NAPERVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DeVry University is announcing its commitment to distribute 100 percent of its federally allocated Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund funds from the CARES Act directly to students who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act funds are intended to help eligible students with additional expenses they have incurred due to the transition to remote learning and the disruption of campus operations as a result of COVID-19.

DeVry will equally disperse the financial assistance to students who both request funds and meet U.S. Department of Education eligibility requirements.

At DeVry University, we have a culture of Care that shapes our universitys focus on providing support for our students. In keeping with this mission, we are publicly announcing our commitment to direct all funds we receive under the CARES Act to supporting our campus students, who have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, said Bill Caruso, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of DeVry University.

According to the Department of Education, 50 percent of funds from the CARES Act must help students cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. This could include housing, food, technology and childcare. The institutional component of the funds can also be disbursed to students as emergency financial aid grants, and eligible expenses can include a students comprehensive cost of attendance. DeVry will be disbursing 100 percent of the student and institutional funds it receives to eligible students in the form of grants.

For us, there was never any doubt that we would direct our full allocation of funds from the CARES Act to assisting students from our campus locations, added Caruso. In this deeply unsettling time, we remain, as always, focused on supporting the academic success, personal development and career potential of our students.

About DeVry University

DeVry Universitys mission is to foster student learning through high-quality, career-oriented education integrating technology, business, science and the arts. Founded in 1931, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs onsite and online within its six areas of study: Accounting, Business, Healthcare, Technology, Liberal Arts, and Media Arts & Technology. The university is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC, http://www.hlcommission.org/). To learn more about DeVry University, visit devry.edu.

Originally posted here:
DeVry University Commits 100 Percent of CARES Act Funds to Students - Business Wire

Education watchdog Ofsted inspect services providing education and skills for people of all ages.

There are different types of inspection including full inspections and monitoring visits.

Where a full inspection is carried out a number of areas will be graded and the establishment given an overall rating.

The ratings are outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

Some inspections are carried out with notice and others are unannounced.

Here are the reports published for schools in Colchester so far this year.

Humpty Dumpty Pre-School

Overall rating: Good

The quality of education: Good

Behaviour and attitudes: Good

Personal development: Good

Leadership and management: Good

The report said: "Children are happy and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in this welcoming pre-school.

"Staff have high expectations for all children. They work closely with parents and other professionals to provide children with the support they need to progress and develop."

Tiddlywinks Preschool

Overall rating: Outstanding

The quality of education: Outstanding

Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding

Personal development: Outstanding

Leadership and management: Outstanding

The report said: "Children have a wonderful time at this delightful pre-school.

"They busily immerse themselves in a range of highly engaging activities.

"The manager and staff are superb role models who work together to create a captivating learning environment."

Lexden Springs School

Overall effectiveness: Good

The quality of education: Good

Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding

Personal development: Good

Leadership and management: Good

Early years provision: Outstanding

Sixth-form provision: Good

The report said: "Pupils listen carefully to their teachers and to each other because classrooms are purposeful and calm.

"They are polite and respectful to each other and their teachers.

"Teachers of all subjects have a deep understanding of pupils needs. Pupils are provided with opportunities for creative development, exploration, discovery, understanding the community and physical and self-development."

Colchester Institute

Inspection type: Monitoring visit

What progress have leaders and managers made in ensuring that the quality of education improves so that learners understand and apply key concepts fluently to their learning? Significant progress

What progress have leaders and staff made in selecting and sequencing the curriculum so that learners develop new knowledge and skills and work towards defined end points, including their next stage of education, training or employment? Reasonable progress

What progress have leaders made in ensuring that teachers and assessors use assessment to inform teaching, check learners and apprentices understanding and help them gain, extend, and improve their skills? Reasonable progress

What progress have leaders made in supporting adult learners to gain valuable employability skills and understand what they need to do to reach and succeed in their chosen career or next phase of education or training? Significant progress

The report said: "Governors and leaders responded swiftly and effectively to the findings from the previous inspection.

"They have an effective structure for ensuring improvements in the quality of education.

"As a result, the proportion of young learners who achieve their qualifications has increased significantly."

The Wilson Marriage Centre Nursery, Little Learners

Overall effectiveness: Good

The quality of education: Good

Behaviour and attitudes: Good

Personal development: Good

Leadership and management: Good

The report said: "Children are very keen and active learners.

"They are met and greeted by smiling nursery staff, who help them to settle quickly and choose what they want to play with.

"Children have very good relationships with each other and with the staff."

Holly Corner Kindergarten

Overall effectiveness: Good

The quality of education: Good

Behaviour and attitudes: Good

Personal development: Good

Leadership and management: Good

The report said: "On arrival, children are welcomed by friendly and enthusiastic staff. Children form secure attachments and develop positive relationships with staff.

"This helps children to feel emotionally safe and secure. Children interact well together."

Squirrels Pre-School

Overall effectiveness: Outstanding

The quality of education: Outstanding

Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding

Personal development: Outstanding

Leadership and management: Outstanding

The report said: "Children are highly settled and happy. They often sing to themselves as they play and work.

"Children talk animatedly with their friends. They laugh and actively share toys and divide up dough fairly. Children ask staff for help or extra resources, such as scissors, confidently."

Little Explorers PreSchool

Overall effectiveness: Good

The quality of education: Good

Behaviour and attitudes: Good

Personal development: Good

Leadership and management: Good

The report said: "Children build strong bonds with staff. They show how happy and safe they feel as they settle quickly into play and activities on arrival.

"Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging and an understanding of positive behaviour."

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Colchester

Overall effectiveness: Good

The quality of education: Good

Behaviour and attitudes: Good

Personal development: Good

Leadership and management: Good

The report said: "Children are curious, inquisitive and enjoy their learning.

"They take time to work problems out for themselves before responding to staff's questions, using increasingly complex words."

Myland Community Primary School

Inspection type: Inspection of a good school

Outcome: It continues to be a good school

The report said: "There is a lot of joy in this school.

"Pupils like being here, and there is a strong sense of purpose.

"Pupils are expected to work hard and behave well, and they do. There is also time for fun and laughter."

Thomas Lord Audley School

Inspection type: Inspection of a good school

Outcome: It continues to be a good school

The report said: "Pupils largely enjoy school. They have positive relationships with teachers.

"They respect teachers and value the support they receive. Pupils benefit from leaders and teachers high expectations.

"Their time is used well in focused and meaningful activities, which help pupils to learn."

St Georges Infant School and Nursery

Overall effectiveness: Inadequate

The quality of education: Inadequate

Behaviour and attitudes: Inadequate

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How Ofsted has rated schools in the Colchester area so far this year - Gazette

An online support network is encouraging local women to put the kettle on or have a sip of wine while having a virtual chat to share ideas and experiences around staying connected during the coronavirus pandemic.

Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes recently launched Virtual Country Cuppas to help rural women combat feelings of isolation and stress while practising physical distancing.

Co-ordinated by the Victorian Rural Womens Network (VRWN), the event is based on the VRWNs successful face-to-face Country Cuppas that attracted 600 rural women to 32 events across Victoria in October.

This year participants are invited to host a virtual morning or afternoon tea, after-work drinks or another form of an online catch-up with their favourite community members or group.

Drought, bushfires and coronavirus have all created an even greater need for more communication and connections to support rural Victorian women, Ms Symes said.

The Virtual Country Cuppas initiative is a great way for women to be able to stay in touch and talk about the things that really matter to them and their families in these challenging times.

Anyone wanting to host a Virtual Country Cuppa will receive a hosting pack from VRWN, which includes a free training webinar for online meeting platform Zoom and personal development resources.

Virtual Country Cuppas will be held from May 23 to May 31.

For more information or to register, visit the Victorian Rural Womens Network website at extensionaus.com.au/VRWNetwork

Read more:
Local women encouraged to connect via Virtual Country Cuppas - Riverine Herald

May 12, 2020

Montclair State alumna helps develop critical at-home self-collection kit for LabCorps COVID-19 diagnostic test

Posted in: Health, Homepage News, Science and Technology, University

Julia Dondero 14 has been working behind-the-scenes to bring a new at-home self-collection kit for LabCorps COVID-19 diagnostic test into the hands of the health-care workers and first responders who need it the most.

Dondero leads the molecular diagnostics department at LabCorps Raritan, New Jersey, lab, where she was able to rapidly scale up and validate an at-home collection kit that was the first authorized for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Maybe its because Im a nerd who is into biology, but when I first learned about the coronavirus, I immediately thought, I have a feeling a few months from now, Im going to be testing this by the thousands.

As the pandemic intensified with calls for more COVID-19 testing, Dondero has worked around the clock, overseeing the at-home collection kits validation on various platforms and running samples to ensure the accuracy of results at multiple test sites.

Every day wed get more information, better information, more sample types, a better understanding of the accuracy of the tests, she says. I have never seen anything grow this quickly before.

On May 1, 2020, the at-home collection kits became available to health-care workers and first responders who may have been exposed to the virus or have coronavirus symptoms. They are now able to use at home a Q-tip-style cotton nasal swab to collect a fluid sample, which is then mailed to a lab for testing.

The FDA worked with LabCorp to ensure that results are as accurate as samples collected at a doctors office, hospital or other testing site. Self-sampling sidesteps the need for a clinician to perform the test, reducing their exposure to symptomatic patients. It also frees up personal protective equipment, which is in short supply. (Like all other COVID-19 tests on the market, the FDA authorized the test under its emergency use rules.)

LabCorp has released about 300,000 results, tests for the virus coming from the new at-home kits and hospitals, Dondero says.

Donderos contribution is the type of work that often goes unnoticed. A lot of times we get sidelined or hear only the negatives about the lack of testing, she says. But its nice that recently Ive seen a lot of us being recognized as our testing has ramped up across the country.

The spotlight shined on Dondero in April when the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) featured her during Laboratory Professionals Week.

ACLA shared: Julia has led the molecular diagnostics department at LabCorps Raritan, New Jersey, lab over the last several weeks with technical expertise and a calm disposition during a tense and trying time. Her admirable leadership and dedication to patient care enabled LabCorp to validate the companys COVID-19 assay on three instruments in an extremely short period of time, while also supervising and training molecular employees and many additional volunteers.

News of Donderos success reached Biology Professor John Gaynor, who mentored Dondero when she was an undergraduate student doing Molecular Biology research at Montclair State University.

When I heard that she was instrumental in the initial development of coronavirus testing at LabCorp, I was not surprised. She has always been meticulous and detail oriented just the kind of individual you want doing that work, Gaynor says. It makes me feel confident knowing that there are good scientists out there like Julia that we trained at Montclair State doing this important work.

While at Montclair State, Dondero assisted Gaynor and Biology Professor Paul Bologna on a grant-supported project from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection to study the jellyfish of Barnegat Bay.

Bolognas lab does the field collection and ecological work, Gaynors lab does the molecular work, primarily DNA extractions, PCR and DNA sequence analysis to identify unknown organisms, Gaynor says. Although Julia started doing the molecular work in my lab, she also wanted to experience the field component side. So, she started volunteering to work on the boat collecting samples and making measurements of water quality. Julia was a fast learner and very enthusiastic about the science.

Her work is now far different from the study of jellyfish at the Jersey Shore. My department usually handles chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes simplex, HIV and hepatitis C, Dondero says. Were used to pipetting something thats contagious. We already follow best practices for proper PPE. We always wear gloves, a lab coat, face shield or work under a hood.

She says shes taking extra precautions with the easily transmissible coronavirus: When I get home, I dont take any chances. I wont even sit on the couch until I have showered and changed.

Story by Staff Writer Marilyn Joyce Lehren.

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Acing The Test News Center - Montclaire News

School/DepartmentSchool of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing Based atOff Campus Hours of work37.5 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday (Standard office & core hours included in person specification) Contract typeFixed term contract Fixed Term Period14 months Salary27,000 to 32,000 per annum Apply by01/06/2020

Role Description

Off campus location: Primagraphics Ltd, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 2TU

An exciting opportunity has become available to develop a new product range of wearable video displays (e.g. using head mounted devices) and controls capable of operating in rugged environments (extremely harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures, immersion, dust, light, and noise). The project will focus on developing Augmented Reality applications to support defence and aerospace sector related complex challenges.

This position is a 14 month fixed term contract, with a dedicated training budget of 4,000, tailored towards your personal development and this role will lead the development of Augmented Reality applications to support defence and aerospace sector related complex challenges.

Here at Cranfield, our people are our most valuable resource and everyone has a role to play in shaping the future of our university, developing our learners, and transforming the businesses we work with. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impacthere. Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out morehere.

Primagraphics Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Curtiss-Wright Inc, who are working with Cranfield University to develop new revenue streams through innovative research and design programmes. In this KTP programme, you will be employed by Cranfield University and located at Curtiss-Wright Inc.

Primagraphics works with companies such as BAE Systems, THALES, Raytheon, and Leonardo, and designs, develops, manufactures and assembles equipment for handling and displaying graphics and images. Product lines include combat aircraft, helicopter and tracked ground vehicle fire control, sensor and moving displays, cockpit display solutions, naval command and control consoles for multi-sensor and situational display, airborne multi-sensor display consoles for maritime patrol and multi-sensor surveillance.

Cranfield Manufacturing is one of the eight themes at Cranfield University offering world-class and niche post-graduate level research, education, training and consultancy. We are unique in our multi-disciplinary approach by bringing together design, materials technology and management expertise. We link fundamental materials research with manufacturing to develop novel technologies and improve the science base of the manufacturing research. Our capabilities are unique, with a focus on simulation and modelling, and sustainability.

This role requires knowledge of image processing and computer vision along with signal processing. Knowledge of augmented and virtual reality, and human computer interaction would also be desirable in this role. This role would suit an individual with excellent communication and presentation skills and the ability to work in both industrial and academic setting. Previous experience of C#/C++, or similar programming language is also essential. You will hold a first degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline. A PhD in one of these areas is also preferable.

At Cranfield we value Diversity and Inclusion, and aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect and realise their full potential. Our equal opportunities and diversity monitoring has shown that women and minority ethnic groups are currently underrepresented within the university and so we actively encourage applications from eligible candidates from these groups. Find out more at:Working at Cranfield

Our equal opportunities and diversity monitoring has shown that women and minority ethnic groups are currently underrepresented within the university and so we actively encourage applications from eligible candidates from these groups.

For an informal discussion, please contact John Erkoyuncu, Senior Lecturer in Digital Service Engineering, on (T); +44 (0)1234 75 4717 or (E);J.A.Erkoyuncu@cranfield.ac.uk

Interviews to be held: 15 June 2020

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Augmented Reality Researcher (KTP Associate) job with CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY | 206354 - Times Higher Education (THE)

Watching some of televisions prominent news and entertainment personalities practicing social distancing, it is interesting to see how they look outside the studio.

As they broadcast from remote locations, their self-chosen home settings can tell a lot about them perhaps more than they would like. Clearly, in this pandemic, its a challenge to maintain glamour in the absence of make-up people and hair stylists. A lot of the normally attractive teleprompter readers now just look like anyone else you could be waking up next to in the morning. That sense of the ordinary can be seen in CNNs Chris Cuomo, isolated in his basement and wearing a sweatshirt, or Lady GaGa as she sings a fundraising song from her kitchen. I noticed she has the same toaster oven that I have.

NPR commentator Amy Walter has a book collection behind her, befitting her status as a news analyst. I could see No Ordinary Time, by Doris Kearns Goodwin, and David Herberts biography of Abraham Lincoln. Her Monday night counterpart, Tamara Keith, chooses not to have any books displayed. Instead, she has certificates of achievement and posters behind her. Lisa Desjardins broadcasts from a stark living room no pictures on the wall, no books, and she is seated before a fireplace that looks as if it has never been lit. Theres a weird lamp behind her. White House beat reporter Yamiche Alcindor has Ta-Nehisi Coates Between the World and Me, prominently displayed face-out on a shelf above her. NPR news anchor Judy Woodruff talks to us in front of an impressive rack of books, including Jon Meachams Destiny and Power and Bushs Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Look Presidential by James Moore.

Watching a clip featuring John Harwood, CNNs Whitehouse correspondent, as he was seated in front of his bookshelf, I could read titles like Michael Kranishs Trump Revealed and Its a Long Story: My Life, by Willie Nelson. CNNs political commentator John Avlon had a biography of Herbert Hoover behind him.

The at-home settings of political candidates can tell a lot about what they value by what is or isnt on the shelves. In a video conference from home, Bernie Sanders had no books on display but two nice pictures of Vermont on the walls behind him. In his taped campaign messages, Joe Biden has a lot of books in his basement study. Most of them like, The Making of the President 1960 by Ted White, were written before 1980.

Ill admit that it is rare that I switch over to Fox News. I did see where Lara Logan has Michael Waltzs Warrior Diplomat on her shelf. I would expect the other Fox personalities to have titles like The Conscience of a Conservative, by Barry Goldwater, Pat Buchanans Right From the Beginning, Stealing America, by Dinesh DSouza, and books by other conservative authors like Mark Steyn, Michelle Malkin, and Ann Coulter. There would be a lot of American flags in the background, and perhaps a framed picture of Donald Trump on the wall. Im guessing Sean Hannity would have Ted White and Blue, by Ted Nugent, in his collection.

Now, you might wonder how I would showcase myself, should I ever do a television interview from my home. First of all, it wouldnt be shot in my office. That would give truth to what my wife has always said about me. Id set up a book case behind my easy chair in the living room with a picture of a clipper ship on the wall. On the shelves you would see pictures of my dogs; a copy of Mayflower, by Nathanial Philbrick; My Turn at Bat, by Ted Williams; and Drive: The Story of My life, by Larry Bird. Id include a complete set of Robert B. Parker novels, and a bunch of my own books that Ive written all face out. And Id shave.

Jim Coogan is a Register columnist. Reach him at coogan206@comcast.net.

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COOGANS BLUFF: Its all in the bookshelves - Wicked Local

Canadian singer Bryan Adams is getting dragged for a tweet where he seems to blame China and bat eating for the coronavirus outbreak.

The Summer of 69 singer said had it not been for the coronavirus, he would have begun a tenancy of gigs at the Royal Albert Hall, an iconic venue in London.

Thanks to some f*cking bat eating, wet market animal selling, virus making greedy b*stards, the whole world is now on hold, Adams tweeted late on Monday.

The singer didnt stop there. He then added that besides wanting to say thanks a f*cking lot, he wanted to tell people in China to go vegan.

The tweet has since been deleted from the singers account, but the rant is still on his Instagram account, although he has deactivated the comments.

People on Twitter are absolutely slamming him for his comments that play off the fear and the xenophobia around the mythical bat soup, which was incorrectly rumored to have caused the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Oh my god thank GOD we can cancel Bryan Adams now, writer Amil Niazi wrote. Every time Summer of 69 comes on the radio Im tempted to crash my car.

While there were some who argued Adams comments werent problematic, such as far-right commentator Ann Coulter, most people argued that the bat eating comment was racist.

I was today old when I found out Bryan Adams is a racist, Twitter user @MelaKatie wrote.

There was also a section of Twitter users who didnt know there was a difference between the singers Bryan Adams and Ryan Adams. Most said they couldnt be bothered to learn now.

Bryan Adams desperately tries to regain the f*cking worst trophy from Ryan Adams after years of fierce competition, one Twitter user wrote.

But more than anything, people are shocked that the singer has yet to apologize for his remarks and that theyre still on Instagram. Some are ready to call his career quits.

Pours out a little on the ground for Bryan Adams career, a Twitter user wrote.

READ MORE:

*First Published: May 12, 2020, 9:21 am

Sierra Juarez is a freelance journalist and fact-checker based in Mexico. She most enjoys writing about human rights and politics and working in audience engagement. Her work has appeared in the Texas Tribune, the Austin AmericanStatesman, and the San Antonio Current.

Read the original here:

80s rocker Bryan Adams blamed coronavirus on bat eating - The Daily Dot

The lockdown has left students with too much time on their hands and not enough useful things to spend it on. And you can't blame them for idling their free time watching web series and gaming when they are cooped up at home all day long. However, the good news is that since you cannot limit screen time for your kids now, you could direct them to a host of free online libraries where they could do their research for their school projects and catch up on their fiction lists in their free time as well.

Here is a list of free online libraries that may be explored during this time.

Project Gutenberg

This online resource is one of the most widely know, with hundreds of students around the world using it. Started way back in 1971 by an American author Michael Hart, the site has hundreds of books that have been carefully digitised by volunteers. Some of the books go back to 1924 and is an excellent resource of pre and post-world-war literature. There are over 62000 full texts of public domain books in categories like literature, history, sciences, art, fiction, medicine and more.

Go to: https://www.gutenberg.org/

Bibliomania

Bibliomania is an excellent resource for anyone who is of a literary bent of mind. The e-library has thousands of e-books, poems, articles, short stories and plays. It also has study guides, reference books and study guides. The site has books by authors like Charles Dickens, James Joyce, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Anton Chekov, Edgar Allan Poe and many more to whet your interest. Interact with the booklovers' community on the site to discuss books, post opinions and ask for recommendations.

Go to: http://www.bibliomania.com/

Internet Archive

The Internet Archive is the mother of all digital libraries; the non-profit offers free access to researchers, historians, scholars and the general public. The website contains more than 20 million books and texts as well as millions of web pages, audio recordings, videos and images. Over 1,000 books per day are scanned in 28 locations around the world. The site is funded by donations and grants from many organisations and private persons. So the next time you need some special resources for school or college work, this is the best place to go to. Also, rifling through the many texts, audio and video resources will keep your lockdown hours occupied.

Go to: https://archive.org/

Open Library

TheOpen Library is a part of the Internet Archive and is a wonderful resource for modern titles. It has one of the best collection of fiction for all ages and plenty of modern titles by authors like Stephen King, JK Rowling, Agatha Christie and more. This is a lending library where you can borrow a book for the duration of a fortnight. You may also have to wait a bit if your book is out in circulation. A great resource to avoid lockdown-induced boredom.

Go to: https://openlibrary.org

The Online Books Page

During the lockdown, many renowned universities across the world have opened up their online libraries. You can go to these university sites and check out if you can get access to their library resources. One such highly-regarded online library is that of the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. The University's Online Books Page has more than 2 million works for you to browse through. These books are in various reader-friendly formats and free for personal and non-commercial use.

Go to: https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu

PDF BOOKS WORLD

This website has PDF books galore and all nicely formatted so that you do not have to ruin your eyes while reading them! There is a wide variety of genres, so that there is something for everyone. From fiction, non-fiction, academic texts and papers, children's resources, the excellent collection will get you hooked! The best part is that these books are optimised for personal computers and handheld devices like tablets and mobiles. They are in legible font sizes, with illustrations and reference links.

Photo: 123rf.com

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Did You Know About These Free Online Library Resources? - Femina

Huge increases in digital database usage show residents have been getting reacquainted with the Pima County Public Library during the coronavirus pandemic.

Holly Schaffer, the community relations manager for the county's library system, said the library's online databases has seen dramatic increases during shutdowns, with much of the growth in newer services.

The most significant increase was a 6,433 percent jump in usage for the IndieFlix database in March compared to the same period in 2019. IndieFlix gives users access to independent films, documentaries and classic movies and TV through streaming.

There have also been increases in British content database Acorn, which jumped 334 percent in April when compared to the same time in 2019.

Qello a concert, music and music documentary database had a 251 percent increase in March compared to 2019.

Kanopy an international and independent film, documentary and educational database increased 181 percent in April compared to 2019.

RomanceBookCloud increased 600 percent in March compared to 2019.

Teen Book Cloud increased 245 percent from February to March.

"They are incredibly impressive for some of our digital resources and entertainment," Schaffer said.

Schaffer doesn't anticipate a substantial drop-off as people begin to venture out again.

"Keeping people in the loop via email and advertising, these are all things that we do, and I think that keeps the momentum going," she said. "Now that people have done it and know how easy it is, they'll want to recommend it to a friend and tell other people about it."

She said the library revamped the website to feature all the digital content available to cardholders during the shutdown.

"That's been something, I think, that people have been seeing and maybe we'll consider doing that more even when the stay-at-home order is lifted," she said.

More traditional online databases for books had increased usage as well.

Shaffer attributed the smaller increases in the online book databases to already being well known and having an established base of users.

"I don't think people realized you could watch live concerts or British TV or listen to music, get magazines and comic books," she said. "I think maybe the assumption is, 'Oh, I can get an e-book or audiobook, but that's not really for me.' But you have a music lover who discovers Freegal (music), and they're going to come back and see what else we have."

Jorge Encinas | 520-547-9732

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MORE THAN BOOKS: County libraries see huge increase in digital use - Green Valley News

PIERCE COUNTY, Washington The Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees will discuss how the Library System is serving communities while the library buildings are closed to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic 2019 (COVID-19) and in compliance with Gov. Jay Inslees Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order. Also, at the meeting the Board will talk about plans to reopen library buildings to the public in the coming months. Join the meetingvia conference call, 1-510-338-9438, access code: 623 788 004 #, attendee ID: #, on Wednesday, May 13, at 3:30 p.m.

At the May meeting, the Board of Trustees will conduct the following business.

Library services during the pandemic:While the Pierce County Librarys buildings are closed, the Library System is enthusiastically and actively delivering library servicesonlineand in the community. People can get and start using alibrary cardimmediately and gain access to all online library services. Online services includee-books, audiobooks, and magazinesande-sources resourcesto help with personal and professional goals, Ancestry Library, Tumblebook Library featuring animated, talking picture books, and tools for students while studying at home with real-time, online tutors.

Pierce County residents are eagerly accessing these high-valued services:

Planning for opening library buildings:Staff is preparing to reopen libraries in alignment with Governor Inslees Safe Start Washington plan to safely reopen businesses and other activities. Libraries are included in Phase 3 of the reopening plan. As many public health and government leaders are planning, the Library is also preparing to phase in the offering of services with a turning of a dial, and not flipping a switch.The Board will discussplans for staff to return to the buildings and prepare to provide service in library buildings.The Library is committed to safe and welcoming libraries for the publics use and a safe work place for staff.

More information:piercecountylibrary.org/about-us/board-trustees/board-agenda-packets/Default.htm

Excerpt from:
Pierce County Library Board discusses serving the community during the pandemic - The Suburban Times