Closing public libraries can be a necessary measure in combatting the spread of an infectious disease, but it also leaves numerous people without free access to books and other media. During the current covid-19 outbreak, many people are looking for ways to use their time in isolation, and they want to read more books than usual.
An Austrian regional public library service decided to make its online content available to anyone in the region. The access to a large choice of e-books, audio-books, films and other online media, which is usually restricted to within the libraries, can now be requested via email. This practice was started by Treffpunkt Bibliothek, the public library service of the federal state of Lower Austria.
Further information about the Free Online State Library can be found here.