Richmond Public Library expands online resources in response to COVID-19 isolation instructions
The Richmond Public Library is closed until further notice, but that doesn’t mean the beloved resource is shuttering its services.
To account for closing the neighborhood branches to promote social distancing, the library is expanding access to online resources.
The checkout limits on a number of the library’s reservation systems for audiobooks, movies, comics and music have been lifted to encourage online borrowing.
RPL just added 7 channels of streaming video for entertainment and learning. Keep up with your favorite British shows on Acorn TV, catch a concert on Stingray Qello, explore telenovelas on Pongalo, attend a lecture in The Great Courses, prep for the ACT/SAT tests with Method Test prep.
All of these services are now available in the RBDigital app. Users will be able to view two channels a week. That means that for 7 days they can view all of the Acorn TV they want or all of the Great Courses they want for one checkout.
Richmonders have always been able to access test preparation, language learning and a variety of professional development courses using their library card. The Stoney administration’s call for social distancing provides the perfect opportunity to take advantage of those resources.
Additional services will be added to the online library in the coming weeks, so users should check back often.
“It is very important that Richmond Public Library does everything we can to make sure people have access to our education and entertainment resources,” says library director Scott Firestine. “We’re working to expand their availability even further.”
As of March 14, meeting and study rooms are closed, events and classes are cancelled, and due dates are extended all through April 13.
Patrons can continue to place holds online. Existing holds will be continued. Book donations are currently not accepted, and the April book sale has been postponed.
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