Working Remotely
A Practical Guide for Librarians
Published on 15. May 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-1-5381-5611-7 (ISBN)
Description
In March of 2020, the world workforce moved to work remotely - challenging the nature of what librarians accomplish while not being in their buildings and how libraries serve communities with their doors closed. While the initial move to remote work was forced, voices emerged that questioned why librarians couldn't work remotely for extended periods of time as part of their regular jobs.
Librarians are uniquely positioned to move themselves to remote work, while also maintaining connections to their patron base and their colleagues - but where to start? Stepping outside the traditional library space, librarians can carve out a space to work remotely while still retaining the ability to reach our patrons, provide access to quality programming, pave the way for libraries to share information, promote resources, and even lead change in their communities.
With times changing and our profession adapting so quickly, this practical how-to guide will help librarians set up an office space, set a routine, and adapt, plan, create, implement, manage, and evaluate their programs and services to the best of their ability in order to unleash their library's potential to engage and wow their patrons and communities. With worksheets and templates, anecdotes about what works easily and what might prove challenging, this book is ideal for today's librarian.
Librarians are uniquely positioned to move themselves to remote work, while also maintaining connections to their patron base and their colleagues - but where to start? Stepping outside the traditional library space, librarians can carve out a space to work remotely while still retaining the ability to reach our patrons, provide access to quality programming, pave the way for libraries to share information, promote resources, and even lead change in their communities.
With times changing and our profession adapting so quickly, this practical how-to guide will help librarians set up an office space, set a routine, and adapt, plan, create, implement, manage, and evaluate their programs and services to the best of their ability in order to unleash their library's potential to engage and wow their patrons and communities. With worksheets and templates, anecdotes about what works easily and what might prove challenging, this book is ideal for today's librarian.
Reviews / Votes
Even though the pandemic has slowed down, the issue of remote work remains. Public children's librarian Virello offers guidance on the process of quickly pivoting to working remotely, largely based on her own practice.... To support the book's advice, the author provides appendices covering remote management checklists and templates, along with professional development resources. A glossary, bibliography, and index complete the volume. Virello's tone is practical and engaging, and library workers will find that her ideas are applicable to most library settings. * Booklist * As the author ascertains, the key to the successful implementation of a remote working system is to ensure that the library employees feel supported by the organization in a remote working environment where there is no immediate in-person interaction and feedback with the peers and the supervisors, let alone the patrons. This book provides practical resources that can establish a framework for a remote working environment for any library with such issues and concerns in mind. * Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship * Fresh, honest and practical, Molly Virello masterfully guides readers through the ins and outs of remote work for libraries. Remote work, in one form or another, is here to stay and her helpful tips and guidance ensure libraries can successfully navigate this new paradigm. -- Marge Loch-Wouters, Youth Services Consultant, Loch-Works Consulting, La Crescent, MN Molly Virello offers a comprehensive compendium of practical advice and templates for leading remote work that can be adapted for all types of libraries. The value of her approach to the practical guide lies equally in the resounding affirmation of a can-do attitude and an open mind to shift one's individual and institutional thinking and to balance the opportunities and challenges as well as the benefits and stresses of working remotely. -- Cynthia Roman, Curator of Prints, Drawings and Paintings,The Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University Full of practical advice and real world examples, Working Remotely: A Practical Guide for Librarians is a much needed addition for every librarian's bookshelf as we navigate the changing dynamics of the workplace post-Covid. -- Lydia Holland, Head of Children's Services, E.C. Scranton Memorial Library This book is a must-read for library leaders looking to successfully implement work from home strategies, and for library staff adapting to various remote work scenarios. Virello provides a trove of practical solutions for avoiding burnout, accessibility, setting realistic goals, choosing the right equipment and applications, and so much more. -- Jennifer Bruneau, Leadership Chair, New England Library Association and Director, Northborough Free LibraryMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
10 b/w photos; 8 tables; 5 textboxes
Dimensions
Height: 280 mm
Width: 216 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
421 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5381-5611-7 (9781538156117)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2022
1st Edition
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
€61.99
Available for download
E-Book
05/2022
1st Edition
Bloomsbury eBooks US
€61.99
Available for download
Person
Molly Virello is the head of the Children's Department at a library in Connecticut. She earned her MLIS on the other side of the world in New Zealand. She worked in libraries there for a year, bringing storytime fun and summer reading excitement to Wellington and surrounding towns, before she accepted a position in CT, and came home.
Virello has been the storytime librarian at her library for over 8 years, and has recently been promoted to the Head of Children's Services. She still brings loud fun and learning to the under 14 set. When the Coronavirus pandemic hit, and libraries everywhere were sent to work from home, she was instrumental in leading her team into setting up a productive work environment from home, bringing their programming, reference, and interaction solely online, and maintaining relationships with her library's patrons.
Virello has been the storytime librarian at her library for over 8 years, and has recently been promoted to the Head of Children's Services. She still brings loud fun and learning to the under 14 set. When the Coronavirus pandemic hit, and libraries everywhere were sent to work from home, she was instrumental in leading her team into setting up a productive work environment from home, bringing their programming, reference, and interaction solely online, and maintaining relationships with her library's patrons.
Content
List of Tables and Figures
Acknowledgements
Preface
Chapter 1: Defining Remote Work
Chapter 2: Establishing a Remote Work Policy
Chapter 3: Setting Staff Expectations
Chapter 4: Technical Requirements
Chapter 5: Setting Up a Remote Space
Chapter 6: Daily Routines, Communication, and Digital Etiquette
Chapter 7: Establishing Digital Services and Programming
Chapter 8: Marketing Remote Services and Programs
Chapter 9: Strategies for Library Leadership
Chapter 10: Building Resilience and Avoiding Burnout
Chapter 11: Returning to On-site Work
Appendix 1: Remote Management Checklist - Preparation
Appendix 2: Remote Management Checklist - Check-Ins
Appendix 3: Assessment Checklist for Remote Work
Appendix 4: Remote Work Week Template
Appendix 5: Remote Work Agreement Template
Appendix 6: Continuing Ed, Learning Opportunities, & Upskill Resources
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
Acknowledgements
Preface
Chapter 1: Defining Remote Work
Chapter 2: Establishing a Remote Work Policy
Chapter 3: Setting Staff Expectations
Chapter 4: Technical Requirements
Chapter 5: Setting Up a Remote Space
Chapter 6: Daily Routines, Communication, and Digital Etiquette
Chapter 7: Establishing Digital Services and Programming
Chapter 8: Marketing Remote Services and Programs
Chapter 9: Strategies for Library Leadership
Chapter 10: Building Resilience and Avoiding Burnout
Chapter 11: Returning to On-site Work
Appendix 1: Remote Management Checklist - Preparation
Appendix 2: Remote Management Checklist - Check-Ins
Appendix 3: Assessment Checklist for Remote Work
Appendix 4: Remote Work Week Template
Appendix 5: Remote Work Agreement Template
Appendix 6: Continuing Ed, Learning Opportunities, & Upskill Resources
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
About the Author