April 27, 2020
Ivan Gaetz
Since publishing our fall 2019, Newsletter, it’s no overstatement to say we have experienced
tectonic shifts for UW Libraries, the University, the State of Wyoming, the country
as a whole, and indeed, the world! We have entered a new reality, at least for the
next several months and perhaps well into next year.
COVID-19
Due to the Coronavirus health crisis, since mid-March, the University has closed to
students and the general public. All classes have moved online and all University
meetings and events have been canceled or made available via Zoom. Because UW Libraries
anticipated some of these changes even in February, we were prepared to transition
quite well to remote services and resources. We quickly ramped up scanning operations
for print materials not available for purchase online, and delivered them electronically
to faculty rushing to set up online courses. Scanning is also available to faculty
for their own research and to students as needed. Our skilled team has also “ripped”
videos for online access.
Most of our employees transitioned to work from home in order to provide library services
remotely to students and faculty. Our Libraries’ Employee Support Committee developed
ways for our employees to support each other and remain connected while physically
apart.
As Wyoming and other states begin to ease isolation and stay-at-home orders, the University
has developed a method to map out various policies for opening the campus bit by bit.
In conjunction with this, UW Libraries is developing various scenarios for expanding
more access to print materials.
In reopening campus, the top priority will be the safety of our employees. We are
mandated by the UW Board of Trustees to do everything possible to ensure folks at
UW remain healthy while still ready to serve.
Spring Meetings of Library Council and the Library Development Board
Typically, during the spring semester, our Library Council and Library Development
Board meet in Coe Library earlier and later in April, respectively. These meetings
occurred via Zoom for the Council and through email for the Board. While we all miss
in-person interactions, our business still gets done. For instance, the Board will
continue its discussion of the “Author Event” as we reassess its purpose and future.
Options have been presented to the Board for their consideration.
New Appointments
Since the beginning of 2020, we have been able to replace or fill newly reconstructed
positions. These include:
-
Everett Gaither, Office Assistant, Sr., to help manage administrative responsibilities
(February 10)
-
Sabrina Heuschkel, Library Assistant, Sr., to help process library acquisitions (March
9)
-
Susan Wynne, Discovery & Metadata Librarian, assisting in our Resource Discovery and
Management Division (April 16)
-
David Brown, Regional Medical Librarian, assisting in library services to medical
units state-wide (May 1)
-
Jennifer Strayer, Collection Development Librarian, assisting in the Resource Discovery
and Management Division (May 26).
We are delighted to have these skilled employees join our UW Libraries team. Welcome!
Donor Support
Special thanks are extended to our wonderful donors who continue to support UW Libraries
and the University as a whole. Not only do their financial contributions help us
do what we could not do otherwise to ensure quality higher education at UW, their
support truly bolsters morale and inspires all to do their best, especially as we
face various financial uncertainties.
I have to say, during this COVID-19 health crisis, our amazing UW Libraries team has
really stepped up and met the challenges. Moving fully to online service and resources
occurred very well; librarians now respond to and reach out to students and faculty
on a daily basis, and we look forward to the completion of the semester. However,
we all still miss the energy and excitement that students bring to our libraries—on
average, 2,000 visits per day. We look forward to the fall when our library users
physically return.
In the meantime, best wishes for spring and summer, 2020!
Ivan Gaetz
Dean of Libraries
