Libraries reopen after brief closure: "Important in crisis"

Just before Christmas, virtually all of the country's libraries blocked again.

The Swedish Public Health Agency announced that the restrictions would be tightened and libraries, which were listed as a "non-essential" activity, were recommended to close until 24 January 2021.

But just a few days later, the recommendation was removed from FHM's website as it violated the Library Act, which states that libraries are a socially important activity.

Instead, it was left to the municipalities to decide when the libraries were allowed to open.

- Many libraries are already open again and most of them will open before 24 January.

Many library managers have received angry emails from residents who do not understand why the libraries have closed, says Karin Linder, general secretary of the Swedish Library Association.

Varied openings

In Gothenburg and Kungsbacka, the libraries are open for fast, important and well-prepared matters, and in Malmö the libraries are open with changed opening hours and a limited number of visitors.

Last week, the Royal Library in Stockholm also opened for a few planned visits, while Stockholm City Library is closed but offers certain library services through service nodes and digital access to literature until 24 January.

This week, Umeå City Library opens with limited opening hours and Kiruna City Library will reopen its physical premises on 18 January.

- Then we have decided that each visitor will be inside the library for a maximum of a quarter, but I know that here in Norrbotten, all libraries do in different ways based on their conditions, says Carina Bergsten, library manager at Kiruna City Library.

Important in crisis

The Public Health Agency's actions created great confusion and irritation for both the library staff and visitors.

But Karin Linder at the Swedish Library Association believes that the attention that the situation has generated can be positive.

- Now you see that something you take for granted is incredibly important, and that libraries should be important even in crisis situations, she says.