Episode 6: The Post-Pandemic Workplace

Libraries Lead!

April 19, 2021
Dave Lankes & Mike Eisenberg
44 minutes

As we start to see some light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, what does it mean for the locus and nature of work? Will everyone simply return to their offices, businesses, and schools as if nothing has changed? Or has the lockdown been a catalyst for reconsidering location, work-home balance, and the trade-offs of physical vs. virtual work. And, what about the accompanying effects on the environment, transportation (commuting and traffic), health (physical and mental), and social interaction. Is hybrid – blended physical and virtual – the new normal?

Also, what would this mean for libraries and librarians? As the information infrastructure and services providers of communities, are there new, more permanent needs and demands to meet for businesses, workers, parents, and students? And, what about the library workforce? Will librarians and support staff also work in hybrid formats?

This main topic discussion is bolstered by two “awesome library thingys” Dave highlights the American Library Association’s 2021 State of America’s Libraries Report which (among many things) describes librarians as second responders, but more importantly as “first restorers.” Mike builds on a previous highlight about open access reflected the new resources use agreement between the University of California system and Elsevier.

References & Resources

Megan Oakleaf 2021: Library Recognition Award, Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT) https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2021/04/dr-megan-oakleaf-chosen-2021-recipient-lirt-librarian-recognition-award

Jefferson, Jr., Julius C. (04/05/21 01:30 PM EDT). “From steel to fiber, libraries are American infrastructure.” The Hill. https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/546492-from-steel-to-fiber-libraries-are-american-infrastructure

Spiggle, Tom (Feb 17, 2021) “The Post-Coronavirus Workplace: What The ‘New Normal’ May Look Like,” Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomspiggle/2021/02/17/the-post-coronavirus-workplace-what-the-new-normal-may-look-like/?sh=1df61b1638da

Samuel, Alexandra (March 21, 2021). “How to Manage the New Hybrid Workplace,” The Wall Street Journal, https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-manage-the-new-hybrid-workplace-11616328000

American Library Association. The State of America’s Libraries 2021: A Report from the American Library Association. Steve Zalusky. https://bit.ly/soal-report-2021.

Office of Scholarly Communication, University of California (March 16, 2021). “UC secures landmark open access deal with world’s largest scientific publisher.” https://osc.universityofcalifornia.edu/2021/03/uc-secures-landmark-oa-deal-with-worlds-largest-scientific-publisher/

Office of Scholarly Communication, University of California (April 2021). “Elsevier Transformative Open Access Agreement.” https://osc.universityofcalifornia.edu/uc-publisher-relationships/elsevier-oa-agreement/

Credits
Yoni Yemini from ACE Chicago Events