Survey Summary
There were 80 respondents to the poll, "LSU Libraries: Staff Concerns Over Re-opening Library Buildings to Public." Faculty and staff are most concerned about virus spread, cleanliness/sanitation, air filtration, clean restrooms, faculty and staff who are public-facing, people not complying with PPE and social distancing, and who will be responsible for enforcement.
Suggestions centered around limiting occupancy of the buildings through continued WFH, capacity limits, staggered schedules, sanitation, closing particular areas of the buildings, rearranging furniture and continued/beefing-up of emphasis on online services.
Issues predating COVID that need more attention due to the possibility of the pandemic amplifying them include building cleanliness, questionable ventilation, infrequent cleaning of bathrooms, and sufficient custodial staff.
For more details, please see breakdown of survey results below.
Main concerns about Opening Library Buildings to Campus Community
- Cleanliness/sanitation (x13)
- Adequate custodial staff (x5)
- How often? (x3)
- Whose responsibility? (x2)
- Ability to sanitize large areas
- Computers cleaned between each use?
- Air filtration/handling/recirculation: will it spread the virus? (x7)
- Ability to procure PPE and cleaning supplies from University/vendors (x6)
- Computers and furniture not six feet apart (x5)
- Computer and group study areas (x4)
- The volume of people using buildings (x4)
- Long lines at coffee shop (x2)
- Tight spaces
- Restrooms (x7)
- Stairwells (x4)
- Elevators (x4)
- sharing with students (x3)
- Narrow Stacks
- Are six feet enough indoors? New research says no (x3)
- Kitchens/lounges (x2)
- Role of security guard (x2)
- how affects students
- Library building become a source of spread (x2)
- Door handles
- How would Hill’s RR function?
- Spread (x14)
- Contracting virus and/or spreading to others (x6)
- Public-facing staff/faculty vulnerable:
- Research desk, circ desk, teaching, Reference (x9)
- Those without private offices/ in cubicles (x5)
- Asymptomatic patrons who are spreading (x4)
- Handling collections and materials (x2)
- Disabled students and staff who must use elevators
- Added stress and anxiety by return
- Lack of testing for returning staff and students
• People not wearing mask (x13)
• People not socially (physically distancing) (x13)
• Large groups assembling (x6)
• People not wearing masks correctly (x2)
• Lack of trust in young adults (x2) (e.g. bars, Tigerland, etc.)
• Cognitive dissonance/ability to maintain new habits (x2)
• People entering buildings sick (coughing, sneezing)
• What happens if someone is sick and their leave runs out?
• Who is responsible? (x11)
• What are the consequences for non-compliance? (x5)
• How to limit visitors/researchers? (x3)
• Who is monitoring # of students and how they use space? (x2)
• Clarification from university admin re standards—need to be clear
• Perception by fellow staff if we don’t return when others do?
• Being required to be in a building
• Culture wars around PPE
• Protests and possible disruption
• How little thought the university has given the Library’s unique challenges
• Spread of virus on way to and from work
• How to build awareness of library to new students safely (without crowded public events)?
• How will LSU handle crowds at super spreader events, which can easily be transmitted within a library (e.g. sports)?
Ideas to Address Concerns
• WFH as long as possible (x10)
• Capacity limits (x10)
• Stagger staff schedules (x9)
• Reduce Library open hours (x5)
• Close coffee shop (x2)
• More staff only bathrooms (x2*)
• Limit students within study rooms/study groups (x2)
• Close/limit floors and establish a paging system
• Close math lab
• Close room 227
• Close Education Resources
• Close study rooms
• Close/limit staff lounges
• Keep research desk closed; point to “Ask Us!” for assistance (x4)
• Restrict the availability of 230A
• Continue to have basement be staff-only, closed to students
• Reopen only computer labs on 1st and 2d floors for printing
• Time limits for how long people are in the building
• Limit in-person group meetings
• Consider making library access appointment only
• Be outside as much as possible
* denotes a suggestion found in Q3, but fits better in Q2’s request for suggestions
- Make cleaning a priority; increase cleaning (x9)
- Clean regular intervals during open hours (x3)
- Have professional sanitization services/additional cleaners
- Clean restrooms more frequently
- Provide masks and hand sanitizer/stations (x3)
- Require masks (x3)
- Paper towels in bathrooms (x2)
- Invest in advanced air filtration (x2)
- Students wipe down staff shared items after each use (copy machines, keyboards) (x2)
- Portable air filters in every office (x2*)
- Temperature checks
- Buzz visitors in to each office door
- *Tops to cubicles to deter spread
* denotes a suggestion found in Q3, but fits better in Q2’s request for suggestions
- Remove chairs/furniture (x4)
- Arrange furniture to encourage social distancing (x3)
- Greater emphasis on the library’s online services (x3)
- Physical barriers
- Plexiglass installation at all service points
- One-way entrance/exit (front door in, back door out)
- Curbside pick up
- Remind staff to avoid building crowds during class changes
- *Disable drinking fountains
* denotes a suggestion found in Q3, but fits better in Q2’s request for suggestions
- Clear policies (x2)
- Have users sign an online form stating they’ve read rules and agree to follow
- Establish task force renew library usage standards
- Maintain current conditions (phase 2)
- Hire security/get LSU Police involved in enforcement (2)
- opposed to guns at the door
- Emphasis on wellness in the workplace
- Socially-distanced team building activities for staff/faculty
Other Issues Predating WFH
- Wipes for each workstation for workers to wipe down (x6)
- Hand sanitizer near each door (x6)—preferably touch-free
- Questionable current ventilation (x4)
- Sufficient custodial staff (x3)
- Personal air filters (x2)
- Dusty, moldy building
- Food trash
- Ensure all soap dispensers are filled in bathrooms
- Cold temps
- Infrequent cleaning of bathrooms
- Random, unannounced office visits