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Collection usage during the COVID-19 pandemic

In 2021 and 2022 the State Library partnered with Charles Sturt University on a project to understand the usage patterns of NSW public library resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previous research on the effects of the lockdown and library closures demonstrated the importance of public libraries to the community with library users indicating that access to collections was the most valued service, both before and during the pandemic. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic public libraries put enormous effort into maintaining access to collections by expanding access to electronic material and introducing alternative creative solutions such as Click & Collect to allow continued public access to physical resources.

The project team analysed detailed loan data from two public libraries to understand usage patterns. The project report Usage patterns of NSW public libraries’ resources during the pandemic outlines the research process and findings. The report describes changes in use of resources over time and usage pattern by type, genre and subject.

 

Download the report