Libraries lockdown in a glance
With libraries closed and Aotearoa in lockdown over the last 8 weeks, many Aucklanders turned to our eCollections and online resources to read, watch and learn while staying safe at home. A whopping 498,287 eBooks and eAudiobooks were issued, and we welcomed 3,772 new members to the Auckland Libraries whānau. Our staff were also getting busy, making over 15,000 calls to members of Auckland's over 70s community and offering support in these difficult times. Many of our heritage collections staff spent time transcribing nineteenth-century letters in the collections , making them more accessible for keyword searching. Our Stay Connected series on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter saw Aucklanders share with us (and each other!) their stories, whakapapa, lockdown lives and more. We also got creative and started offering our popular events and programmes online. With musical performances, craft activities, storytimes, webinars, virtual bookclubs and knitting groups, it’s been amazing...