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This paper deals with the newly created ways of program activities during the coronavirus pandemic in the period when the Belgrade City Library was temporarily closed. The given legal framework and ways of adjusting the work to the conditions that imply social distance and closing libraries for users due to the spread of the virus and the declaration of a state of emergency are presented. The example of the Children’s Department shows the possibilities that have opened up for working in a virtual environment. The importance of maintaining contacts with users and associates and networking with other cultural workers is emphasized. The challenging situation encouraged new forms of library activities and the opportunity to transfer some of the programs from the real to the virtual space to animate the reading audience. The importance of interacting with the youngest readers is emphasized, as well as the provision of reading recommendations and relevant information in order to prevent the discontinuation of work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores activities of public libraries under changed conditions caused by the official announcement of the infectious disease COVID-19 pandemic, paying special attention to the work of the Public Library Bor during the lockdown and afterwards. Public libraries worldwide had to find a way to continue their work and to overcome fears, confronting contradictory information, as well as to make, often alone, hard decisions of what services to offer and how to deliver materials to users. Libraries were deciding on options ranging from minimal restrictions to the total lockdown. On the other hand, library users had to turn to online sources of information and services in order to satisfy their needs and interests, so that the paper also explores the effects of these new working conditions on the usage of digitized materials and virtual library services. The conclusion is that libraries should carefully evaluate their possibilities and resources, adjusting their services and programs to what people need the most. As the course of the pandemic is constantly changing, libraries need to focus on improving their virtual offers and finding the way to do so with minimum and tolerable expenses, having in mind that many public libraries in Serbia have already faced budget reductions and cuttings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents how the activities of the Library were reorganized, in the changed conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges that librarians have been faced with, in the context of communication based mainly on the application of digital technologies, are also presented. The specifics of the users’ perception of the changed book lending regime are pointed out. The paper gives the models of using digital platforms in designing the promotional, program, and workshop activities of the Library, due to restrictions of gatherings on the premises. The intention is to locate weak points, manifested in specific circumstances, in order to apply the acquired experience in revising goals and planning future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores activities of public libraries under changed conditions caused by the official announcement of the infectious disease COVID-19 pandemic, paying special attention to the work of the Public Library Bor during the lockdown and afterwards. Public libraries worldwide had to find a way to continue their work and to overcome fears, confronting contradictory information, as well as to make, often alone, hard decisions of what services to offer and how to deliver materials to users. Libraries were deciding on options ranging from minimal restrictions to the total lockdown. On the other hand, library users had to turn to online sources of information and services in order to satisfy their needs and interests, so that the paper also explores the effects of these new working conditions on the usage of digitized materials and virtual library services. The conclusion is that libraries should carefully evaluate their possibilities and resources, adjusting their services and programs to what people need the most. As the course of the pandemic is constantly changing, libraries need to focus on improving their virtual offers and finding the way to do so with minimum and tolerable expenses, having in mind that many public libraries in Serbia have already faced budget reductions and cuttings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]