Western Pa.'s libraries see e-books, audiobooks become more popular during pandemic

With libraries in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties closed since mid-March to stem the spread of the coronavirus, more patrons are using the electronic resources — books, audiobooks, movies and music, a trend that likely will continue when they reopen, library officials and library directors say.

“There has been a significant increase in all of the downloadable resources — the e-books, e-audio, e-music and e-videos,” said Marilyn Jenkins, executive director of the Allegheny County Library Association, which serves 46 member libraries.

Among Westmoreland County’s libraries, daily circulation of the electronic book and audiobooks jumped by 45% to 553 per day as of April 26, up from about 380 whenlibraries closed, said Cesare Muccari, executive director of the Westmoreland County Federated Library System, which represents 25 public libraries.

Circulation of e-books and e-audiobooks will top 16,500 this month, compared to a pre-shutdown average of about 11,400, Muccari said. New e-book users have increased from about 178 per month before the shutdown, to 848 between March 13 and April 16, Muccari said. That increased usages of electronic resources has continued into mid-May, Muccari said.

Increased use of electronic resources has happened across the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s system, said Hilary Lewis, resources coordinator.

Lewis expects there will be a “slight increase in our overall number of digital content users” when the libraries reopen because “many people are trying out digital books for the first time.”

“I can’t imagine this (e-book usage) is going to go away. I think people are becoming more comfortable with it,” said Patty Miller, director of the Scottdale Public Library.

Muccari believes that the trend will continue because “it will become a force of habit.”

“People who become more familiar with the downloadable materials” likely will continue to use it, Jenkins said.

Lewis predicts patrons who prefer reading print books will go back once those are available again.

Since the shutdowns, Miller said she has had people call her at home, asking how they can obtain a library card online. Since March 16, the library system issued nearly 500 cards to new patrons, Muccari said.

“We want to make it possible to get access to the books, especially for the schoolchildren,” who are learning at home, Miller said.

Libraries also are increasing their use of virtual programming, Muccari said.

As the popularity of electronic books and audiobooks increase, Jamie Falo, director of the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, said she will be shifting the library’s money to increase the e-book and e-audiobook collection.

“We want to supply the demands of the patrons,” Falo said.

The library system and librarians are holding virtual meetings to discuss plans to keep employees and patrons safe when they reopen.

It is likely the books and other materials being returned will be quarantined for up to 48 hours, as determined by guidance from the state Office of Commonwealth Libraries, said Denni Grassel, Delmont Public Library director.

“We can do curbside drop-off of returned books and you can have an online library pick-up” of books so patrons do not have to go inside, Grassel said.

To separate patrons and staff, it will cost money to install barriers at the circulation desk, Muccari said.

“We will probably not fully reopen in the near future. We are looking at possible halfway measures,” Muccari said, noting they will wait for guidance from the state.

Libraries are planning on having the summer programming virtually as well, but in an increased mode, Muccari said.

“It’s not like we are going to open full service immediately,” Allegheny County’s Jenkins said.

At the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, they are considering creating more space between computer desks or possibly installing glass barriers, wiping down countertops and keyboards and possibly having staff go into the bookshelves to get the book a patron wants, Falo said.

The library is even considering putting a limit on the number of patrons inside the building.

“We have more than 500 people come into the library on a daily basis,” Falo said.

Whatever directions they receive from the state on reopening protocol, “it’s going to be challenging times, that’s for sure,” Jenkins said.