Public museums and libraries go digital during COVID-19 outbreak

By Kathrin Merritt

People are being advised to stay out of public places, but public places have not forgotten about the people that normally gather in their galleries, collections and shelves. Museums and libraries have been working to make their resources accessible online and to create a sense of community while their patrons are stuck at home.

Public access to books and audiobooks has not been put on hold. Libraries across the country are encouraging patrons to sign up for a digital library card to access the many ebooks that are already available.

“Many libraries allow you to register for a library card online. It’s a breeze and you can start borrowing books right away,” according to the New York Times.

Even access to physical books has not ended during the pandemic, it just looks a little different. Curbside pick-ups and online orders from bookstores offer access to the same stories as before and will help small businesses continue to make sales. Many small shops are depending on non-traditional sales to make up for the in-person purchases.

In Portland, Oregon, “Powell’s Books announced… that over 100 employees were working again to fulfill online orders,” according to KGW8 “While they don’t know what the future holds, they will keep fulfilling orders and keep their booksellers employed and on health insurance.”

Many museums have also been working to stay connected to the public. Online galleries are not new, but their use and significance may be changing while people can not physically visit their favorite museums. Using innovative and upcoming technologies, galleries are able to create an alternative to experiencing art in real life.

“Using the online world and virtual reality technology to replace or reproduce the feeling of viewing art and other objects in person,” according to the Art Newspaper. “Is a process that has been developing at US museums for 20 years, although it has taken on greater significance as the Covid-19 outbreak has closed these institutions to the public for an indefinite period of time.”

Museums in several European countries have already started collecting evidence to document life during this pandemic. Photos of filled apartment complexes, dentists in full-body protective gear, video conference interviews, and other mementos depicting what life looks like during the current pandemic are being collected by museums for future exhibits.

“Museums in Denmark, Slovenia and Switzerland, among others, are busy documenting the crisis in various ways, [including] asking citizens to keep diaries of their daily lives under lockdown,” according to an article from The New York Times, “What people will want to know about this crazy time is what everyday life was like, what it was like to live through.”

Galleries and art sites are also reaching out to their followers on social media in an effort to create a sense of community and collaboration.

Online arts organization Zealous, founded by Guy Armitage, is among the sites that are trying to create positive outlets for the public during these uncertain times.

“Many arts organizations are coming to Zealous and looking for ways to engage in a meaningful way with those in isolation through online competitions,” Armitage said. “This gives people at home a sense of purpose and something to look forward to.”

Social distancing and stay at home orders have created a sense of uncertainty, but many of the institutions that were public resources before the pandemic are still creating platforms for communication and growth today.

“History has demonstrated that times of great adversity can lead to periods of great creativity,” Armitage said. “Today, we all stand united, shoulder-to-shoulder (two meters apart of course) ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.”