Prince George Public Library gets $26K to boost online resources

The Prince George Public Library (PGPL) is benefiting from a one-time investment of $3 million for B.C. libraries online resources. 

That means patrons will have access to over 43,000 more titles on Hoopla Digital, thanks to the investment for libraries announced by the provincial government last week.

Locally, the PGPL will receive $26,500.

Patrons will have access to an additional 16,000 audiobooks and 26,000 eBooks on Hoopla Digital.

Hoopla Digital is a web and mobile library media streaming platform that allows patrons to download or stream eBooks, audiobooks, movies and comics.

Use of the service in the first two weeks of April was double that of the previous year, the PGPL says.  

In addition, the funding will be used for staff training, and to purchase equipment to improve and expand virtual programs. Library staff are currently offering six online programs each week for children and teens via Facebook Live and Google Hangouts.

Last week, library staff offered the first Ukulele Jam Session for Adults on YouTube Live.

“Although virtual programming has always been possible, the current COVID-19 situation has made such services more essential than ever,” said Public Service Manager Ignacio Albarracin in a news release.

“Producing and scaling up our virtual programming requires investing in new technologies and training staff to use these. This funding to public libraries has been incredibly helpful to us as we take on these new challenges.”

Provincially, the funding is meant to help local libraries to provide enhanced digital and connectivity services by expanding Wi-Fi capabilities, offering community digital literacy training, enhancing online library programs and purchasing technology, such as scanners, tablets, microphones and cameras.

Over half of the funding will go to the BC Libraries Co-operative to support electronic resource licensing and help expand online common collections for all B.C. public libraries.

This includes collections such as OverDrive for Libraries.

The PGPL continues to offer many digital collections and streaming services available at www.pgpl.ca/online-resources.