BC Libraries, COVID-19 Edition, Part II

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Since the closing of BC Libraries in mid-March, BC Libraries staff are working from home and at O’Neill and Bapst Libraries to provide you with the resources and services you need. The profiles and photos in this second part of a two part series show how–like the rest of the BC community–library staff have been adapting to new and unfamiliar circumstances.

My home “workstation” is my reading chair with a pillow on my lap and a laptop on the pillow in a 700 sq. foot apartment with a husband and a very barky dog. One day a week I venture into my actual work station in O’Neill as part of the access services skeleton crew. This has been challenging but in course reserves we love making a difference to students and I love being able to help them every day.

Cindy Frueh, Course Reserves Manager, Access Services
Cindy Frueh, Course Reserves/Media Manager, Access Services, processing reserve requests at her desk in O’Neill Library
Cindy Frueh, Course Reserves/Media Manager, Access Services, processing reserve requests at her desk in O’Neill Library

I truly miss browsing the stacks. I also miss random education conversations with patrons about something funny that happened with a teacher in the classroom or dissecting children’s literature. I miss people dropping by my office just to talk.

Tiffeni Fontno, Head, Educational Resource Center

Ravioli the rescue cat has proven to be a pro at adapting to changing circumstances while I work from home: instead of chewing through my laptop charging cable as I answer chat questions from library patrons, she now tries to eat fabric scraps and maim herself on the seam ripper while I sew fabric masks for the staff still working at the library. I still haven’t been able to train her to answer any references questions, and I’m fairly certain she can’t even read. Still, she’s figured out exactly where her treat jar is, so I’m confident that with a little tutoring, she’ll be able to locate the database list on the library website soon.

Jessica Hinson-Williams, Instruction Services Librarian
Ravioli, Apprentice Safety Services Specialist, learns how to sew masks, under the capable tutelage of Jessica Hinson-Williams, Instruction Services Librarian (not pictured).
Ravioli, Apprentice Safety Services Specialist, learns how to sew masks, under the capable tutelage of Jessica Hinson-Williams, Instruction Services Librarian (not pictured).

My COVID-19 workspace has definitely felt more confining. I’ve tried out several locations at home but have yet to settle definitely on one. The workday now seems more exhausting. Being bound to the computer has taught me just how much I appreciate “interruptions,” (i.e., daily encounters with colleagues and users), which is what I miss most. As I see it, the opportunity presented by the current crisis is twofold: 1.) developing a greater facility with various technologies; and, 2.) accomplishing some important behind the scenes projects. My message for colleagues and patrons is identical: Stay safe, and I miss you!

Steve Dalton, Head Librarian, Theology & Ministry Library
Steve Dalton, Head, Theology & Ministry Library (not pictured) has experimented with three workspaces at home. One was too hard, one was too soft, and one was just right.
Steve Dalton, Head, Theology & Ministry Library (not pictured) has experimented with three work-spaces at home. One was too hard, one was too soft, and one was just right.

Needless to say, working from home during a pandemic has been stressful at times. I can get overwhelmed conducting all of my daily activities out of the same space and trying to manage the intensified modes of communication patiently, and effectively. What helps me, though, is the thoughtful messages I get from faculty, students, and other colleagues who take the time to write a caring message in an email or in an instant message. They help me to remember that how I communicate during these times is just as important as what I communicate.

Jen Butler, Senior Research Librarian/Bibliographer , Theology & Ministry Library
Jen Butler, Senior Research Librarian/Bibliographer, Theology & Ministry Library, taking a cat-break with Samson while working from home in her nice weather work space.
Jen Butler, Senior Research Librarian/Bibliographer, Theology & Ministry Library, taking a cat-break with Samson while working from home in her nice weather work space.

Working in Library Systems, I can perform most work remotely with relative ease. I don’t have a dedicated office, so I move around a lot: working on servers while sitting on the couch next to my son, doing design work at the dining table, or sitting at the kitchen counter for virtual meetings. With daycare closed, the biggest challenge has been balancing work and family time. I no longer have the benefit of clear separation. I never expected work to look like this, but having the family around also helps maintain good humor.

Luke Gaudreau, Discovery Systems Librarian, Systems
Luke Gaudreau, Discovery Systems Librarian, multitasking at home.
Luke Gaudreau, Discovery Systems Librarian, multitasking at home.

Were it not for the horrible, dire situation fueling the move to remote work, I’d be 100% happy with it.  The online meetings and consultations are going very well, the library is working so hard to meet user needs and support students and faculty in this transition, and the coffee in the staff lounge is so much better…

BC Libraries staff member
Kevin Saffo, Interlibrary Loan Lending Specialist, keeping the books coming and going in the ILL office in O'Neill Library.
Kevin Saffo, Interlibrary Loan Lending Specialist, keeping the books coming and going in the ILL office in O’Neill Library.
Luc Benjamin, Morrissey ‘21, scanning microfilm in O'Neill Library.
Luc Benjamin, Morrissey ‘21, scanning microfilm in O’Neill Library.
Lynda Musilwa, Morrissey ‘20, pulling books for scanning and ILL in O’Neill Library.
Lynda Musilwa, Morrissey ‘20, pulling books for scanning and ILL in O’Neill Library.
Sr. Maria Okeke, Lynch ‘20, pulling and shelving books for scanning and ILL in O’Neill Library.
Sr. Maria Okeke, Lynch ‘20, pulling and shelving books for scanning and ILL in O’Neill Library.
Mary Lafferty, Administrative Assistant, keeping the administrative office in O’Neill Library running on time.
Mary Lafferty, Administrative Assistant, keeping the administrative office in O’Neill Library running on time.
Nicole Kubishta, Evening Access Services Assistant, O’Neill Library, scanning for ILL and course reserves in O’Neill Library's ILL office.
Nicole Kubishta, Evening Access Services Assistant, O’Neill Library, scanning for ILL and course reserves in O’Neill Library’s ILL office.
Sally Wyman, Head, Collection Development & Research Services, overseeing a major temporary shift to connecting patrons with online materials from her home office.
Sally Wyman, Head, Collection Development & Research Services, overseeing a major temporary shift to connecting patrons with online materials from her home office.
Valdon Sewell, Morrissey ‘22, pulling and reshelving books for ILL and scanning in O’Neill Library.
Valdon Sewell, Morrissey ‘22, pulling and reshelving books for ILL and scanning in O’Neill Library.
Sarah Melton, Head, Digital Scholarship, keeping digital library initiatives running under the watchful supervision of her cat, Chimera.
Sarah Melton, Head, Digital Scholarship, keeping digital library initiatives running under the watchful supervision of her cat, Chimera.
Young Moon, Head Librarian, Resource Acquisition & Management, in his home office, a.k.a. dining room.
Young Moon, Head Librarian, Resource Acquisition & Management, in his home office, a.k.a. dining room.

Published by Steve Runge

Liaison for English Literature & Asian Studies