Head, Veterinary Library Cornell University Ithaca, New York
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Background: In March 2020, as the world adapted to sweeping lockdowns due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, academic libraries were shuttered. Slowly, as we learned to cope with Covid-19, libraries reopened, though most did so with restricted access and services. This poster describes how, in August 2020, one small medical library re-opened its spaces and collections using an unstaffed model. Important lessons have been learned that can inform library operations after the threat of Covid-19 subsides.
Description: The Flower-Sprecher Veterinary Library supports the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, and serves a population of approximately 1500 faculty, staff, and students. As the Fall 2020 semester approached, access to the Veterinary Library was deemed an essential need for students, which houses multiple copies of textbooks that support student learning and provides ample study space. To ensure the safety of our skeleton crew of 3 library staff, we opened our doors using an unstaffed model. The library is accessible to members of the college via card swipe from 8am - 2am, 7 days/week. Public computers and printers were removed but a scanner is available. Patrons can check out books by request using contactless pickup. Originally, basic services were carried out by staff during hours that the library was closed, but as vaccinations became prevalent, this practice dissolved. Basic services include checking out books, scanning materials, and reshelving items.
Conclusion: Between August 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021, over 8,000 users have entered the Veterinary Library (compared to 38,000 entries in the five months preceding the pandemic onset). Evidence that textbooks are being used in-house is often seen. To date, we know of no books or resources that have gone missing. Following the success of this model, we will experiment with a hybrid staffing model as the pandemic subsides, in which our library is staffed for busier times but unstaffed when traffic is low. If successful, this will contribute to significant savings for our limited budget. Statistics and insights shared in this poster can inform operating statuses of other libraries that serve similar populations.
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