Photo provided by Janko Ferlič on Unsplash.
By Alexandra Gonzalez ’23, staff writer
The Vernon & Doris Bishop Library (Bishop Library) has made several changes to meet CDC guidelines and to keep its pages and spaces safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Becky Chanas, a Bishop Library library technician, took the time to speak with La Vie about these changes.
As soon as the Bishop Library learned that the LVC administration had decided to send students home to keep them all safe, they immediately started to make arrangements for students without computer options to take the library’s laptops home with them. They also set the book drop out in front of the library, making it convenient for students to return items before leaving campus.
The Bishop Library staff transitioned to working at home along with LVC students. Library staff started to work towards giving the LVC community as much access to the Open Educational Resources (OER) and electronic information as possible. They also started prioritizing processing articles through interlibrary loan.
Bishop Library’s three librarians were readily available to assist with technical issues in setting up remote classes and to answer any questions from students or faculty.
“We tried our best to respond to questions as soon as possible, often after the regular workday,” Chanas said. “We knew the stress the students and faculty were feeling with all the abrupt changes. Due dates for any items that were checked out were extended until late in the semester, in anticipation of returning in a few weeks.”
Yet, it soon became clear that returning to campus in the near future would not be the case.
“When it was determined we would not be returning in the spring, we made arrangements for the return of all items for those students who were graduating or who had let us know they would not be returning in the fall,” Chanas said. “All other due dates were extended until after [the] fall semester was scheduled to begin.”
In June, Chanas and Michelle Graby, a Bishop Library library technician, were permitted to return to work in the library. The library was still closed to patrons.
However, the library was able to offer curbside pickup, either as a drive up and grab or a no-contact delivery with bags placed in the parking lot behind the library. The library was also able to mail items to the LVC community.
Chanas, Graby and other library staff members spent the summer reading up on all of the CDC guidelines and researching the best options for reopening the library amid COVID-19 conditions.
In order to leave enough space for the counseling department outside of the quiet study rooms four, five and six’s doors, they moved and removed two rows of books on the upper level. In addition, three study rooms became unavailable to students in order to make room.
The department relocated to allow students to visit counselors without being exposed to the students with COVID-19 symptoms visiting the health center.
They measured six-foot spacing between all seating and removed many chairs to adhere to guidelines. Signs are posted on tables designating where students were allowed to sit, and directional signs are posted on floors.
All study rooms had a limited capacity of one to two students. Signs posted on the doors of each room noted these numbers in order to maintain social distance.
Some of the most noticeable signage in the library were the reminders for students to wear face masks at all times.
“The biggest change that has been implemented is the mandate to wear masks at all times and to stay six feet apart,” Chanas said. “This change has made collaboration a challenge.”
The library took several other initiatives over the summer, including ordering Plexiglass dividers for the circulation desk, purchasing hand sanitizer for a standing station at the library entrance and the front desk and completing renovations on the Frock conference room, which few people have had the chance to see.
“The library staff really looked forward to the fall and the return of students to campus,” Chanas said.
During the fall semester, the library was one of the few departments to have all staff full-time in-person.
With extremely limited in-person activities and dorm restrictions, staff attempts to make the library a safe environment for students to socialize in. Even though Metz decided to keep Bishop Brews closed in the fall, the library allowed students to quickly eat and drink at individual tables in the booth area. Masks are required as soon as the student finished their food and beverages.
There were no student workers due to the risk of coming into contact with people at the circulation desk. Without student workers, Bishop library staff took turns providing weekend coverage at the circulation desk.
In an attempt to keep everyone safe, staff ensured that students were wearing their masks properly by doing routine walk-throughs of the library.
Over this time, the CDC issued recommendations for cleaning surfaces. In addition to the housekeeping staff’s use of Virex to clean surfaces in the morning, the library implemented a schedule for the library staff to clean with Virex three different times throughout the day.
“Most people were probably not aware that the library staff have been cleaning the library with Virex three times a day to keep our students safe,” Chanas said.
Door handles, light switches, tables, chairs, keyboards and mice were also cleaned. Carts with cleaning supplies were placed on each floor for students’ use.
When the library reopened in the fall, they started a four-day book quarantine. All returned items sat for four days before they were reshelved.
Physical reserves of library items are unavailable due to the short turn-around time that would be needed. Library staff assisted professors in searching for and obtaining electronic resources for their classes’ use. White boards and markers were also unavailable for checkout.
Unfortunately, the College sent students home earlier than they had originally planned to due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. Bishop library staff continued to work in-person, except for a brief holiday break.
During the spring semester, library student workers returned with LVC students.
“Bishop Brews opened,” Chanas said. “The library allowed food and drink in study rooms as long as social distancing was maintained and masks were put back on quickly.”
A new room was created on the lower level of the library.
After spring break, the directional signs were removed. The CDC revised their stance on the probability of contracting COVID-19 from surfaces. This update has caused library staff to cut back on surface cleanings.
In the future, LVC plans to continue prioritizing OER and electronic resources for their students.
When asked about the library’s ability to host events over the COVID-19 pandemic, Chanas said, “We had very few events in the library during the fall semester. The classroom and event spaces are being utilized a little more this semester.”
Although the past year has brought about many changes, most of Chanas’ responsibilities have remained the same. Yet, there has been a greater emphasis placed on expanding the library’s electronic resources. This new focus has resulted in the cut of several physical titles that no longer need to be processed and maintained. Staff are also responsible for daily cleanings.
“The librarian’s role has not changed during the pandemic,” Chanas said. “Maureen Bentz, Julia Harvey and Donna Miller have continued to provide exceptional research assistance and bibliographic instruction for students and faculty.”
When asked if there is anything else she would like to say, Chanas said, “The library staff is an outstanding group of people who excel at providing resources for the LVC community. I love my job.”
