Impressive range of online library services offered for free

The doors to libraries across Cavan and Monaghan may be closed to the public for now, but the service remains very much open, and never has it been more essential. In these of days of self isolation and social distancing, the county's online library service is proving a one-stop boredom survival spot.
"It's pretty phenomenal," enthuses Cavan County Librarian Emma Clancy. "There's been considerable investment made nationally over the last few years to really build up the offering.
"We could never have anticipated the need that we have right now," she adds, alluding to the COVID-19 emergency. "And the jump in the membership, especially to access these resources, show that the need is there."
They will conduct a user analysis with the commencement of he new month and are expecting a significant spike in online traffic.
"We have had a huge number of enquiries - our phones have been hopping for the last couple of weeks," Emma tells the Celt.
To meet that need the process of opening a library account - all free of charge - has been streamlined. Current library members can already access the online services, so long as they have their library card and PIN to hand.
"If you are not a current member, you can join up very simply now. You complete a form online, which will generate a temporary library number and PIN, and that will give you access to the whole range of electronic resources that are available to both adults and children.
"And then, please God when we reopen, a permanent library card will be issued to new members so thay have full access to the lending collection as well."
Joining is very simple, and there's library staff manning the phones and email, should you need any assistance: 049 437 8505 or library@cavancoco.ie
While it is straight forward to avail of the services, it involves downloading an app or two, for free, by just clicking through the links. It takes a matter of seconds. Mindful that some older people lack confidence when it comes to smart devices, Emma urges neighbours or family members to help in negotiating whatever downloads are needed.
"It opens up a world of titles that they can read. They are accessible to people with visual impairments because you can increase the font size, and also the e-audio books are very popular," says Emma.
Okay so once you join, the service offers a spectacular range of resources. For example the BorrowBox app allows members to borrow up to five eBooks and five eAudiobooks at any one time, and you can read or listen to them on just about any smart device or computer.
That's just for starters. Emma says that the 'Press Reader' feature, which was only launched at the start of March, has already proven "really popular", particularly for Breffni exiles living abroad and seeking "current, authoritative information" from home.
"It provides access to hundreds of newspapers from across the globe," says Emma. "That is very user friendly, it's literally like sitting down and browsing your newspaper."
As Emma correctly notes, their  online magazine range offer a welcome "break from the hardcore news". Off the top of her head she cites magazines on cycling, golfing, crafting, and photography, but there's every reputable magazine you can think of available free of charge.
"There's also a lot of magazines for children," she adds, "such as National Geographic Kids is available online - again it's just a matter of browsing page by page, which is a fantastic facility that's proving very popular."
Ever heard of Yoruba, Quechua, Kalmyk, or Wolof? You have? Clever you, the Celt hadn't. Anyway, they are just some of the more exotic options from the scores of languages you can learn on the library website by clicking on the 'Transparent Language' option. Obviously the traditionally more popular choices are there too - Irish, Polish, French, German, Spanish etc.
The Celt signed up to the Irish course for a testdrive and it's easy to see how quickly you could develop your language skills through regular use. There's flash cards and challenges. It places an emphasis on accurate pronunciation. A fluent speaker says a phrase, which the learner is required to repeat, and then any parts where you are not quite pronouncing it correctly is highlighted. There's also options to test your writing ability, it's all very thorough, structured, engaging and encouraging. You can go at your own pace, and no one is judging you.
There's much more learning available under 'The Universal Class' option. This resource boasts over 500 courses  from which to choose- everything from accounting to, well not quite zoology, but there is cryptozoology (nope, I don't know what it is either).
"The courses are giving you the opportunity to dip into something," says Emma. "Now that people have a little bit of time, they may think, gosh that's something I've always wanted to learn a little bit more about - this gives you a chance to learn a little bit without committing to either the time or the financial outlay, because this is all available for free."
Emma stresses that despite all the restrictions, the committed library staff are eager to do what they can to fill the significant void left by the temporary closures.  
"The library team, and the frontline staff know their borrowers, and they know what the library means to them... and that's why they are on the end of the line to provide any help in accessing these alternative resources. We're still here for the public, but we're just offering a different type of service," assures Emma.
"The team here would like to wish all our library users well during this difficult time and look forward to welcoming everybody back when our libraries reopen. We want to assure people we're here to support them if we can and even if it's just a case of getting them access to the daily newspaper, well, that's something."