Cat in the Sack 

"To buy a cat in the sack" is a Slovenian expression that means to buy something without knowing it or see it in advance. The corresponding English expression is: to buy a pig in a poke.

During the epidemic our libraries had to operate in a contactless fashion. Readers had the option to order books in advance and pick them up at the appointed time. Here the bags of the “Cat in the sack” came to our assistance, as they enabled lending to all who had not pre-ordered any books.

Originally this project used to be organized for the summer vacations period. It was our intention to offer to our readers that other interesting quality and somewhat forgotten books may be found in our libraries.

Librarians prepare in advance four fiction books by their own choice and hide them in the sack. These are prepared for all age groups. They are also formed according to various genres and marked by stickers with hints.

So, the readers borrow the packed sacks according to their interest and only find out at home, what they had actually received to read.

The “Cats in the sack” have been well received.  

Mobile WiFi Initiative

When Williamsburg Regional Library had to close at the outset of the pandemic, we recognized the need to make the internet accessible to those in the community who don't have a connection at home while still making it possible for people to adhere to the social distancing guidelines. 

We purchased numerous WiFi hotspots and deployed them to various locations around the Williamsburg area on a weekly basis. Library staff used the Mobile Library Services vehicles to take the hotspots to parking lots and neighborhoods where users could drive up, park, and take advantage of free internet access from the comfort and safety of their own cars. Additionally, we set up several long-term WiFi hotspot locations where users could park and access WiFi from their cars 24/7. Both the long-term and rotating WiFi access points put out a strong enough signal to project 30-feet around the hotspot and could be used by up to 15 devices simultaneously. This helped members of our community keep up with vital tasks like online schooling, virtual job interviews, and staying up to date on pandemic news. 

The response has been great, and we have continued this project even as our buildings have reopened. 

Student Testimonies of Libraries impact during the Pandemic

In France, libraries remained open - with adapted hours and sanitary conditions - during the Fall of 2020 and Spring of 2021 when most classes were online and cultural institutions were closed. Libraries were seen as a refuge.

"My friends say the university library is my second home. Of course it is a place of learning, but beyond that, it is a human place, where I feel surrounded with eyes, whispers that make me forget the drab atmosphere of my student room. So I take refuge in the library,and find a kind of balance with my thoughts, and with myself, in the company of friends and knowledge. Long live the library!" Valériu, M1 IMPGT, Social Science and humanities library

"The daily adventure of coming to the university library is paramount to the completion of my curriculum. Without it, I don't know what I would have done. For me, it is vital to have access to it." Salomé, M2 Science Politique, Social Science and humanities Library

"I go to the library because I need a quiet place to study." Philippe, Licence IUT génie électrique et informatique industrielle, Saint-Jérome Science Library

"I am repeating my first year of health studies, after experiencing two lockdowns. During the first one, we were isolated with no access to the university library. Today, I can tell the difference because I feel I am in a work environment, and being surrounded by people who study helps me get motivated and not feel so lonely. I hope the university library will remain open because it is necessary to student mental health." Mathilde, 2e année PACES, Medicine library

"Now that the university libraries are open, we can study in good conditions, which is very important particularly in these difficult times! It's practically a primary need for the success of our studies." Paul 3e année Médecine, Medicine library

BLX at Your Door

The project “BLX at your door” was created in February 9th, 2021 and it was Lisbon Libraries Network responses to people who wanted to read in times of confinement because all libraries and bookshops were closed at the time.

With this project we aimed to continue the library service in the city, from a cultural enjoyment point of view, providing access to our collection in the pandemic period, working to adjust our work to very specific and new needs. People wanted to read and couldn´t get to the Library so the Library went to their homes (in this case to their doors, since the deliveries were made at the doorstep).

The project involved three mini vans and a vast team of librarians to deliver and collect the books, CD and DVD (in separate circuits) and also to comply with all safety regulations because of COVID 19 pandemic.

Loan and/or return requests were made by telephone or email from monday to friday and the project exceeded all our expectations: we delivered a total of 3,764 books, CD and DVD and had a record of new BLX cards requests.​ We went to take books to many private homes, to shops, car stands, to the airport, to two police stations, to a Church and ... as you can see in the picture... to the hospital.