Libraries in Matosinhos turn to delivery service during the lockdown

More efficient way of bringing truth and knowledge to avid readers

Like many other services and businesses, municipal libraries in Europe have been deeply impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting restrictions. Many had decided to boost their digital services and provide more online content, others have thought of allowing readers to reserve and pick up their books from the entrance.

The Matosinhos library network has decided to take charge in their hands and borrow a page from the catering industry and start delivering books and other materials on loan straight to the residents’ homes for as long as the lockdown measures are in place in Portugal.

If the reader cannot get to the book, get the book to the reader

The libraries in this municipality have estimated that daily there are 100 requests for loans, and they do not want to let their service beneficiaries down and out during these tough times of isolation.

All registered users will have to do is consult the online catalogue, browse through the titles and check their availability. Once they make a reservation, they should contact the library officials, either by e-mail (bmfe@cm-matosinhos.pt ) or by telephone (22 939 0950) and schedule the delivery to their home address. They have to keep in mind that this service will only be available on working days, between 9:00 and 19:00.

“We are safeguarding all hygiene and safety issues related to this operation, including the periodic disinfection of the book delivery vehicles. The municipality understands that, in a period of confinement, reading and the company of books can be decisive for the mental and emotional health of many people, so we believe that the effort that is being made pays off largely,” explained Fernando Rocha, Councillor of Culture.

Authorities have also assured that all precautionary measures in terms of hygiene will be strictly obliged. That means that all returned books will be quarantined for 48 hours in a specially designated area.

As an additional bonus, the library network is also offering free access to PressReader, the largest online platform in the world that itself provides access to media publications from 150 countries. This special offer will also be available for as long as the lockdown continues.