NASHUA – COVID-19’s impact on libraries goes far beyond books.

The shuttering of public libraries puts a strain on communities, where older people, those who make the library part of their daily routine and even displaced individuals experiencing housing instability now have nowhere to go.

At the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St., with its doors closed and parking lot empty, is eerily quiet and desolate.

As thousands of libraries across the country have closed due to the novel coronavirus disease, the city library here is doing its best to offer online services and entertainment streaming alternatives.

Carol Luers Eyman, outreach and marketing librarian, knows the woes that a closed library means. And for many, a library card is more than just a means of checking out a book – it’s a release from the bustle – or tediousness – of daily schedules.

“I think it’s terribly unfortunate that so many don’t have a place to gather,” she said. “I don’t really know what they’re doing instead. I do know there were quite a few people out on the plaza right after we closed in March, maybe because of Wi-Fi. And a lot of them who came to the library every day don’t have any place to go.”

The Library of Congress led the charge last month, announcing it would close all its facilities to the public, until further notice. To date, more than 3,000 U.S. libraries have followed suit.

Eyman said that people are inquiring as to how to get a library card online and reminded that folks not to try to return materials, as the book depositories are closed. She also asked that people not leave materials outside.

The social importance of libraries is certainly not lost on Eyman and other library staffers.

“I think many of the people who come in every day are also the people who don’t have online access,” she noted.

Even with Gov. Chris Sununu’s stay-at-home proclamation, library staffers still are available for the public, as they themselves work remotely from home.

“We’re pretty fast about responding,” Eyman said. “Something new that we have started is a program in conjunction with the police and the fire departments. There’s actually a Nashua Public Library YouTube channel, where kids can watch videos of police officers and firefighters reading stories.”

There also is a reading program for children, where raffle prizes awarded include rides in a Nashua police S.W.A.T. vehicle or fire truck.

“This spring, we just started having a story hour once a month,” Eyman said. “Sadly, we only had the chance to do it once. Mayor (Jim) Donchess was our guest reader, but we had planned on having a police officer and firefighter come in as well.”

“Live” story hours might air on “E-TV,” on Channel 99 on Comcast. Stay tuned, Eyman said.

Shortly after the library closed, a man was trying to return books and visit the library and realized he couldn’t. (The library is not assessing fines for late materials during the pandemic.)

“This is one of the few places that anybody can go without having to buy something,” he said. “You can use the bathroom or get warm.”

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