Data show dramatic increase in online use of WCLS resources

Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) has seen a significant increase in electronic use since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The number of visits to eBook, eAudiobook and on-demand streaming platforms is up dramatically from 2019, according to data from an August 18 WCLS board of trustees meeting. Visits to databases that WCLS cardholders have access to – such as Ancestry Library and Consumer Reports – are also being used more frequently. With a dramatic peak in March, some months see twice as many database visits as last year.

Libraries have been closed since March and, under the state’s Safe Start Washington plan, will not reopen until phase 3. Mary Vermillion, community relations manager at WCLS, said Whatcom libraries will follow the state’s reopening plan, and plan to reopen when the county moves into phase 3, but that the library is still open online.

Vermillion said in March WCLS staff focused on reaching out to people to inform them that the library was still open online. The library has a robust digital collection and staff have been searching to expand it with more additions, Vermillion said.

“There are really amazing things on there for people that haven’t visited our website in awhile,” Vermillion said.

Washington’s Anytime Library/Overdrive, which offers eBooks and eAudiobooks, has seen just under a 40 percent increase in use this year and about 1,000 more users per month since the start of the pandemic, according to the WCLS data. RBdigital, a digital media platform offering an array of content services, has had a similar spike of almost 40 percent.

Two newer additions to the library systems online content are Kanopy, a film and documentary streaming service, and Tumblebooks. Vermillion said Tumblebooks is a learning tool for kids.

Throughout the county and in Blaine, the library’s physical circulation is down by about 50 percent. However, WCLS is offering no-contact curbside pickup for cardholders.

Fill-in branch manager Patty Macheras said the Blaine Library has over 50 pickups a day with the highest days reaching 60. Macheras said lots of families are using the service, and the library will continue curbside pick-up into phase 3.

For more information on WCLS services, visit its website at wcls.org/info.