A Step Forward Into the Online World

Activities of the Public Library in Čačak During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Abstract

Ever since a state of national emergency has been declared in the Republic of Serbia, due to the coronavirus pandemic, many things have changed in the domain of culture. Even though affected by the cancellation of various events: literary evenings, book promotions, exhibitions, public discussions, workshops, and so on, public libraries were tasked with overcoming the crisis and not giving up on their mission. This paper presents the activities of the Public Library “Vladislav Petković Dis” in Čačak from March to September 2020, with special emphasis on the programs that have been organized in new circumstances caused by the health situation. Among other things, there are examples of how some of the Serbian libraries recompensed the lack of program activities by stepping into the online world. Having become a creator of new services and values, the Čačak Public Library designed a summer program “Listen carefully, I am reading you a story!” that was broadcast on the Library’s Facebook page and YouTube channel during August and September. The new summer program scheme ensured the continuity of the work and expanded a range of activities, making cultural content available at the time when audience gatherings could only be organized on social networks and the internet. Activities like this send a clear message to the public that culture is unstoppable.