Our New Normal, Volume XI

The place is swarming with students, not because they’re browsing and checking out books but because the sprawling facility has been repurposed to include multiple classrooms so that proper COVID-related safety protocols can work effectively.  As is the case around campus, there’s much tape on the floor to ensure spacing. Hand sanitizer is in abundant supply.

So as not to disturb anyone, Elizabeth (the head librarian) and I step out one of the back doors into the winter morning to talk.

What’s your new normal? I ask as birds chirp and a gentle, albeit cold, breeze wafts across the grounds.

“You’ve just seen part of it,” she replied. “We have 12 classes, six times a day in the Commons and also the library. There’re students all over with teachers.  Ben and I supervise a lot of make-up testing. Each of us goes over to Pitt (Hall) once a day and proctors a Zoom classroom. 

“As far as the library goes, we’re doing a lot on Zoom and email. I’m going in to teach classes, so every day is different. We put a lot of books on hold and deliver them to advisories. Students can come to the library if they can get here before or after school.”

Then in-person browsing isn’t a victim of the pandemic? I comment.

“No,” she said. “Typically, they’ll email me to schedule an appointment to come in and browse and then check out. There’s at least an hour before classes start, and we’re here until 4:30.”

Any other changes? I ask.

“We started a new Upper School book club that meets virtually,” said Elizabeth, who serves as sponsor. “We Zoom once a month to discuss our books. (Senior) Emily Yang has been organizing it. We’ve had students on campus and at home Zooming in. It’s open to everyone. It’s a chance for those of us who are big readers to get together.”

“It’s interesting,” she said. “We took a lot of what we learned in the spring when we were fully virtual. A great thing about the library is that it does have a great ability to go virtual and online. We have electronic databases and resources so our students still have access for research and projects and papers. They can set up an appointment with Ben or me. We can walk them through the databases and help them find the information they need.

“We’ve beefed up our website and Schoology page and increased our e-book collection. We can help them if they’re getting books from the public library so we can keep readers with books in hand, either electronic or traditional print books. We’re pretty much supporting the teachers and students however we can.” 

Similar concept, it seems. Just different execution, I offered.

“Yes, in many ways it’s not all that different,” she said. “It might be via email or Zoom rather than in person. I miss having the impromptu conversations. I miss the conversations at lunch. I miss seeing the students.”

“And I can’t wait,” she said.

Elizabeth returned inside to assume test-proctoring duties, and Ben, in his shirt sleeves but coffee mug in hand, joined me in the 35-degree climes outside.

What’s your new normal? I asked.

 “A lot of computer work,” he responded. “I’m spending a lot less time interacting with kids like I used to, but I’ve been able to work one-on-one with kids without many distractions. That developed when we were remote. That’s a beneficial way to interact. Proctoring make-up exams and classes has been a new experience for me. It’s a great way to get to know kids better.

“Overall, it’s a lot of people management, making sure everybody’s OK in their spaces now that the library’s pretty much been converted to classrooms and trying to make sure everything’s running smoothly.”

“Right,” he said. “I really miss the casual interactions with colleagues, but it’s also been beneficial to join together in this effort: to work as a team and help each other get through this.”

“Order books, expand the collection, connect kids with books and resources for projects, some instruction,” he said. “The archives side is dealing with (the) alumni and development (offices) on projects. Trying to organize that gigantic closet full of materials from the school’s history: yearbooks, newspaper clippings, publications, homecoming materials, photo files. We need to stay in touch with the past so we can plan for the future. It’s also important to stay in touch with alumni and people who have spent a lot of their lives here, especially the Town School and early Mooreland Road generation.”

“It’s certainly challenging and a little traumatic,” he said, “but it creates bonds to come through something like this. Hopefully it builds an understanding of how fortunate we are to be together. It will strengthen our community, for sure.”
~Weldon Bradshaw