General
How are you doing Cilia (Library Eindhoven)?
Every company is dealing with the consequences of the Corona crisis. We asked the opinion of our relations/contacts on the present and the future. The first in the series is Cilia Groothuis, Marketing - Communication Manager of the Eindhoven Library
. What impact does corona have on the work of the Library?
It has a big impact, our physical activities can’t continue during the lockdown. Think of the ‘Taalcafé’ where people learn to speak Dutch with volunteers, lectures with writers, the ‘Makersclub’, where young inventors aged 7 to 13 can learn 3D printing, soldering, building, sawing or working with electronics reading. Also the story telling in English is only online at the moment. Strolling in the library for an hour and picking out your own books, grabbing a tasty cappuccino with a toasted sandwich in the library café, ... all impossible right now.
Fortunately, members can still reserve books and we prepare them for people to collect or we deliver them at home. And we offer a lot online: digital books, audiobooks, online courses, webinars. Even the Taalcafé will continue digitally!
· Which changes due to Corona did you experience as positive?
Through the year we found out that we have a very agile organization. There is always a "plan B". We easily switched from offline to online in a short time. The library still has a lot to offer. And we found out that we are a very close community at the library with so many volunteers.
What is the first thing you want to do personally when everything ‘opens up’ again?
I really miss my gym. Of course I spend a lot of time in my head all day long. My gym also has a great online offer, but I miss the interaction with the trainers and the people around me. And I look forward to organized running events.
· What is your best personal memory of 2020?
For me personally, winning the prize for “Best Brabant Marketeer 2020 with social impact”. Really an achievement only made possible with all my colleagues.In general, I find that accomplishment so admirable and a pleasant life experience: How people keep the courage, get creative, ask for help and be there for each other. If it does not go as it should then it should go as it is sometimes.
· Finally: Which message do you want to give personally?
These words from Darwin: It's not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.
Remember: There is always a "plan B". And in the end that could turn out even better than plan A.Have confidence!