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Last modified: 29 Jul 2020 10:35am

Older man talking on the phone sitting on a couch in a lounge


Selwyn library staff have been phoning more than 1,500 library members over 70 years old offering support during the Level 4 Alert period.

The calls, which began last week, involve staff talking to people who are aged 70 and above who have used a Selwyn Library in the past year.

The librarians are offering help to access the wide range of digital resources the library has available. Arts, Culture and Lifelong Learning Manager Nicki Moen says. “We want to check in with people, to find out if there is anything we can help them with, particularly in terms of library activity. We also want to see if they use technology and, if so, are aware of and are able to use our e-resources, are interested in joining any of our new online programmes and how we can help with that.”

The libraries have also set up a team looking at delivering electronic tutorials, she says and will be offering people they call the chance to book a one-on-one tutorial with library staff to help with digital access. The aim is to provide local support to a priority group identified as more vulnerable at this time.

“Where possible, we have organised the phoning so that a local librarian will phone a local library member. We’re excited to be making calls as our librarians are missing their customers, many of whom they might usually see on a weekly or even daily basis.”

Staff were enjoying the opportunity and were receiving very positive feedback with people very pleased to get a call, she says and intend to stay in contact with library members.