Slice of Life Day 20: Being a Library Director During a Global Pandemic
I started my day waking up from a nightmare… not just any nightmare but a combined work and coronavirus nightmare. In my dream, all the department heads of my township were in a meeting in too small of a room with the Chair of the Board. And as I’m beginning to feel claustrophobic, the Chair says, “We’re opening back up on Monday. Bring in all your staff and expect the public!” And in my nightmare, all I can think is, “NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!”
So that’s how I woke up this morning – so stressed! My yoga practice was interrupted by my dog, which also didn’t help. And so I went into work feeling exhausted and anxious. But, thankfully, I was super productive yesterday in a way that made me feel like I could do my job again. It’s really weird running a library that isn’t doing most “library things”.
But between Wednesday and Thursday, we were able to cobble together a plan for a Facebook Live storytime and a Facebook Live chapter book read aloud. We also got access to some more resources for our patrons from TumbleBooks for free! And, I was able to set up a system for township residents to request library cards without coming in. This means they’ll have online access to our eLibrary while we’re closed. Plus, I was able to send out an eNewsletter outlining everything we’re able to do, even though we’re physically closed.
All of these tiny little moments have helped me feel so much better about being able to actually do something. The constant unknowing stress has really gotten to me, but I felt much more like myself. Finally. (Even with the nightmare this morning!)
That said, our Governor just closed all non-life-sustaining businesses effective as of 8pm on Thursday. We’ll see what life brings today as this will affect so many small businesses across our state. I do not envy people in these positions who have to make really difficult decisions with the information they have in the hopes of flattening the curve and helping everyone in the long run. And wish us luck with live streaming, because that is something I’ve never tried before!
This is my second year participating in the Slice of Life Challenge. I’ll be posting brief posts that show a glimpse of my life in story-format. A slice of my life as a librarian and blogger that I hope you enjoy!
6 Comments
Pia Alliende
I am a librarian too! But I work in an elementary school library and now we are closed until April 28th, and I don’t have access to my students :I feel really useless at this point. My district decided to lay out a plan April 1st. I guess because technically today was the start of our Spring break. Probably people really need it right now. At least a break from online invasion. It’s so hard to focus on what’s important if you don’t have a plan and routine. I really admire your accomplishments and forward thinking. Your community is lucky to have your library and your team!.As you, I woke up this morning with a recurring dream. Some sort of comic book that talk to me, and said something like “you need to return me, you need to return me.”
Laura Arnhold
Work nightmares are probably some of the worst! I hope you’re able to start moving forward with a plan… doing a Facebook Live storytime wasn’t too hard and our community definitely loved it!
eddiehren
This gave me some really cool insight on another perspective of this whole thing. That’s some really, really important stuff you did. When you think about the usual “wanting to pitch in and do your part” wishes people have during tough times, you’re really actually doing them. I think that’s really cool. Good luck, and thank you for sharing!
Laura Arnhold
Thank you so much! Just having some sort of plan, I think, really helped my mental state. Although I must say, I am absolutely exhausted after this week! So glad to have a little bit of a break this weekend.
Angela Faulhaber
I had a work nightmare last night! It’s funny the way our dreams help us process our fears. I love the idea of virtual story time. Your families will be so grateful for that!
Laura Arnhold
Our families were so excited to see our Children’s Librarian and for something just a little familiar in all this craziness!