We have been chatting with members about the work they are doing during this time of pandemic. And, not surprising: it is a LOT of different things!

We are sharing a few stories here from different libraries. I’ve removed the names and schools from these reports; but if you see something you want to ask about, I will put you in touch with the library staffers who are doing the work!

And we really want to keep gathering information on library work! We want to record you chatting with us about your library experience. Let’s take about ten minutes or so, and do a Zoom chat. You can email us at admin @ cmle . org.

And also just email in reports about your library. The more information we can share across all our libraries, the better informed we will all be on what to do next.

We will also be sending out a survey to our school library members, so be looking for that!

• “I have been working a lot to support teachers that are making the transition to teaching online. Helping them learn how to navigate Google Classroom, Flipgrid and other sources. I have been one of the key go-to people in my building.  I’m also not working on creating a Tech Toolbox for our youngest students (5th grade), to help them with technology they are still learning. I’ve been both tech support and integration support. 
• On top of that I’ve been trying to still find ways to promote literature and reading. I’m gathering resources, sharing with teachers and running my own Google Classroom and Google Site to share with as many students as I can. 
• Lastly – on the first day of distance learning – I was the contact given to parents for any issues that arose. I helped the parents I could help and filtered the rest to the people that could help them. My admin then used all that to help decide what needed to be changed or taught etc in our distance learning. Of course I was only one part of those decisions, but I helped give information to help with those decisions.”

• ” Created a “virtual library” that is full of resources for students/families to utilize to gain access to books, activities (I added your link), and other literacy-related things. 
• I do three school news broadcasts a week to keep our students, staff, and community connections strong.  My broadcast certainly has a social-emotional focus. 
• We do a weekly photo contest, a weekly Flipgrid sharing opportunity, messages from our administration, a social-emotional video/meditation piece, digital Rock Star nominations for student recognition, and a weekly Tech Tip.  Students are collaborating with me, too. 
• Right now I am planning a digital talent show. 
• I do a couple of book clubs through Google Meet.
• I answer questions in regards to book recommendations and resources from students and staff.
• I have Google Meets and keep connected with my advisory group.”

• “We have turned off any automatic emails that told parents books were overdue. We actually had teachers check out books for their students so when families came to pick up belongings, they’d have books to read. With that said, we aren’t sure how or when we’ll be able to collect books.
• We are currently trying to inventory, but with so many books off the shelves, we aren’t getting an accurate inventory. 
• We are sharing lots of ebook options with families and teachers, but would love to be able to get paper books into kids’ hands, we just aren’t sure how to do that or if that’s a smart idea (in terms of books lost, budgets, etc.–we obviously know it’s always smart to give kids books). “

• “*working with district tech to provide Chromebooks to students,
• *increasing the number of digital books available through Sora for middle school and high school students*sharing online resources (i.e. TrueFlix, PebbleGo) with staff at various buildings
• *wrapping up Maud Hart Lovelace and Star of the North programs at elementary schools and middle school
• *creating Resources from the Media Center webpages at the elementary schools
• *communicating with Media Center paraprofessionals and admin about Media Center happenings and resources
• *providing items for principals’ weekly newsletters (this week I will be promoting the new book club, One Book One Minnesota)
• *working with paraprofessionals on updating/cleaning up items in Follett  
• *drafting up a plan for curbside pickup if the closure continues beyond May 4

“I have had both positive and negative experiences during distance learning. A good thing about distance learning is I have been forced to finally spend some quality time promoting our digital collection and resources to staff and students. I do this regularly with our databases, but I am now curating ebook reading lists for students and highlighting ebooks that teachers can use in their distance lessons. I have also spent more time working on social media outreach to students in addition to using our school platforms to promote our digital collection.

A negative impact of distance learning has been the closure of our print collection for student checkout. Based on the usage statistics I can see for our digital collection, not many students are engaging with our ebooks. I am sad that students are not reading as much as they were when buildings were open. Our print collections are so important. They provide access to reading material for every student in our building–no internet, device, or public library card needed. Our print collections eliminate barriers to reading for so many students.”

• “Writing – articles for the local area Chamber of Commerce magazine, Facebook posts for our Museum page, editing articles for the SHM newsletter.
• Metadata cleanup on digital images recently added to our collection.
• Creating new biographical and subject files for the Research Center.
• Still helping patrons over email. Patron requests include: historic image search, a request for a copy of a plat map, creating family history charts, help identifying a photo, and genealogy research.”