UC Libraries Forum 2021: Leading with Innovation, Stronger through Collaboration

During the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries needed to abruptly and iteratively adjust operations to safeguard library employees while continuing to support the students, faculty, and researchers we serve. At the UC Davis Library (comprising the Peter J. Shields Library in Davis, the Carlson Health Sciences Library in Davis, and the Blaisdell Medical Library in Sacramento), our Library Response Team, a standing group focused on emergency preparedness and response, collaborated to redesign our spaces and services in order to remain available to UC Davis students and employees throughout the pandemic. This panel presentation will highlight lessons learned, including what we would have done differently and what went so well we plan to continue it into the coming year. Specific aspects of this work include: ● Alignment with rapidly changing and often ambiguous or conflicting national, state, local, and campus guidance regarding health and safety ● Establishment of key principles that remain relevant as conditions change ● Iterative scenario planning and constant communication within the library and with campus ● Specific operational issues around entry-point access, rearranging study space, how to provide services and collections access, and how to communicate change through signage and digital channels Panelists will also share perspectives on how strategies honed through the Library Response Team’s prior experience working together in other emergency response situations laid a foundation for success during the pandemic. The session will include time for Q&A with panelists, as well as to connect with colleagues interested in leading libraries through unforeseen future events.