COVID-19 closures and the impact on NSW public library users
In 2021 the State Library partnered with Charles Sturt University on a project to understand the importance of the physical spaces of NSW public libraries. NSW public library buildings were closed to the public for lengthy periods of time in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. The aim of the project was to understand how much public library users missed visiting their physical libraries during the time of COVID-induced closures and in what ways users uniquely benefit from visiting public libraries’ physical spaces.
Four NSW library services participated in the project, two in metropolitan Sydney and two in regional areas. An online questionnaire was distributed to users of the library services at a time when all NSW public library buildings were closed to the public. Respondents reflected directly on their current or recent experiences of life without a physical library.
The project report The importance of the physical spaces of NSW public libraries: What users miss, and why outlines the research process and findings. It highlights the following points:
- library spaces are highly valued by the community
- libraries serve diverse communities
- libraries provide an experience for users
- libraries offer the opportunity to connect with others
- library collections are highly valued by the community
- library staff have a positive impact.
More information about the research is available through the article Part of my daily life: the importance of public libraries as physical spaces