High Life Highland Libraries online resources numbers soar during covid lockdown

14th May 2020

High Life Highland Libraries have been given top marks by members and non-members alike as they turn to the Charity's online resources to help provide extra support for health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Feedback on the Library services in Highland, including online ‘Bookbug' sessions, e-books, audio-books and the online newspaper service has shown that people have quickly adapted to take advantage of the services on offer.

Bookbug, a national programme for sharing stories, songs and rhymes for young people, is delivered through our local libraries and has seen the number of views of sessions rise to 6500 in April from just under 2000 in March.
Pressreader, the online newspaper service, has more than doubled the number of views in April 2020 in comparison with the same month last year, an increase of 30,000 views.

The number of uses of e-books through the HLH Library service has also seen numbers double this month on the same month last year.

HLH Libraries superb range of free e-books, audio books, newspapers, magazines and learning resources are available to all members; anyone new to the service can register online to view these services right away.

Parent Davina Seaton summed it up by saying:"As you imagine this has been a very difficult time trying to provide home school and nursery for a 3 year old and a 5 year old who are at different stages of learning. The Bookbug sessions online help to bridge that gap for a short time and provide relief and enjoyment for all of us in our household, as we try to watch them as a family. Both my children benefit as they are learning whilst having fun and the burden of ‘teaching' is lifted from myself. Thank you for helping to bring these vital services to the Highlands during this difficult, stressful and often scary times."

Others commented on social media saying:‘Thank you for all your endeavours to offer the sessions to us Joolz . The excitement this morning when Maisie heard your voice and saw you on screen was fantastic .'

‘Joolz we all watched it and you made me smile'

‘Elise loved Bookbug today, the only online thing she engages with - thank you!'

‘Thanks Joolz, James & Will really enjoyed this morning's bookbug'

‘I am writing this email to highlight how much the Dingwall Library Bookbug sessions have helped during this difficult time whilst having to quarantine.'

Julie Corcoran, Principal Libraries Manager, High Life Highland, said: "Its great to hear that so many people are using and benefiting from our online Library services at the moment. By using online channels, we've been able to keep many of our services available for people in Highland communities during this unprecedented period. We'll keep adapting the range of resources available, as new options become available."

High Life Highland has extended the range of services it offers online. For details of all activities, with clickable links to the resources, visit: https://www.highlifehighland.com/leisure/online-resource/

At the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, HLH Libraries automatically extended all library book loans and overdue charges were removed from 1 March onwards.

The Charity's teams have put together an engaging range of online content to support the health and wellbeing of people living in the Highlands, including: online classes and a range of free newspapers, books and interactive archive sessions suitable for all.

Reflecting the popularity of the HLH online resources, over 26,000 people engaged through its social media pages in the last week. For details of activities, with clickable links to the resources, visit: https://www.highlifehighland.com/leisure/online-resource/

The Charity made the difficult decision to close all archive centres, libraries, leisure centres, museums and swimming pools across the Highlands in line with both Scottish Government and UK Government's advice to minimise social contact in mid-March.

A library card opens many more doors than just books from the local library. You can even get library card in Highland online HERE Library cards in Highland are FREE.

Thousands of ebooks,newspapers, magazines are available free of charge using your library card.

Once you have your library card you can read the newspapers and magazines at www.pressreader.com. You just sign in via Highland Highlife library logo and then enter your user name and password. You will need to get the password set up by the library staff to get you started. If you go in without the library card there are charges but with the card number it is free. The newspapers are from all over the world including many in the UK. It is well worth getting your library card in action and can save you a lot.

Once we get our swimming pools open again it is worth considering a Highlife card that gets you big reductions for many centres in Highland especially if you are a regular for swimming or fitness rooms. There are a range of other benefits that come with a a https://www.highlifehighland.com/join-high-life-highland/

Highland Highlife is registered charity set up by Highland council.

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