New figures show how the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge of interest in Clare County Library’s online services.
Nearly 9,000 e-books were loaned out to Clare readers between Marck and July, as Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill reports.
During the height of the COVID crisis, when library branches throughout Clare were closed, measures were taken to open up access to its online resources to more people, including those who were non-members.
This seems to have paid off, as figures from the Clare County Library service show a huge increase in the numbers accessing books online.
In January and February, just 1,250 e-books were loaned out to members, but that total for both months was exceeded in each month from April to July.
In May alone, over 2,000 e-books were borrowed.
A similar increase can be seen in the numbers availing of E-audiobooks and E-magazines, and there’s been strong demand for online courses too, with 8,400 of those undertaken through the Clare County Library service in the year to date.
12 of Clare’s 15 libraries have re-opened, while click and collect services are available in Kilmihil, Kildysart and Lisdoonvarna.
