programing our services.
We continued our work as much as possible in all sorts of alternative ways. Our staff reached out to connect with (potential) customers via telephone, website and social media, through videos, webinars or as delivery service.
When the branches reopened ‘I couldn’t wait because I read so much’
Further development in Egmond
The reorganization of the library in Egmond was completed during the Covid-19 measures. The living room library in the Prins Hendrikstichting closed its doors indefinitely to make room for day care, which was desperately needed at this time. The services for the adults with reduced mobility continued in the three Egmond centers as soon as it was possible. The library was welcomed not only in Post aan Zee, but also in the Schulp and in Hanswijk. Patrons were now at least able to collect and return their reserved materials from these community centered areas. Due to the strict regulations for community centers, it was not possible to implement or develop the programs any further at that time, but there are plans to organize lectures, opportunities to meet, courses and for instance, consultations together with the residents. The services for childcare and schools continued as much as possible, but the toddler library, aimed at (grand)parents and their (grand) children, was unable to provide the planned activities. The CoderDojo activities for youth work were also delayed.
John van de Ree – Great move by @BiebKennemerwrd; really wide selection and super current e-book collection, and free membership. Reading, a fantastic way to get through this period!
Marc Deckers – A one-man applause for the libraries...
New membership model Freemium
But what’s the best way to connect Egmond’s residents with the educational social activities provided by the library? A new concept for membership has been developed for this in collaboration with the libraries in South Holland. Everyone is given the opportunity to sample several library activities with a free membership, the ‘Freemiummodel’. Via a tailormade offer, we then try to interest residents in a paid basic or plus subscription. This is an innovative project that is supported by ProBiblio, and as soon as is possible, Egmond will become a test location.