With the spread of COVID-19, some schools have already had to temporarily close and others are preparing for more wide-spread closures. Whether this comes to pass or not, you can count on school library teams to be prepared.

Even before this current threat, school libraries and the teams that work in them focus on maximum student engagement, whether that is inside the library or spread far and wide throughout the community. Many school libraries are already equipped for assisting students from home. Many school libraries have websites and social media, where they connect with students, parents and the community, sharing resources, links, research tips and new books. School libraries also often have an online library catalogue that students can browse from home.

Other school libraries have access to online collections of ebooks and audiobooks and databases. And library staff have curated collections of useful links, videos and research resources on accessible sites such as LibGuides and LearnPath.

Now, with the immediate focus on a possible need for online learning and distance learning, school library teams are reaching out to students and teachers alike to ensure they are prepared. Here are just a few of the things school library teams are doing for their schools.

• Emailing teachers with a list of online learning resources
• Creating screen capture videos on a range of "how to" topics, like accessing resources.
• Reminding students how to use Public and State Library resources, such as catalogues of online books, audiobooks, research, databases, films and music.
• Promoting the use of sites such as Clickview, which enables the sharing of video resources, and highlighting the use of quiz functions.
• Teaching students information and digital literacy skills via video conferencing
• Promoting ebook and audiobook collections
• Preparing book packs to enable students to borrow hardcopy books while away from school
• Creating "ask a librarian" tools, where staff and students can continue to get help from their school library staff remotely via chat tools
• Emailing teachers with easy-to-share information about the Coronavirus.
• Ensuring students have access to digital copies of their textbooks.

And it's not just the library team staff who are sharing and well prepared. Authors are creating and sharing virtual visits, lessons and Q&As, companies are freeing up access to online resources and library associations are sharing lists of resources.

Check out your school library's website and social media or get in touch with your school library's team to find out what online resources and services they offer.