Webinar about reopening libraries for Living Knowledge Network at The British Library

1. Christian Lauersen, director of libraries and citizens services, Roskilde, DK
Twitter: @clauersen
Blog: https://christianlauersen.net/
”The library is not closed,
it is just different”

2. Context
Reopening
Learning

3. Roskilde Libraries
120 employees
6 libraries
1 bookmobile
3 local archives
1 cultural house for children
Citizen services
Lockdown: March 12
Roskilde Municipality
85.000 citizens
50.000 citizens in Roskilde City
Large area with smaller villages

4. March 11 2020

5. May 28 2020

6. July 12 2020

7. I am human and I need to be loved just like anybody else does
How Soon Is Now, The Smiths 1985
Corona or not – what are libraries about?

8. To work effectful with libraries you need to understand what drives people

9. The library is not closed, it is just different
Roskilde Libraries and corona in 4 stages

10. Reopening #1: Click and collect

11. Reopening #2: Letting citizens in the library

12. Reopening #3: New normal

13. Public libraries in Denmark July 15 2020
• Open to the public
• Citizens can loan and return materials
• Materials don’t have to go into quarantine after they are returned
• Citizens can get help from library staff if following the overall guidelines for social
distance
• Citizens can stay at libraries if following the overall guidelines for social distance
• Programs and events are possible if following the overall guidelines for social
distance
• Open self-service libraries are possible if following the overall guidelines for
clearning
• Shared hardware are possible if following the overall guidelines for clearning

14. Adjusting to new normal #1: Knitting and jazz

15. Adjusting to new normal #2: The job interview

16. What makes a succesfull reopening?
• Security for staff and citizens first
• Involvement of staff in every step
• Clear communication internal and external
• Solid, specific and timely guidelines from authorities
• Find smart solutions and adjust along the way
• Remember yourself and your staff why you do this
• Don’t just go back to normal – use what you’re learned

17. ”Never let a serious crisis go to waste”
- Rahm Emanuel
4 things we learned during the pandemic so far

18. #1 What we do matters
The need for cultural activity, learning
and belonging don’t go away due to a
pandemic or any other global crisis

19. #2 When you close libraries citizens tells
you what they miss
The library core services are
still core services

20. #3 Digital transformation
We can make a greater impact digital
than we thought we could
(it is not an either/or)

21. #4 New normal
New ways of working, collaborating and
more flexible work life

22. Stay safe and stay in touch
Christian Lauersen
cula@roskilde.dk
Twitter: @clauersen
Instagram: @librarylovestories
The Library Lab: https://christianlauersen.net
Library Planet: https://libraryplanet.net/