Do you think university libraries are essential?

[louderthan1]

Because the government seems to and so do university bosses.
I work in a uni library and at the moment we are open.

Students have to book a study space online, but once they're booked in they are free to browse shelves for books.
First day back yesterday and it was surprisingly busy.
There are strict social distancing regulations in place, they have to wear masks at all times etc etc but not all of them are complying.

I think students have had a really rough time this year and obviously aren't getting the full university experience, socially or academically. But that is the responsibility of university management and the government to address, not library staff on relatively low wages.

Most of the staff in my office use public transport so are putting themselves at additional risk in that way as well.

I just think it's so dangerous and irresponsible for us to be open, I don't see how it can be justified. During lockdown in March/April/May we were closed, it was hard but we managed. We provided extra online resources, purchased ebooks on request etc.

However I'm aware that I'm not a student or parent of a student who has been massively disadvantaged already, so I don't have a stake in it in that way.

What do you think?

Given that we students are being expected to produce the same quality of work, without the usual level of input and support yes I fucking do.

I got a grade back today that's 20 marks lower than my usual grades. I couldn't access material or properly speak with the tutor about the assignment.

Working in the library doesn't require ANY contact with students at all. Don't take away the last bloody resource we've got when we're still getting into 9k of debt a year for it!

@louderthan1

Also I would never suggest libraries should close long term, just til the new strain is under control a bit more and the vaccine programme is up and running, and we've put better safety measures in place.

How do you define or measure any of that though?

The vaccine programme is already 'up and running'. Do you think students should have to do without libraries - on top of missing out on so much else - until everyone is vaccinated?

Yes, not all material is online and most students won't be able to afford to buy the books that they need. Click and collect rather than browsing is sensible though.

I am concerned yes, because I live with someone in a vulnerable category, so if I were to catch covid it would be dangerous for them.
This is probably colouring my judgement a bit.

Realistically I don't know if I can justify going into work because of this, but obviously it puts extra pressure on my colleagues if I don't go in.

It seems that we are going to remain open so I'll have to make that decision soon I suppose.

@CarolEffingBaskin I've had the same with my grades. 20% difference.

Essential.

It does at the moment. We check their bookings on their phones and we manually issue books if they have forgotten their library cards, we answer IT and other queries because we want to help as much as we can.

No they’re not essential & it’s ridiculous they have to open.

@Ebhc I've sobbed today. Multiple children home learning until god only knows when (one of whom needs constant supervision as SN but not enough to go in), a timetable that means I have lectures every day and I still have 3000 words to write for last semester by Monday. I don't know how the fuck to do any of this anymore.

I would say they should be open for booked study space and collection of ordered books only. No browsing. Masks essential.

@louderthan1

I am concerned yes, because I live with someone in a vulnerable category, so if I were to catch covid it would be dangerous for them. This is probably colouring my judgement a bit.

Realistically I don't know if I can justify going into work because of this, but obviously it puts extra pressure on my colleagues if I don't go in.

It seems that we are going to remain open so I'll have to make that decision soon I suppose.

That's something for you to discuss with your employers. It's not an argument in favour of academic libraries not being 'essential'.

I am a nursing student at UWS and all of the text available to me in books is pretty much available online too. I also have dyslexia support and as I wasn’t happy meeting in the library we meet via zoom or teams, so IMO no it is not essential. There’s nothing you can’t do is an online platform/ teams sharing/ journals online

@3u33y

I am a nursing student at UWS and all of the text available to me in books is pretty much available online too. I also have dyslexia support and as I wasn’t happy meeting in the library we meet via zoom or teams, so IMO no it is not essential. There’s nothing you can’t do is an online platform/ teams sharing/ journals online

That's great if it works for you, but surely you understand that that is not the case in all discliplines, as has been pointed out above?

@bathsh3ba

No I don't, especially now that so much material can be accessed online but seeing as postgraduate research students are being told no further extensions to funding or end dates, they will be screwed if libraries aren't open.

Not everything can be accessed on line. If Universities are to be open - and at present they are - then the Library needs to be open too.

I*cedPurple
*
I didn't say it was. Somebody asked if I was concerned for myself so I was explaining.

And I am happy to admit that it is colouring my judgement somewhat.

Given that universities have made big cutbacks in recent years - something which is going to accelerate given the loss of income due to the pandemic - I'm not sure it's wise for people to argue that their jobs are not essential. The university authorities might be happy to agree with them.

[quote CarolEffingBaskin]@Ebhc I've sobbed today. Multiple children home learning until god only knows when (one of whom needs constant supervision as SN but not enough to go in), a timetable that means I have lectures every day and I still have 3000 words to write for last semester by Monday. I don't know how the fuck to do any of this anymore.[/quote]
I'm so sorry, it's an absolute nightmare and there's been no consideration for student parents.

There are clear one way systems marked out but I regularly see people stepping over or ducking under barriers.

Which really doesn't matter if it's not heaving with people and they're not breaching social distancing. It's pedantic rules like that which cause more widespread "rule" breaking. One way systems are only relevant if there are lots of people around as they help with social distancing. If someone can maintain social distancing when they duck under a barrier, then no harm done, so there really is no problem.

Ffs those poor books are going to be infected

At the uni I work at, we've found that the students who used the library needed it more for a quiet place with WiFi to study , rather than to access the books. So instead of insisting the library be open (and the poor staff having to come in on public transport, then sitting in the library all day with all windows open), quiet study spaces could have been made available elsewhere in the building.

IMO a clear case of making policy before collecting data...

I’m surpised you are asking that question as a librarian @louderthan1.

I was a student at uni last year. I’m also a teacher at uni (obviously two different subjects!).
Access to the library is very important. Nothing is replacing the browning of the books to find what you are looking for. And having them on a clock and collect basis doesn’t help with that. You are then more likely to have books out that aren’t useful and therefore more students with no access too what they need.

The fact so many students are coming in just proves that!

I get that you have an issue with safety. But you are taking the wrong end of the stick imo.
Because let’s be honest, if you argue (as a librarian) that there is no need for a library and for students to actually use them, you might as well look for another job quickly. And wonder what on Earth you have been doing all those years.

Presumably sd is in place, screens are up and if students aren't wearing masks they can be challenged. I imagine university libraries are far quieter than usual and this all mitigates against potential risks.

Many students have less than optimal study circumstances at home or in their rented accommodation. Further the government has bot extended any financial support to universities so far.

Presumably there is less contact in a library than a supermarket but retails has to remain open. Whilst students continue to pay fees to access learning resources they are simply exercising their contractual right to receive what they have paid for. Blended learning goes some way to meet this expectation but assessment arising from it cannot necessarily be completed without library resources.

I imagine many hospitality workers, etc, would be very happy to work in a library but I am sorry if you feel vulnerable. Has your manager completed a risk assessment with you?

[quote CarolEffingBaskin]@Ebhc I've sobbed today. Multiple children home learning until god only knows when (one of whom needs constant supervision as SN but not enough to go in), a timetable that means I have lectures every day and I still have 3000 words to write for last semester by Monday. I don't know how the fuck to do any of this anymore.[/quote]
I feel for you. I was in that place during the first lockdown. It sucks.

I am in the same situation as you, OP.

Our students are only intermittently observing social distancing and our new procedures. They're young, many of them have already had Covid, and of course it's difficult for anybody to maintain a high level of caution day after day.

We have been instructed not to challenge anybody without a mask, or anybody who has removed their mask. The students are in bubbles so it is often unclear whether they should be distancing from each other or not.

I work in a departmental library and the majority (say 70-80%) of the readers who come in now are studying entirely unrelated subjects. We are not having to do much reshelving. It's clear that what we are offering at the moment is a convenient/different place to work rather than essential books.

We have several library staff who are in vulnerable categories and are not working onsite. This puts more pressure on those of us who can still come in, and many of us are in our 50s or older. Since this is a university town, housing is very expensive so most people have long commutes on public transport.

I do not feel safe at work, and I hate wearing a mask all day. I am not using any of my professional skills or subject knowledge; I am mostly tidying up and providing basic security.

Since teaching is almost entirely online, the support staff who are needed to keep buildings open and provide services in person seem to be routinely overlooked by the university management.

However, I have two DC at university and I know libraries are very important, offering not just resources but some daily structure and purpose, as well as a friendly welcome.

It's a really difficult balance. We were open throughout the November lockdown and I think at that point it was the right decision. This time, knowing that our local hospital is dangerously full, the risk seems too high. I think we should close again until local infection rates go down.

I'm not entirely sure what the new guidance is for our university library but prior to the lockdown I believe we had to order the books and collect them and were not allowed to browse the shelves.
Could this be something you could suggest that you do?