The document discusses guidelines for libraries reopening after COVID-19 lockdowns from various professional organizations. It recommends a phased reopening with safety measures like scheduling visits, distancing, and increased cleaning. Services should focus on curbside pickup, digital content, and remote support until risk levels decrease. The "new normal" means reinventing services to maintain engagement while preventing virus spread through physical spaces.

1. By
Dr.GeetaGirishGadhvi
AssociateProfessor&Head
Departmentof Library&InformationScience
GujaratUniversity
Ahmedabad
drgeetagadhvi@gmail.com

2. Effect of COVID-19:
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 Social disturbance – loneliness
 Health – poor and weak immunity – psychological
issues
 Economic – slowdown – collapse – industries –
business (big, small, medium or large scale)
 Education – closed all type of academic institutions
 Cultural – no celebration of religion, cultural and
local festivals
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad

3. Role of Librarian:
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 Accept the change
 Come out of comfort zone
 Think out of box
 Ready to work non traditional activities
 Spread positivity
 Educate citizens for personal hygiene
 Work for social cause
 Customize your mind to work 24x7
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

4. Role of Librarian:
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 Should play a role of facilitator in terms of
technology, place and resources
 Collection to content provider
 Learn to work with Collaboration
 Build up network of likeminded people
 Maximise open access resources [you can access
https://www.slideshare.net/dratulbhatt
presentation on Open Access Resources]
 Actively involve in Information Literacy and Digital
Information Literacy program
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

5. Importance of Librarian:
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 Everything is not available on internet
 Digital libraries are not the internet
 The internet is not free
 The internet or Google can complements libraries, but
not able to replace
 “Google can bring you back 1,00,000 answers; but A
librarian can bring you back the right one.”― Neil
Gaiman
 Libraries are not just books – now it’s a happening place
 Mobile devices are not the end of books or libraries
 Need of information is shifted not limited
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

6. Importance of Librarian:
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 Eliminating libraries means cut short an important
process of cultural evolution as libraries are the
storehouse of our cultural heritage
 Difficult to judge authentic information on internet
 The internet/web is transient
 Libraries can surprisingly helpful for right
information at right time
 Not everyone has access to internet at the same time
not every one afford books
So, we need Library and Librarian !!!
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

7. Authentic and Updated Information:
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 By using official websites
 Reliable resources
 WHO’s WhatsApp is one of the most reliable
sources of information in the current crisis.
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

8. WHO What’s App Link:
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WHO’s WhatsApp is one of the most reliable sources of
information in the current crisis with library users in an
effort to counter rumours and fake news. The WHO’s
WhatsApp link provides authentic information to the
general public, patients, medical and paramedical staff.
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

9. New Normal:
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Across the world, many countries have begun a
gradual reopening of public life in an attempt to
return a sense of normalcy to residents’ lives and
diminish the economic impact of the Covid-19 global
pandemic.
https://www.bibliotheca.com/reopening-libraries-after-covid-19/
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

10. Guidelines from ALIA:
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The Australian Library and Information Association
 Libraries are struggling to figure out the best course
of action to safely resume providing services to their
communities.
“Reopening will not mean going back to the way things
were pre-COVID-19; it will mean putting in place the
‘New Normal’ approach to library services.”
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

11. Why New Normal?
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 Libraries are at “low-risk”[John Hopkins University Library
Report 20th April]
 On 23rd June 2020, John Hopkins University
Library reported that libraries are considered as
medium to high risk, similar to restaurants and
retail stores/moles.
 Libraries becomes community centres and
gathering places. [Peter Coyl]
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

12. Vancouver Public Library, British Columbia
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 Allows users to schedule a time to pick up books
 Users provide identification through a window.
 Then back up beyond 6 ft. while library staff
leave a bag of requested materials outside the
door to be retrieved.
 When materials are returned through the book
drop, staff members leave them untouched for
72 hours as a safety precaution.
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

13. Reopening :
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Library Buildings must be reopened in Phased
Manner [IFLA Guidelines]
 Community activity
 Extension services
 Children area
 Designated one-way traffic using signage
 Removing / rearranging furniture for safe distance
 WeChat account to reserve a time to borrow
materials [Shanghai Public Library, China]
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

15. Following safety: (Germany)
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 Use a separate basket (baskets are limited)
 Patrons are encouraged to limit their visits to 20
minutes
 Children’s area and group meeting spaces kept
closed
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

18. Automated Issue return solutions:
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 Self Check in and Check out kiosks
 Eliminating the need for unnecessary human
interaction
 Hand sanitizer stations at self-checkout can reduce
contamination of surfaces
 Should develop cloud Library checkout system so that
users can borrow materials from their mobile phone
(Bibliotheca Library)
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

19. Future of libraries: physical and digital
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 Librarians and library staff have shown remarkable
fortitude, creativity, and resilience during this
pandemic period.
 Libraries have continued to serve their communities
by offering digital collections, book clubs via video-
conference, recorded and broadcast storytimes,
webinars, and online consulting.
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

20. Checklist for reopening the library:
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As per Australian Library and Information
Association
 The health and well-being of staff and users
 Preventing contact with those already sick
 Building plexiglass shields for issue counters
 Providing disinfectant for staff and visitors
 Taking credit cards instead of cash
 Regular cleaning of facilities
 UV sanitizers to disinfect materials after return
(China)
Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

21. ALIA Checklist:
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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

22. ALIA Checklist:
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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

23. ALIA Checklist:
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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

24. Initiating New Normal with:
 We should be talking about the library as a
boundary- less service rather than just as a physical
space.
 We are living in ‘the age of the individual’ so we must
respond with a highly tailored / customised service.
 Our approaches to customer service must
incorporate choice & flexibility, as they are now the
expected norm
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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

25. Initiating New Normal with:
 Most users now expect to self-discover and will only
ask for help when they are desperate – this is why we
must be as visible and approachable as possible.
 We should be grabbing user attention with ‘wow’
images.
 We need to get better at selling a few planets
(relevant service components) rather than the whole
galaxy (every possible service a user might need)
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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

26. Initiating New Normal with:
 We should continue to develop true awareness of the
real needs of our users rather than assuming that we
know what they need.
 We should actively listen to our users at all times,
providing as many opportunities as possible for
feedback and discussion.
 We must target as much communication as we can to
specific users/user groups and avoid generic emails.
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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

27. Initiating New Normal with:
 We should seek out and test new technology,
developing a reputation as new media experts always
in the know about ‘the next big thing’.
 We need to be present on each and every
communication platform, as all the individual
communities add up to our user base.
 We must offer seamless access to services wherever
our users are and whatever device they’re on.
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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

28. Initiating New Normal with:
 We should regularly take statistics on everything, to
offer proof of value and in readiness for factual
defence of our services.
 We should constantly evaluate our activities, identify
tasks that add no value and drop them.
 We should never be afraid to experiment - we must
try new ideas, tools, and initiatives, even if we’re not
initially sure of their relevance and value.
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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

29. Initiating New Normal with:
 We should promote end results and success, and
avoid database names and library jargon.
 Our services should always be delivered at point of
need, and at the user’s convenience not ours.
 Offering a responsive, agile service is key - it may
create expectation, but it also creates engaged users.
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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

30. Initiating New Normal with:
 Our content should make an emotional connection
with our users in order to foster learning, prompt
them to think about us and engage with us more.
 We should always seek to innovate and improve our
services, for the sake of our users and our reputation.
 We must seek to create ‘moments of truth’ when
customers are delighted, ensuring their return (and
ideally their advocacy).
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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

31. Initiating New Normal with:
 We need to align our service with the goals and
objectives of the institutions we work for and
regularly demonstrate that we are aligned.
 Our number one priority should be spending time
building relationships with our users.
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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad

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Dr.Geeta Girish Gadhvi, DLISc, Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad