'Reading, not rioting'

I came cross this excellent piece celebrating public libraries in the unlikely setting of Apollo magazine. Unfortunately it's hard to argue that libraries have been vital in the Covid crisis, as they've been closed and locked along with virtually everything else. Let's hope, though, that in the aftermath they find a new role and a new way ahead – and get decent funding again. Other local government facilities have certainly proved vital in the crisis, notably public parks – I've never seen them so full of people and life. It's as if the locals hadn't realised what was on their doorstep until lockdown made them look closer to home for their outdoor pleasures.

The Apollo piece contains an interesting account of the 'infected books' panic (which I've written about before).