Full Shelves, Empty Seats
The NASH Library has had to change the fundamental ways it operates due to COVID-19.
Social distancing signs and bottles of hand sanitizer throughout the library remind students just how different this school year is.
October 23, 2020
Before each school day, the NASH library looks the same as it always has. Tens of thousands of books line the long shelves, and the tables align themselves for the usual intake of students. However, once the day starts, those tables are empty and stay that way. It’s a stark reminder that the NASH Library has had to change much of its daily operations due to COVID-19.
Ms. Wienand, the librarian at NASH, has seen her job completely change with all the new procedures. Many of the differences are because she and the library staff are prioritizing the safety of students and staff.
“North Allegheny librarians have been working together, along with our administrators, to establish COVID-19 protocols that will keep students and staff as safe as possible,” Wienand said. “We are adjusting our policies as new data arises, and we will return to normal use as soon as all of those sources indicate that doing so will be safe for our school community.”
Due to these changes, Wienand’s role in classrooms has changed significantly, as well. Previously, when classes would embark on a research project, they would spend days in the library, learning about different types of research and citations from the librarians. For students, it was a nice break from the classroom and allowed them to become more comfortable with using the resources in the library.
However, because the library is closed for classes, Wienand has been required to now do these lessons through Blackboard Collaborate. Despite the limitations, many students think this new class structure has been successful so far.
“It was quite normal for us,” said senior Jacob Gardner. “It was not much different for us to be in Collaborate rather than in person. Asking questions was not as easy, but the overall experience went smoothly.”
Wienand agrees.
“It works nicely because then I can work with students who are remote and in-person,” she said. “However, it seems that students are less likely to ask questions online, or they wait longer to ask them. I think we’re all facing a steep learning curve about being comfortable working in a digital space.”
The library itself has also undergone massive changes. Students are not allowed to go into the library to check out books. They have to place a request for a certain book or resource, which is then delivered to them. After that item has been returned, it is then placed in a seven-day quarantine before it is allowed to be checked out again.
NASH students have been so understanding about the disappointments we’ve faced so far this year.
— Ms. Wienand
Additionally, students are no longer able to go to the library during their study hall, so they have had to stay within the confines of their classrooms and the auditorium– something that many are still struggling to adapt to. The library is now used for teachers exclusively teaching NACA.
Despite all of the different changes to the library, Wienand believes that everyone has been doing well and that, more than anything, this year has shown the resiliency and resourcefulness of NASH students.
“NASH students have been so understanding about the disappointments we’ve faced so far this year,” she said. “The students who have been using our digital resources and book deliveries have told me how much they appreciate those resources, so I am hopeful that one benefit from this strange time will be increased awareness and use of the library’s online resources.”
