Library managers have developed the following service framework for the red traffic light phases. This post clarifies principles and how to prioritize our services during the Omicron outbreak.
Note that these phases are those determined by the University, not the Government phases. As of writing, UC is in phase one and SMT have not communicated an intention to move phases. While we are officially still in Phase 1, from Monday 28 February library teams will officially be working in two teams (aka bubbles) to cover the week.
Service Framework in the 3 Phases
| Red Phase 1 – Stamp it out | Red Phase 2 – Flatten the curve | Red Phase 3 – Manage it |
| · Online services available
· All Libraries open · 1 m distancing · Building capacity limits – 700 PJH, 150 EPS, 35 MB · Consultations online only · Teaching – face to face with online option · Community access incl. external borrowers – PJH · Macmillan Brown visitors – By request · EPS – students and staff only · Te Rua MakerSpace online/in person |
· Online services available
· All Libraries open if staff available · 1 m distancing · Building capacity limits – 700 PJH, 150 EPS, 35 MB · Two teams to cover week: Team A Sunday-Tuesday, Team B Wednesday to Saturday · Back up teams working from home to cover services if required · Consultations online only · Teaching – online · Community access incl. external borrowers – PJH (until 4th March) · EPS – students and staff only · Macmillan Brown visitors – By request (if Library is open) · Te Rua Makerspace online/in person |
· Online services available
· PJH open as priority, reduced hours · 1 m distancing · Building capacity limits – 100 PJH · Two teams to cover week, Team A Sunday-Tuesday, Team B Wednesday to Saturday · Back up teams working from home to cover services if required · Consultations online only · Teaching – online · External borrowers – no · Macmillan Brown visitors – no · Te Rua MakerSpace – online only · Interloans and distance – online – print services limited |
| · QR code scanning mandatory
· Masks mandatory · Vaccine certificates mandatory |
· QR code scanning mandatory
· Masks mandatory · Vaccine certificates mandatory |
· QR code scanning mandatory
· Masks mandatory · Vaccine certificates mandatory |
Principles for Prioritisation of Services
- The library’s priority is to maintain the services that have the most impact on students: study spaces, teaching, learning support (AskLIVE, 1-1 support, information resource accessibility).
- The situation is fluid so it is not possible to priority rank each library service, as it depends on the reason the service is being requested.
- We all need to be flexible, prioritising our work tasks by what will have the most impact on students.
Examples of Prioritisation
- Responding to student queries and maintaining study spaces is a higher priority than marketing activities.
- Document delivery requests for teaching and learning by UC staff/students are a higher priority than supplying interloans to other institutions.
- Supporting ELS in keeping libraries and AskLIVE open is a higher priority than supplying research services.
- Keeping the libraries open and responding to enquiries is a higher priority than collection and project work.
- Resolving access issues is a higher priority than long-term accessibility improvement work.
- Digitisation requests for LEARN are a higher priority than book ordering and long-term digitisation work.