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A librarian who works at a university library in the west of Scotland tells a similar story. The university
is closed and the staff are working from home. Students are trying to complete their studies remotely, but

many do not have computers at home and may not have enough data allowance on their mobiles for
everything to function optimally. The university has loaned computers to some students, though

unfortunately they do not have enough computers for everyone who needs them. Things are particularly
difficult for those students who are trying to learn English, says my Scottish colleague. She works on a
reading challenge for students who need to learn the language, combining email with Zoom guidance.
Zoom is good because you can share screens and have more personal meetings, she believes.

In my own municipality, Mjölby, all our libraries are still open. However, after Easter we introduced more
restricted opening hours so that we could temporarily relocate our library staff to care services, where
there are significant staff shortages. Going from working in a library to working in a caring profession
may seem a huge jump, but both jobs involve working with people.

The library staff are working as assistants in sheltered accommodation or spending the day helping elderly
residents with tasks such as cleaning, laundry and running errands, and leisure activities.

One effect of the coronavirus on the residents in Mjölby is that they will now know a great deal more
about different ways of reading. Talking books, e-services and large print books – there are many means
available to someone who cannot read an ordinary book, for whatever reason, and the library staff
naturally take every chance they get to convey this to their new target audiences!

Anya Feltreuter
Sweden
E-mail: anya.feltreuter@mjolby.se

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