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Navigating chaotic
waters:
Adjusting to new working circumstances during a pandemic
Heather Fisher, Metadata / Catalog Librarian and Liaison Librarian,
Saginaw Valley State University
April 22, 2020
1

Housekeeping
? 1: Thank you to the Music Library Association and ALA Publishing for
working to get this webinar available to everyone for free.
? 2: This is being recorded and you will get a link to the recording in the
near future.
? 3: The Music Library Association will be posting the recording to their
website. Please share only what you are comfortable with sharing
knowing this recording will be public.
? 4: The content of this webinar is based on my personal experience and
shouldn��t be used in place of professional medical and psychological
advice. 2

Learning objectives
? Identify and name the emotions you��re feeling;
? Identify coping mechanisms; and
? Understand we really are all in this together.
3

Acute stress is��
? Very short-lived.
? The most commonly suffered form of stress.
? Known to cause sudden increase in heart rate and shallow breathing.
? Example: A database vendor crashes during finals week.
5

Episodic acute stress is��
? Acute stress, but for longer period of time.
? Known to cause increased risk of cardiovascular issues, weight loss or
gain, and insomnia.
? Known to make pre-existing conditions worse.
? Example: This. Michigan librarians are starting week six of working in
light of restrictions from COVID-19.
6

Chronic stress is��
? Seemingly never-ending.
? A significant increase in risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke,
dangerous coping behaviors.
? Example: My institution��s two-year-long mass weed and renovation.
7

Burnout is��
? Different than stress.
? When you feel you and the profession do not matter or make a
difference.
? When people leave the profession.
8

TELECOMMUTING, FURLOUGHS, AND
ZOOM MEETINGS, OH MY!
9

What do we do with libraries?
? Closures need(ed) to be determined.
? Closed to the public only? vs. Closed completely?
? Do people work from home?
? What about people whose jobs are not easily transferrable to
remote work?
? What about staff / patrons who rely on the library for internet
access or equipment?
? What about our materials out on loan?
? What do we do if students need materials from our physical
collection we can��t get in e-format for classes?
10

Data from www.Michigan.gov/coronavirus - Updated 4/20/20
COVID-19 in Michigan

Six weeks in the life��
? March 10: Michigan has its first two cases of COVID-19. Universities
begin stating they will move to online instruction within a week��s
time.
? March 16: My institution issues directive to have staff that can work
remotely beginning no later than March 18.
? March 23: Shelter in place order begins and will last until April 13.
? ��Libraries and museums�� specifically included in the order.
? April 13: Shelter in place order is tightened and extended to April 30.
12

So what about if you��re still open?
? According to the CDC, COVID-19 is in each state and the territories
that have chosen to report any info to the CDC.
? PPE is in short supply for many localities.
? Patrons don��t always follow the guidelines.
? Curbside service does still offer an opportunity to spread the virus.
? ALA, ACRL, and many state library organizations have called for
libraries to close.
13

What about us?
? Working from home
? We are in a completely different routine.
? There are new ��coworkers�� (both four-legged and two-legged).
? We are dealing with an extended period of time away from
students and/or patrons.
? For many staff in hot spots, you��re not going to see some of
your patrons or students again.
? How much space do you have?
? The walls are closing in for those in small spaces.
14

Suggestions for managers, department
heads, etc. �C Part 1
? Employees are not required to disclose things like anxiety to their
supervisors, unless asking for an accommodation. Please don��t assume
your staff is functioning as ��normal.��
? Their feelings about not seeing patrons or students, and their loss of
what was ��normal,�� is a type of grief.
? New ��coworkers�� sometimes don��t understand the demands placed on
your staff.
? The virus may have hit too close to home for your staff. 15

Organizations / Hotlines
? National Suicide Awareness Hotline
? 1-800-273-8255
? Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster
Distress Hotline
? 1-800-985-5990
? Find your organization��s Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
? It may include counseling.
17

Rethinking self-isolation for those who
are not immunocompromised
? The virus will kill me so I have to isolate vs. I am protecting those who
are immunocompromised and healthcare/front line workers.
18

What is this work/life balance of which
you speak?
? Mental health for those in small/studio apartments can drop during
shelter in place.
? Where you do put your work stuff if your only work space is where you
also happen to live?
? Find the sunlight.
19

Routine change
? I had to find a new ��normal�� routine through trial and error.
? I still get up and get ready as if I were going to work.
? I keep normal work hours.
? I don��t work through my lunch break.
? The work station gets turned off at the end of the work day.
? Attire vs. are you at least wearing pants when having video
conferences?
20

Where��s the Icy Hot?
? Office ergonomics does not equal home ergonomics.
? Muscular and skeletal problems can start (or get worse).
? Take smaller, frequent breaks.
? Get up and move!
? It��s also hard to work when you��re in pain and uncomfortable.
21

? Can you get outside to walk (depending on your shelter in place
order)?
? Can you do some yoga?
? Erin M. Burns (@cybrarerin) -> Yoga Yarn Arts YouTube channel (and
one of our own!!!)
? Yoga with Adriene -> On YouTube
? Down Dog app
? Exercise also helps mental health.
Movement as a helper

? I practice a meditation that is based in a faith tradition.
? Other meditation options:
? Insight Timer
? Calm
? Headspace
? Relax Melodies
Meditation / Mindfulness

? Nutrition impacts overall wellness.
? Six weeks of donuts/ice cream nutritional fuel for me.
? I notice increases in depressive/anxious moods and a decrease in
sleep quality.
? Can we find a happy medium?
Where are all the donuts?

News + social media = Overwhelming
? Watching the news and your social media feeds all the time is not
healthy.
? What are we taking in via our eyes and ears?
? I forget that things are funny.
? I need comedy tv shows and more light-hearted books.
? I need to listen to funny podcasts
? Instagram account is for cute animals!
? Recommended to have anxiety boxes at home and work.
25

The uncertain future ahead
? Library staff are scared and nervous.
? Furloughs
? Lay offs
? Budget cuts
? Lessons learned (or not) after the Great Recession
26

Suggestions for managers and
department heads, etc. �C Part 2
? Please do not give in to vocational awe.
? Please stand up for your staff when the budget cuts are threatened.
? Library staff sometimes tend to not feel like they have a voice to
speak to their value with administration. They are relying on you.
? Please stand in solidarity with your staff.
? Have the administrators in your organization called for furloughs,
but haven��t taken a pay cut themselves? Reminding them of that
is standing in solidarity with your staff.
27

Community
? Post social media content that will encourage both yourself and your
friends.
? #ProtectLibraryWorkers, #LibraryLayoffs, #LibrariesWFH on Twitter
? Advocate for your community, both patrons and staff.
? Hope: Prepare for and advocate for the difficult conversations we are
overdue to have.
? Hope: One day we��ll remember we are all part of the human family.
29

Thank you!
? Email: hgfisher@svsu.edu
? Twitter handle: @metadatacatalog
30

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Navigating Chaotic Waters: Adjusting to New Working Circumstances during a Pandemic

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