Library Tech Staff Response to COVID-19

Wednesday, 8/5/2020
  • 2:00 PM (Eastern)
  • 1:00 PM (Central)
  • 12:00 PM (Mountain)
  • 11:00 AM (Pacific)

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Libraries are taking the necessary precautions to create a safe environment during the pandemic. Social distancing isn’t the only solution, but providing access to loanable technologies, including handling and quarantine of equipment, cleaning, and other safety and health concerns are just some of the measures put in place.  

With the ongoing disruption to library services caused by COVID-19, what reopening planning policies should be considered for usage?

In this free 90-minute presentation, our presenters will share tips that will be helpful to other librarians before and after libraries reopen.

The presenters will also talk about the evolution of the phased plan from the establishment of a temporary computer lab in the library as COVID-19 began to spread in March 2020, to the current phased approach for gradual reopening. Justin will also offer insight into managed access, technology and services, workflows, messaging, and expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

View the recording (MP4) and slides

Learning Outcomes

Learning objectives for this program include:
  • Safety measures to consider (limitation in time and distance consideration)
  • Using free Wi-Fi and offering Hotspots 
  • New policies
  • Cleaning and sanitizing
  • Our patron reactions
  • Soft opening vs. complete opening
  • Things that we’ve changed since reopening, what we might have done differently
  • How to keep patrons and staff safe in the current environment
  • Staff feelings and training to make sure they feel included and are safe enough

Who Should Attend

Any library workers, technology workers and administrators interested in learning the latest strategies for library reopening.

Presenters

Elisandro Cabada

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Elisandro Cabada is an Assistant Professor and the Medical and Bioengineering Librarian at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he provides emerging technology services to support higher education. His research interests include studying the barriers to access, affordances, and integration of emerging and immersive technologies in research and instruction.

 

Justin Kovalcik

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Justin D. Kovalcik has served as a Circulation Manager, Computer Lab Manager, Microsystems Analyst, Systems Analyst, Librarian Web Developer, Library Academic Advisor, and currently as Director of Library Information Technology at California State University, Northridge. Previously, Justin has worked for the University of Houston, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and The National Military Academy of Afghanistan. In his current role for the CSUN University Library, he directs Library IT operations and has the unique responsibility and challenge of managing and administering the first Automated Storage & Retrieval System (AS/RS) used by a library in the world. Justin also chairs the Library Technology Committee, Makerspace Advisory Group, co-chairs the Safety Team, and serves on the Library’s Space Team and campus Technology and Infrastructure Services Committee. He was recently appointed as the Library's COVID-19 Coordinator and has been appointed to the campus wide COVID-19, CSUNasOne Technology Workgroup.

Justin can be contacted at Justin.Kovalcik@csun.edu or through LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdkovalcik/.

 

Sara Ramezani

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Sara Ramezani is Assistant Director for Popular Services at Cabell County Public Library in Huntington, WV, and worked there since May 2005. She has worked as a cataloger, reference librarian, and substitute librarian for school systems in Europe and Middle East from 1993 to 2004. She has experience in staff training, programming, collection development, web designing, and currently, manages the circulation department at the main library. She also coordinates the WV-READS digital consortia one the largest consortia in WV.  Sara is an active member of the West Virginia Library Association and the American Library Association.

Registration

Cost

This webinar was free.

 

How to Register

Registration has closed, but the recording is available for free. View recording here

 

Tech Requirements

Live, synchronous lectures require attendee participation via internet audio. Attendees will need a high-speed internet connection (preferably wired) and a headset or speakers. We recommend attendees use headsets connected to their computers during webinars.All attendees are muted but can use the built-in chat function to communicate with presenters. The use of computer speakers with a microphone is not recommended, as this can cause echoes.The recommended browser is Mozilla Firefox, although other current browsers should also work.

Please contact us at lita@ala.org at least 10 days in advance if you require an accommodation.

Contact

For all other questions or comments related to the webinar, contact LITA.