Library Experiences of Technical Services and Special Collections During the COVID-19 Pandemic at Edith Garland Dupré Library, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic put a major strain on everyday life. Academic institutions were forced to close, leaving many employees to resort to teleworking. Academic libraries were put in an unusual position, as they strove to provide access to library materials and services, despite limited to no access to the actual sites. This proved to be especially tricky for technical services and special collections departments, which heavily rely on being present at libraries. Therefore, these departments needed to develop solutions that would allow them to continue performing their duties while adhering to stay-at-home orders. With careful preparation and frequent communication, the technical services and special collections departments of Edith Garland Dupré Library at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette were able to successfully adapt to teleworking and continue providing needed library services. This article details the teleworking experiences of five departments within technical services and special collections during the pandemic, including strategies developed and challenges faced.