The world is currently experiencing a global health pandemic of unprecedented proportions. The Novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is affecting people from all over the world and in all facets of daily life including educational endeavors. According to the Arizona Department of Health (2020), the virus is currently considered widespread in the state. Perhaps the most impacted in the educational field but the easiest to overlook is the public library. While most educational institutions are shifting to alternate forms of content delivery, many library administrations had no contingency plans in place for something like this which means that several libraries are being forced to remain open. This goes against the Center for Disease Control recommendation that gatherings and events of ten or more people “should be cancelled or held virtually” (Centers for Disease Control, 2020). The Chicago public libraries are one example; against the wishes of union representing the municipal employees, twenty of the states’ libraries will remain open (Sobol and Yin, 2020). In stark contrast are the Maricopa County Libraries, whose website informs patrons that the “libraries are closed until further notice” (Maricopa County Library District, 2020).
During this time, library workers across the nation have generally had to advocate for themselves. One of the more outspoken is children’s book author and librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library, Rita Meade. When Mayor Bill De Blasio was against closing the libraries to the public, she took to twitter to ask that people contact the mayor’s office to try to change his mind. She also openly alluded to the fact that the Mayor threatened to decrease funding to the library if they proceeded with the closure (Goldenburg & Rubinstein, 2020).
Working as an additional, ever-steady advocate for all libraries and library workers, the American Library Association (2020) put forth a bold recommendation that libraries across the U.S should close to the public, so that library workers and the communities they serve would be protected. Libraries are undeniably important partners in their communities that are looked to in times of stress to provide sanctuary and help separate fact from fiction. Understandably, it can be challenging when the library is closed as it limits access to literacy, outreach programs, and crucial community needs during a dire time.
Library staff and patrons alike have expressed great frustrations that plans from administration were not only not in place before a situation like this but were slow to form. Throughout my work in this course, I intend to devise an emergency preparedness plan that would ensure the library can be closed while still providing the public with as much access to the resources, information, and library services as possible. I will speak to library workers to understand their thoughts and feelings on their library being closed or remaining open, as the case may be. Additionally, I will seek out librarians who can either instruct me on implementing new policies at their location, or those who are willing to present the plan on my behalf.
REFERENCES:
Arizona Department of Health Services. (2020) COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus). Retrieved from: https://www.azdhs.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/index.html
Maricopa County Library District. (2020). Retrieved from: https://mcldaz.org/
Goldenburg, Sally & Rubinstein, Dana. (2020, March 17). De Blasio was 'furious' as library heads planned to close for coronavirus. Retrieved from: https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/03/17/de-blasio-was-furious-as-library-heads-planned-to-close-for-coronavirus-1267580
Sobol, R., & Yin, A. (2020, March 19). Chicago Public Libraries closing 61 locations as 'fearful' city workers union blasts decision to keep 20 open. Retrieved from https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-chicago-public-libraries-locations-closed-union-20200319-aogwhwuqpregjnwzz3mbju5bpy-story.html
American Library Association. (2020, March 17). ALA Executive Board recommends closing libraries to public. Retrieved from: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2020/03/ala-executive-board-recommends-closing-libraries-public
During this time, library workers across the nation have generally had to advocate for themselves. One of the more outspoken is children’s book author and librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library, Rita Meade. When Mayor Bill De Blasio was against closing the libraries to the public, she took to twitter to ask that people contact the mayor’s office to try to change his mind. She also openly alluded to the fact that the Mayor threatened to decrease funding to the library if they proceeded with the closure (Goldenburg & Rubinstein, 2020).
Working as an additional, ever-steady advocate for all libraries and library workers, the American Library Association (2020) put forth a bold recommendation that libraries across the U.S should close to the public, so that library workers and the communities they serve would be protected. Libraries are undeniably important partners in their communities that are looked to in times of stress to provide sanctuary and help separate fact from fiction. Understandably, it can be challenging when the library is closed as it limits access to literacy, outreach programs, and crucial community needs during a dire time.
Library staff and patrons alike have expressed great frustrations that plans from administration were not only not in place before a situation like this but were slow to form. Throughout my work in this course, I intend to devise an emergency preparedness plan that would ensure the library can be closed while still providing the public with as much access to the resources, information, and library services as possible. I will speak to library workers to understand their thoughts and feelings on their library being closed or remaining open, as the case may be. Additionally, I will seek out librarians who can either instruct me on implementing new policies at their location, or those who are willing to present the plan on my behalf.
REFERENCES:
Arizona Department of Health Services. (2020) COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus). Retrieved from: https://www.azdhs.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/index.html
Maricopa County Library District. (2020). Retrieved from: https://mcldaz.org/
Goldenburg, Sally & Rubinstein, Dana. (2020, March 17). De Blasio was 'furious' as library heads planned to close for coronavirus. Retrieved from: https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/03/17/de-blasio-was-furious-as-library-heads-planned-to-close-for-coronavirus-1267580
Sobol, R., & Yin, A. (2020, March 19). Chicago Public Libraries closing 61 locations as 'fearful' city workers union blasts decision to keep 20 open. Retrieved from https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-chicago-public-libraries-locations-closed-union-20200319-aogwhwuqpregjnwzz3mbju5bpy-story.html
American Library Association. (2020, March 17). ALA Executive Board recommends closing libraries to public. Retrieved from: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2020/03/ala-executive-board-recommends-closing-libraries-public