Bearden library adjusts to Covid-19 measures, offers services to virtual students

The Bearden Library is ready for both in-person and virtual students as the school year begins.

The librarians are actively taking measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 while simultaneously being a place of peace for many students. They are trying to make the experience as normal as possible while still accommodating to the restrictions that Covid-19 brings to a setting of learning.

“I hope students will experience the same welcoming environment and the same level of service that we’ve always tried to provide,” librarian Mrs. Amy Davis said.

Bearden librarians Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Kristen Heffern are both adjusting in order to get online students access to the library, as well.

Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Heffern are increasing the amount of information on the Bearden website and in the BHS Library Canvas course to cater to students participating in virtual learning. This course includes video tutorials about library services, digital off-campus access, weekly virtual office hours, and drive-by pickup for library books. 

No overdue fees will be charged on books as a new addition to the protocol for the 2020-2021 school year. Instead, students will only be fined for lost or damaged items. All student fines for books were waived from last spring.

Students are allowed to browse books, hang out, or use a computer or printer, similar to previous years. Everyone is welcome to spend time in the library before school starting at 8 a.m., during class with a pass, and during lunch.

To spend time in the library safely, students are required to wear a mask, asked to practice social distancing, and offered access to cleaning sprays and wipes before and after use of an area. Handwashing and sanitizing are encouraged to protect others, especially before and after using computers or browsing books.

The librarians are following the American Library Association guidelines and “quarantining” books for 72 hours before making them available to other students. They can also deliver books to a classroom for in-person students.

The library has decreased the number of chairs to allow for more distance between students.

The Makerspace and Writing Center are currently reserved for teachers only, and the Dawg House Cafe is not in operation this semester.

“We’ve had to re-think all our practices, how we teach, and how we interact,” Mrs. Davis said. “I hope all the measures that we all take will allow us to stay in school together.

“In some ways, re-thinking our ways of doing will bring about some really beneficial long-term changes to how we approach school, business, and relationships.”