rhedreen

If, as implied by our Provost's email, a possible response to COVID-19 could include moving courses online, some provision for library services to those courses will be required.

Much depends on the exact nature of the quarantine or other restrictions. In other similar situations I have heard of vulnerable employees being placed on a leave of absence, closing the library to the public but continuing services otherwise, allowing staff to telecommute, etc.

From conversations with librarians at other institutions who have dealt with emergencies that prevented library staff from coming in (mostly during natural disasters), I can summarize the strategies:

• It should be determined if the institution can provide additional disinfection supplies (hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, etc.)
• Supervisors should determine what work can be done remotely and which employees can work remotely (i.e. have the required equipment and/or internet services to do so).
• If employees need additional equipment (laptops, barcode scanners, etc.) that equipment should be identified and prepared.
• Provisions and practice may be needed for subject librarians to provide reference and instruction online. It should be determined who can provide video conferencing vs. web chat, for instance, based on equipment, connections, skills, and experience. Practice sessions can be arranged.
• Assuming that some staff are allowed in with the physical collections, protocols for requesting scans of library materials need to be established. -If staff are not allowed into the building, then extra budgetary resources may be needed for ILL and document delivery.

A useful article summarizing the library response to the 1918 pandemic and with planning advice is “In Flew Enza” from American Libraries (Quinlan, 2007).

Advance planning provides the best defense against emergencies and reduces stress for both employees and patrons.

Quinlan, N. J. (2007). In flew Enza. American Libraries, 38(11), 50–53.