Covid-19: Library Response Group Update 19 March 2020

Kia ora koutou,

Well it’s been another interesting 24 hours.  We want to thank you all for continuing to provide Library services whether it be on campus or remotely.  We really appreciate everybody’s flexibility at this time and the additional work being put in on top of our usual routines.

How are you doing?

We acknowledge the upheaval this is creating and the uncertainty of these times.  We really want to emphasize that looking after your mental health is critical.  Managers are checking in and monitoring the wellbeing and health of their team members at this time, so please do raise any issues or concerns, even if your manager seems busy at this time.  EAP Services also provide a confidential service.  The Ministry of Health’s mental health and wellbeing advice provides these tips:

  • Spend time in places that feel safe and comfortable as much as possible
  • Tell yourself that how you are feeling is a normal reaction and will pass – it is nothing to be afraid of
  • Reach out to your usual supports – family and whānau, friends and workmates. Sharing how we feel and offering support to others is important
  • Keep to usual routines – mealtimes, bedtime, exercise and so on
  • Keep active – going to work, doing usual leisure activities and seeing friends can improve general wellbeing and help distract from distressing feelings

UC wide updates

  • Please continue to read the latest staff updates from the UC Incident team
  • Guidance for staff self-isolating is changing and we expect further information about working from home.  Read Paul O’Flaherty’s latest update for the most recent information.  We expect further information to clarify a consistent approach for staffing matters
  • Staff forum tomorrow 3:15pm Friday in C2.  If you can’t make it there will be the option to view this online
  • Ian Wright’s portfolio page contains updates relating the Library

Scenario planning

  • We are planning for a range of scenarios.  These range from mixed online/physical service delivery with staff on campus but restricted student access to full online service delivery with no people on campus
  • Managers have identified five key workstreams relating to Library: 1) Access to information services, 2) Teaching and subject support, 3) Enquiry services, 4) Learning spaces and 5) Research support
  • Your manager will be asking for your assistance very shortly to identify and scope out the essential tasks relating to each of these workstreams

Access to information resources

  • The number of publishers providing additional or unlimited electronic access to resources is increasing as Access and Collections staff, the CAUL consortium and agents (EBSCO and ProQuest) continue negotiations.

Working from home

  • Do continue to monitor and contribute to the working from home wiki page on Camelot.  Big thanks to everyone updating this content particularly eServices
  • Library managers are working on a list of tasks staff could do from home including situations where staff do not have sufficient or any computer or internet access at home
  • We expect further information about pooling UC equipment such as laptops in a centralised way where priority will be for UC staff working on essential tasks.  This may mean that staff who currently have a laptop may need to relinquish the laptop for this purpose.

Library updates

Take care,
Te Paea, Jo and Tim

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