Creating a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Library Orientation: The Process of Using a Text-based, Interactive Storytelling Tool to Take your Orientation Virtual

When in-person instruction was taken off the table, a new virtual orientation to the library was needed. Striving to create a balance of informational and engaging content, this article describes the thought- and creation-process behind a choose-your-own-library-adventure game built with the online tool Twine, and includes feedback and revisions made based on the Fall 2020 semester.

Building Partnerships by Infusing Kindness: A Social Worker and Librarian's Shared Journey to Meaningful Cross-Discipline Collaboration

In this column, the authors will examine an innovative approach to library employee training, as well as reflect on their shared experience through the planning, implementing, and revising process. They will articulate the steps taken in development of a training model that uses a social work simulation lab to provide library employees with the opportunity to practice de-escalation techniques instantaneously with actors demonstrating a spectrum of authentic patron interactions, and experienced professionals, spanning librarianship and social work, providing immediate constructive feedback. To this end, the authors will contribute contemplative best practices for application of techniques relevant across the library discipline, as well as offering evidence of the strategies discussed informing progressive modifications to library-specific safety policies and procedures. The authors will also integrate suggested next steps, including complementary training opportunities based on mental health awareness and self-care.

Review of The Library Outreach Cookbook

Review of Sittler, R.L. & Rogerson, T.J. (Eds.) (2020). The library outreach cookbook. Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries. 217 pp.

Review of Student Wellness and Academic Libraries: Case Studies and Activities for Promoting Health and Success

Review of Holder, S. & Lannon, A. (Eds.). (2020). Student wellness and academic libraries: Case studies and activities for promoting health and success. Association of College and Research Libraries.

Review of Faculty-Librarian Collaborations: Integrating the Information Literacy Framework into Disciplinary Courses

Faculty-Librarian Collaborations: Integrating the Information Literacy Framework into Disciplinary Courses. Edited by Stöpel, M., Piotto, L., Goodman, X., and Godbey, S. (Chicago, IL: Association of College and Research Libraries 2020. 238pp.

Video Chat at the Front Desk: Providing In-Person Help from a Distance

This column describes an approach to helping patrons in the physical library through a telepresence service, while maintaining a safe environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This video chat service was achieved using the WebEx meeting platform and an iPad, which was later upgraded to a Cisco WebEx DX80 display.

Boosting Student Success and Reducing Inequalities with Free Access to Course Materials

Research shows that COVID-19 has exacerbated student challenges and inequalities. One of the most impactful ways the University of Arizona Libraries foster student success and reduce inequities is through our course material initiatives: providing students with free day-one access to required materials. We are seeing greater demand for online resources, which can be challenging for academic libraries to provide. Our approach leverages campus partnerships, advocacy and education, and a “do-it-yourself” model supplemented with one-on-one assistance as needed. These practices can be replicated at other libraries with limited resources.

Moving Mountains: Lessons Learned from a Campus-wide Free Textbook Initiative in Response to a Global Pandemic

Students are experiencing enormous economic precarity as a result of COVID-19. Reports indicate that those hardest hit by job loss due to the coronavirus are of lower income (Beer, 2020). While economic recovery is underway for more affluent workers, the same cannot be said for those toward the bottom of the wage scale, particularly underserved populations (Long, 2020). The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) in Central Appalachia recognizes the impact that emerging and existing financial inequities have on our institution’s most vulnerable populations. Even pre-pandemic, students had indicated the costs of purchasing textbooks was stressful and discouraging. As a result, the institution decided in April 2020 to convert all classes to free materials by the start of the Fall 2020 semester. Written by those who supported faculty in this transition, the goal of this article is threefold: To describe our research methods in seeking out appropriate free material for instructors and how we guided faculty in developing their own knowledge in search strategies, To detail the process we established for faculty to apply for funding when appropriate materials could not be found, and To share the lessons we learned along with emerging success stories. We hope that this guidance will encourage other institutions to implement similar initiatives. Based on anecdotal experiences as well as our own ongoing research, we believe similar efforts are essential in addressing systemic inequities and creating cross-campus collaboration, particularly in the face of unprecedented challenges that were not created by, but have been exacerbated because of the global pandemic.

Pandemic as Opportunity : Creating and Implementing a Live Virtual Reference Desk

The COVID-19 pandemic presented the Kennesaw State University Library System with the question, " How can the library maintain live face-to-face reference services in a manner that is safe for all involved ?" Challenges to creating a live virtual reference desk that arose included the need to serve two campuses simultaneously, librarians working from home, and using conferencing technology in unexplored ways. The resulting Virtual In-Person (VIP) Reference service was the answer to our immediate situation, yet lessons were learned for future opportunities to push our services beyond the traditional.

Review of Training Research Consultants: A Guide for Academic Libraries

Review of Torreano, J., & O’Kelly, M. (Eds.) (2020). Training research consultants: A guide for academic libraries. Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries.