The Madden Library made a lot of changes from March 20 until March 30 when it ceased to hold building operating hours for essential services as Fresno State prepared to go to all-virtual instruction. Before then, a skeleton crew of library staff kept the doors open to support technology programs like Tech Lending and DISCOVERe as they checked out tablets, laptops and hotspots to students and faculty who needed them for their classes.
The librarians, however, were prepared to go entirely virtual in early March. “The library team began strengthening existing virtual services (phone, chat, email services) early as the COVID-19 crisis developed,” said Sarah McDaniel, director of user services. “We planned a high-level Virtual Resources web page to keep campus updated regarding in-person and online services as conditions changed. Thanks to these preparations, which involved staff from many departments, we were able to move to fully online service when the library closed.”
The library team also gave particular attention to the library’s collection of 250 course reserve books, including many textbooks purchased with funds from Associated Students, Inc. These books are kept in reserve to lend to students who cannot afford textbooks. Library staff quickly began identifying online alternatives to these print resources so that no student loses access to the textbooks they need. In addition to these research and textbook services, the librarians fielded over 200 questions via phone, email and chat in the first two weeks of virtual instruction.
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