Due to coronavirus, libraries have had to shut down during lockdown in France. After the difficult period last spring, libraries were able to open up to the crowd but of course there were some strict guidelines to follow, set up by the French government. Located in Brittany, a library had to undergo some changes in order to adapt to the ongoing pandemic:
The opening schedules have been cut down to only a few hours a day to prevent the spread of COVID, everyone above the age of six has to wear a mask and all must use hand sanitizer before picking up books, CDs and films or using the library’s computers. It is encouraged for everyone to maintain a safe distance with each other so as to not spread the virus. Only 30 people maximum are allowed to enter the library and can only stay up to 30 minutes. Any child under the age of eleven is not allowed alone to enter the library and family groups are not allowed either.
There is a one way system through the library: the entry is situated one side of the library and the exit on the other.
When there are animations permitted, people must keep a safe distance and continue following the COVID library rules.
The library has put in place a website where books can be read online during lockdown as well as created a youtube channel to keep people entertained.
The COVID restrictions have also been applied to school libraries: in a certain school library in Brittany, each year can only go in once a week (first years on mondays etc…). Only ten people maximum are allowed in the library and they must wear face masks and hand gel. One seat must separate each person at a table except when classes come to the library for study groups, where unfortunately, security measures cannot be fully respected. Students are allowed to use the library computers but must use an antibacterial spray and all keyboards have a cover. All books that are returned are left in a box for 24 to 72 hours so as to ensure that there are no forms of COVID. They are then decontaminated and put back on the shelves. When entering the library, the students must inform the librarian whether they are studying or just picking up a book.
France is doing it’s best to keep public as well as school libraries safe and to ensure that everyone can enjoy reading amidst a pandemic.
