Like other university libraries, operations at the UMGC Library have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Given very little notice, the library – along with all other departments within the university – was quickly moved to a full telework model. This new work model, however, has had little impact on how we provide library materials and services. Our students have noticed little – if any – differences in the reference assistance, instruction, and materials we provide for them (apart from being unable to provide print books.) Our poster will illustrate the UMGC Library’s service model and describe how we have served faculty and students during this unprecedented time. Included in the poster will be the following:

Using Zoom for communication/collaboration
Extending chat/email hours
Cross-training access services staff to provide reference
Exploring Jabber and other options for phone reference
Using Zoom for reference and screen-sharing options
Providing asynchronous library instruction within online classes

Click here to access the poster

Ed O’Donnell – Reference and Instruction Librarian, University of Maryland, Global Campus
Ed O’Donnell received his MLIS from the University of Rhode Island in 2005 and has been a Reference and Instruction Librarian at UMGC since 2006. He also serves as the liaison to the Department of Cybersecurity in the School of Cybersecurity and Information Technology, and as the liaison to the Department of Business Management in the School of Business.

Ryan Shepard – Reference and Instruction Librarian, University of Maryland, Global Campus
Ryan Shepard received his MLS from the University of Maryland in 2002. He has been a Reference and Instruction Librarian at UMGC since 2006. He is also the liaison to the Department of Information Technology in the School of Cybersecurity and Information Technology.

Colleen Quinn – Reference and Instruction Librarian, University of Maryland, Global Campus
Colleen Quinn joined the UMGC Library as a Reference and Instruction Librarian in November of 2018. She received her MLIS from Rutgers University in May 2017, with a concentration in Digital Librarianship. She is currently pursuing her MS in Learning Design and Technology from UMGC. She serves as the liaison to the Department of Education and Public Service in the School of Arts and Sciences