https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8685-1866
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ABSTRACT
The research investigates the response of public libraries to the COVID crisis in the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy). Group interviews were conducted involving 36 librarians from the 9 provinces of the Region, using the ethnographic methodology of “deep hanging out”. Results show the resilience of public libraries during the crisis; the importance of libraries as social infrastructure beyond the services they provide, highlighting how the digital divide has affected the demand for the libraries’ services; the need to implement librarian communication and digitization skills, as well as a lack of consistent support from the Region were noted. The first section of the paper provides framework over cultural institutions and the COVID crisis. The second introduces the methodology for the sample choice and for conducting the interviews. The third section presents findings from the interviews. The fourth section presents conclusive remarks and policy indications for the support of public libraries.
Acknowledgements
This publication stemmed from a work that was commissioned by the IBC (Istituto Beni Culturali) of the Emilia-Romagna Region. As such, the author would like to thank the co-researchers Antonella Agnoli and Martina Robuschi who contributed to data collection and to the critical reflections on the findings. Both Ms. Robuschi and Ms. Agnoli have been made aware of their inclusion and approve, and have been informed throughout all the phases of the publication process.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 The countries were Belgium (Flanders); Croatia; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Ireland; Lithuania; Norway; Netherlands; Poland, Portugal, Scotland; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland.