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Wiesbaden / Frankfurt (dpa / lhe) - The doors are locked in many places due to the corona pandemic, but libraries in Hesse have not stopped lending for a long time.

"I believe that almost no one has closed the lending business completely," said the executive chairwoman of the Hessen State Association in the German Library Association, Andrea Wolff, of the German Press Agency.

"The fact is that actually all libraries offer different pick-up, delivery or telephone services."

The reason: In the interpretative notes on the ordinance on the restriction of social contacts, they are expressly excluded from closings.

There it says: "Archives, libraries and drive-in cinemas are not closed."

When it comes to libraries, a distinction must be made between public and academic institutions, said Wolff.

The latter usually have an advantage due to their size and a very specific task.

Teaching and research at universities or in institutes continue, even in times of corona.

"We also have to provide literature and information for students, teachers and researchers."

All academic libraries in Hessen are open.

Workplaces could also be used in many of these libraries with the appropriate hygiene measures.

"In the case of public libraries, the cultural educational mission is also very important at this time," said Wolff.

However, since the houses are usually smaller, less is possible there.

"Many public libraries then came up with alternative measures."

In almost all libraries there is still at least some media supply.

Especially in times of closed schools, it was important for children and young people from socially disadvantaged families not to lose touch.

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While many municipal institutions, such as in Oberursel, currently state on the homepage, “Unfortunately, the city library is closed”, the houses offer online orders and pick-up times by appointment.

"We have an appointment every ten minutes," said the spokeswoman for the central library in Frankfurt, Sabine Prasch.

Interested parties can order media online or by telephone.

When everything has been found, an appointment will be made.

"People are very grateful that we offer this."

So you can make an offer to relatively many people with little contact.

Many libraries in Hessen are also part of the “Onleihe” initiative.

Anyone with a library card can access the digital content of all participating institutions.

The network is financially supported by the Ministry of Science.

"With funds amounting to 400,000 euros, licenses could be purchased in 2020 and the expansion of the digital e-lending network in Hessen strengthened," said the ministry.

The funding started will be continued this year.

Other libraries such as the city libraries in Wiesbaden or Dieburg also open their doors during the crisis.

"Only a maximum of six people are allowed in," said the director of the Dieburg city library, Annette Rüth, about the hygiene and distance rules.

But the interest is unbroken.

There were days when more than 100 people came in five hours.

A change in reading behavior in the pandemic could not be determined.

"You can tell that the demand has not decreased."

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Wolff from the library association also confirms this.

“In public libraries you can see that online lending has increased.

Print lending is declining, but not as much as one would expect. "

The pandemic showed that well-trained employees are important in social media.

Flexibility is also important.

The range of around 450 facilities with even more locations has always been in great demand so far.

And where does the way lead?

For the Ministry of Science it is clear: “The trend towards digital media will intensify.

The growing need for library software that enables access to library services from home is clearly evident. "

Rüth and Wolff see yet another trend: the library is moving away from the sometimes dusty image of the past, towards a place of learning, residence and events with a more event character.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210228-99-624891 / 2

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Corona Contact and Operating Restrictions Ordinance

Interpretation notes for the regulation on the restriction of social contacts