Start Date
18-11-2020 1:30 PM
End Date
18-11-2020 3:00 PM
Type of Work
Poster
Description
Objective: Our goal was to safely reopen physical library spaces at the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library for use by various Emory University user groups including students, faculty, and staff during the COVID pandemic of 2020. Because our university brought a subset of students back to campus, we felt it was important to offer safe, socially distanced seating and workstations in the library.
Methods: In collaboration with Emory University’s environmental and safety health officers, we made determinations of the number of seats that could safely be offered. Seating was removed or cordoned off or otherwise signposted. We implemented a reservations system to limit the number of people in the library at one time and to ensure that all library visitors had completed the University’s requirements for returning to campus. In addition, cleaning materials were distributed around the library for easy access by library staff and users. Library staff monitor user behavior and issue reminders as needed.
Results: We were able to open the library on July 6th at approximately 25% of our normal capacity. Students adhere to library expectations and we have been able to gradually offer additional spaces.
Conclusions: With careful planning and collaboration with other University service points, libraries can partially reopen their physical spaces and create a climate of safety, compliance, and comfort for their users.
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Health Sciences and Medical Librarianship Commons, Medical Education Commons, Other Public Health Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, Virus Diseases Commons
Open for Business: Offering Physical Library Spaces in the COVID Era
Objective: Our goal was to safely reopen physical library spaces at the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library for use by various Emory University user groups including students, faculty, and staff during the COVID pandemic of 2020. Because our university brought a subset of students back to campus, we felt it was important to offer safe, socially distanced seating and workstations in the library.
Methods: In collaboration with Emory University’s environmental and safety health officers, we made determinations of the number of seats that could safely be offered. Seating was removed or cordoned off or otherwise signposted. We implemented a reservations system to limit the number of people in the library at one time and to ensure that all library visitors had completed the University’s requirements for returning to campus. In addition, cleaning materials were distributed around the library for easy access by library staff and users. Library staff monitor user behavior and issue reminders as needed.
Results: We were able to open the library on July 6th at approximately 25% of our normal capacity. Students adhere to library expectations and we have been able to gradually offer additional spaces.
Conclusions: With careful planning and collaboration with other University service points, libraries can partially reopen their physical spaces and create a climate of safety, compliance, and comfort for their users.