By Desmond Beharilal
Many Librarians across most libraries (that
includes public, academic, special libraries, and libraries operated by the
private sector amongst others), have found their comfort zones in their
respective work environments. For the purpose of this article, I would refer to
all staff working in the library sectors as librarians with specific reference
to the library staff employed at the various campus libraries within the
University of Kwazulu-Natal.
The recent outbreak of the Covid-19 virus
which is a world pandemic as announced by the World Health Organisation, forced
the governments of many countries, including South Africa, to implement a”
Lockdown” or “shutdown” of all non-essential services within their countries.
Such actions had a major impact on the academic environment especially
university libraries, where library resources and services had to be offered
away from University premises. Such drastic measures resulted in the change of
the work environments and approach to library services of many Librarians
although many resources are still located in-house.
Adjusting to the “new work environment” is
no easy task as one would enjoy being at home for reasons other than the fear
of contracting a virus during a pandemic. Some Librarians are unsure about working
from home as their focus is on their health and that of their families rather
than their work tasks. Library users
would not necessarily be disadvantaged by the lack of print library information
as much information can be found online.
Where possible Librarians are accessible via email and circulation staff
field general queries. There is someone available in all library sectors and
the contacts lists on the library’s webpage have been updated to ensure that
Librarians can be contacted. Such library services are being offered as part of
the distance learning modules offered by many educational institutions
including the University of Kwazulu-Natal.
With little time to discuss, plan or get clarity on many aspects of the
impending lockdown, in mid-April many library staff, particularly Subject
Librarians and core services and some admin staff whose circumstances permitted working from
home, gallantly took their laptops home and after getting data, began the process
of trying to maintain and forge new ways of working from their homes.
In practice, some librarians who are not
used to such work environments have really suffered, both mentally and
physically. Some of us who have been employed for many years felt that the environmental change has really
affected our personal lives as daily routines have had to be changed, not only
as individuals but in family units as well. After the usual hygiene practices
and breakfast, my family usually sat around chatting about various issues, but
unfortunately, such discussions have not been held anymore. Family members who
gathered together were asked to occupy themselves with whatever they could as
work needed to be done by the Librarians within such families. The fortunate or
privileged (in terms of their spacious living facilities) who have homes with separate spaces that can
be identified as a “study” or separate lounges or guest rooms have not really
felt the impact of working from home unlike others who have had to ask their loved ones, spouses,
children, etc. to leave common spaces in their homes or apartments solely for
the purpose of the person who is working from home.
Amidst a world pandemic, one with paternal
instincts cannot always find the courage to ask some loved ones, especially
children, to excuse themselves. While library management has tried their best
to equip staff with all the necessary tools to enable them to work from home ,
space requirements have had to be organized by individuals amidst the cries of
toddlers, the needs of sick and aging family members and the calls of spouses
that simply have to be ignored. Nevertheless, Librarians are trying their best
to ensure that work is being done to the highest expectations so that the
university community can be provided
with the necessary library information
requirements.
Unfortunately, some Librarians cannot
function effectively due to personal illnesses or anxieties brought about by
the world pandemic, especially those who have family members and children who
are based in other countries where the pandemic is much worse than in South
Africa; and others who have ageing or ill family members. The impact of not
knowing the status and the medical conditions of such relatives impacts
drastically on many librarians.
Alongside such personal circumstances, some
Librarians are faced with technological challenges. In the physical workplace
their comfort zones were always cushioned
of such impact. In the limited time allocated by the President before
the national lockdown, library management had to ensure such services were also
available to librarians who worked from home along with various other related
arrangements like providing internet and WIFI connections to those who did not
have such.
Personality traits of some individuals,
both negative and positive, have come to the fore. Speaking to some colleagues
who probably suffer with some form of anxiety or panic related illnesses, their
fears of the Covid-19 pandemic have been heightened. Unfortunately, some
colleagues have suffered so much that they cannot bring themselves to even keep
up to date with the news relating to the Covid-19 virus. The media and social media platforms also
play a vital role in contributing to such panic and anxiety attacks. Some staff
are fortunate to have good support systems such as family and friends while
others do not have such privileges.
One feature observed amongst many of the
librarians is their commitment to assist their library users and ensure that
tasks allocated to them during the lockdown are being focused on, although
within limitations and obstacles. To add
to these limitations there was peer pressure rather than the Library Management
instructions, as some Librarians have exhibited their competitive
characteristics which further demoralizes already traumatized colleagues.
Although the University’s management provides psychological assistance to staff
in distress, not many librarians use such services for fear of being identified
as emotionally weak.
Fortunately, staff who had close relationships
with some of their peers keep their sanity by keeping in contact with their
peers via phone calls, WhatsApp, emails and other technological means of
communication.
Some
of you may be experiencing the “Lockdown” differently so please share such by
commenting.
