FROM THE LIBRARIAN

48

Here’s a brief résumé of how we maintained library service provision for our residents and for those who needed us from a distance in the difficult year that 2020 turned out to be.

Such uncertainty was the first major emotion. On the 19th March I was advising students that we intended to be open throughout the vacation. On the 20th I was advised that we would be staying open, but by 24th, it was definite, we had to close. Due, or rather, thanks to one particular graduate student having personal computer difficulties, it was decided that with appropriate rules and behaviours, our 2 computer suites would be allowed to stay open. They remained so throughout lockdowns after our IT staff had disabled a suitable amount of them so that users had to maintain socially distanced working practices. They were well-used – keeping these rooms open was definitely a good decision that was appreciated by those who have been here all along.

Apart from that, all of our services were to be requested, discovered and delivered online. Tracey our Library Assistant was on furlough, so I lost my companion and sounding board and I worked from home for the first few weeks. At first there was a lot of searching for electronic information, not easily findable by the average student, with varying levels of success. But as many other librarians were also working online, in Cambridge, the UK and beyond, little nuggets of success emerged to keep my spirits up. I learned a fair bit, discovered new resources and was able to guide students to discover their subject resources in Cambridge and beyond. I felt appreciated and I also enjoyed email conversations with students who had escaped home to far-flung places, and was happy to explore and find articles in previously undiscovered resources. It might have been a tricky and emotionally unsettling time, but new discoveries and connections meant it was also a time for learning and the rewards of achievement in spite of the situation! Scan and Deliver, Click and Collect, book recommendations and purchases have all been provided and gradually the return to work meant I have reclaimed my dining room – well almost!

Throughout, there has been a great deal of mutual librarian support from colleges, departmental and faculty librarians and from the UL. Very early on the ebooks@ cambridge team issued a form so that we could all recommend ebooks for purchase, and all college librarians continued sharing details of what they were doing, learning and supplying. Lone working at home became quite a companionable place. Regular encouraging bulletins “from the top” helped with feelings of isolation with the Vice-Chancellor and the University Librarian keeping us all up to date. College Librarians met regularly via Teams and College staff via Zoom – another learning opportunity which provided welcome face to face communications.

From the early days, planning for safe re-opening started and the digital library community provided a wealth of information on all aspects. Attending online seminars, I learned how they delivered kerbside services in Wisconsin (wearing lots of PPE) and quarantined returned books in Denmark, but the best was “How to reopen your toilets” with advice from the Manager of the National Arboretum Visitor Centre!

It was a long summer of preparation for re-opening and for Michaelmas Term: investigating, planning, re-planning, consultation, further re-planning etc.etc.. Thankfully our large building, beautifully designed, has offered nearly 100 study spaces which comply with social distancing rules and so we have been able to open without a restrictive booking system. Our fantastic housekeeping team have delivered a thorough service to keep us all safe and so we have been able to be open from 9.30 a.m. until 2 a.m.

Freshers’ induction to library services sessions had to change from hands-on in a temporary computer training room with up to 16 students for 30 minutes at a time, to brief socially distanced

talks (through a mask and visor) showing how they can use their phones as bespoke search engines to locate books in iDiscover, the University wide resource and library management system. I learned how to make videos of myself passing on information – though there was a lot of trial and error (and time) involved on that one!

So although it has been a difficult time, we have kept a service going throughout it, learning safer, better ways of doing things that our users need, and a whole lot more besides. New skills have been acquired, patience has been tried, and plans have come to fruition. Exams have been passed, theses have been submitted, new students have arrived and settled into Fitz. Successes have been celebrated.

Now we’ll ALL keep going, learning and developing, growing new skills and relationships and appreciating each other – as we’ll need to, until we all get through this time of restrictions, regulations and (still) uncertainty. So, challenging and tough for everyone but opportunities for change and improvement are always there and if you approach with a positive attitude and a convincing smile, no one will know how hard it might have been.

Chris RobertsLewis

Librarian 49