WE MAY not be able to travel to exotic places right now, but Limerick people in their thousands are getting away from the gloom of pandemic and escaping into the fantasy world of books.
That’s according to the City and County Library service which has seen a huge upsurge of people using the online services since lockdown began.
Everything from fantasy novels to e-learning facilities are being used by people taking advantage of the extra time afforded by not being able to conduct life as we knew it.
With World Book Day just past, librarian Julie McLoughlin told the Limerick Post that the public’s appetite for reading is bigger than ever and while lending physical books is not possible, library users are now engaging online.
“Online services gives members access to e-books, borrow box, audio books and all kinds of courses with everything from languages to algebra.
If you want to learn about it, you can find it online at the library,” she told the Limerick Post.
Want to read the New York Herald Tribune or Hello magazine?
They’re online at the library and they’re free.
“There’s such a great focus on reading right now. We just had the Ireland Reads campaign in February and people were asked to pledge even a few minutes of their day to reading to mark it.
“More and more people are seeing the huge benefits there are for escape and wellbeing in reading.
Since the pandemic hit, Limerick’s library services have seen a doubling in the number of users.
“Using our own social media has been hugely beneficial,” said Julie. “It’s a great way of keeping n touch with our library users.
“For instance, we recently had a social media campaign where we asked Limerick authors and library staff to make short clips recommending books to read.
“When you can’t come in and physically browse, and even then, it can be difficult to know what to read next so it was great to be able to give people recommendations. “
To help meet the demand for lockdown reading, there has been a €400,000 investment by government to produce more e-books and audio books.
The library’s e-book collection also has children’s tales and the children’s story time is also now available on-line.
A new campaign due to begin shortly, ‘Limerick Reads, What’s the Story?’ will feature Limerick authors and authors with Limerick connections in conversation and this will run until the end of the year.
“The campaign aims to keep our communities connected throughout the year with discussions, chats and enjoyment of the very best stories Limerick has to offer.
We aim to get as many people, young and old, sharing stories, making connections, joining the conversation and crucially enjoying the practice of reading. The authors involved are, Kevin Barry, Helena Close, Judi Curtin, Padraig Kenny, Roisin Meaney and Donal Ryan.”
According to Julie, reading habits go right across the spectrum from the academic to pure fantasy and escapism.
“The online use has proved very popular and that facility will still be there when we are able to physically re-open again.
There was a 122 per cent increase in the number of eBooks borrowed by the end of last year on the BorrowBox app, and a 143 per cent increase in eBook loans from January 2021 compared to January 2020.
“For a lot of people, there is still nothing that beats reading a book in their hand and hopefully, that will be possible in time.”
Anyone not already a library member, can register at www.librariesireland.ie