Today is World Book Day.
There haven’t been many good news stories during the last 2 years, but a rise in reading and book sales is one. In 2020, over 200m print books were sold, and in 2021 that had risen to 212m; despite physical bookshops being closed during the 3 lockdowns. The 2021 figure is the highest of the last decade. E-books and audiobooks also saw a rise in sales, particularly at the start of the pandemic.
Like bookshops, libraries had to close their doors when the UK went into lockdown, a major blow when so many of them are at the heart of their communities. In the 21st century, libraries are much more than simply a place to borrow a book. Libraries have developed into community centres, providing IT/computer access and support, study spaces, help with benefits and other online applications, as well as activities for children and senior citizens. All this against a backdrop of spending cuts over the last 10 years and many libraries closing their doors for good. But like bookshops (and many other retailers) when lockdown happened, libraries and librarians moved to deploy their services and skills online. They assisted readers in accessing an array of e-books, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers, in addition to providing services to vulnerable and shielding residents. Libraries also offered extra services, such as online book clubs, story times, and creative challenges.
Like many people, I had gradually lost the habit of being an avid library user. During my childhood, the bi-weekly or even weekly visits (during school holidays when there was extra time for reading), were central to my family life. However, over recent years, for many reasons, that habit has slipped.
As restrictions eased, Libraries introduced click and collect services which thrived, with the ability to reserve books online and then pick them up from the library door without the need to enter the building. In one instance, last week, a very kind librarian located a rare book for me from the depth of a shut-off part of the library, whilst I waited safely at the entrance. Whilst this is not ideal or in the spirit of what a library should be, it has allowed libraries to reopen and us, the readers, to access its physical stock. Whilst these services do not benefit those who do not have digital access, it is a step in the right direction, but the response to the pandemic by library services shows how crucial they are, and how important their full reopening is to their communities.
So on this World Book Day to all those libraries and librarians who have kept reading alive in their communities during this pandemic… Thank You.