Reimagining Library Services in the Era of COVID-19, Part Two

Read part one.

A woman with long curly hair sits down to her computer, ready to begin her day of work—making her way in the new normal.

Alessia Cavazos, Library Specialist in Community and Outreach, would normally rarely be found at her desk. Her assigned role was to plan, execute, and manage a variety of student focused social events, including Tail Waggin’ Days, Book Club, Open Mic Café, and Research Mixer Café. She also taught 1301 and 1302 students whose professors had integrated Libraries classes into their coursework.

A few weeks ago, Cavazos spent most of her time surrounded by students. Now, she works from a desk in her childhood playroom, spending most days in the house, following the news and communicating daily with her grandparents in Italy.

But none of this has shaken Cavazos’ passion for student success or commitment to service. In fact, Cavazos says she feels prepared for what’s ahead because of her experience working for the Libraries.

“I couldn’t even count the number of ways my job has shifted ever since being hired,” Cavazos said. “I think that our nature of constantly shifting has prepared me to handle this particularly challenging coronavirus crisis.”

Part of Cavazos’s shifting role includes support on the Libraries’ 24/7 Live Chat—a service that Cavazos fundamentally believes in.

“Frankly, the students need us,” Cavazos said. “Regardless if the resources are online or in-person, they’re going to need help.”

With the ever-changing needs of the campus, and the instability of many students’ lives in this moment, Cavazos says the Libraries is needed now more than ever—and ready to rise to the challenge.

“Since students are being asked to leave campus and return home, they’re really going to need our help,” Cavazos said. “Answering research questions, helping them with citations, showing them online learning resources, guiding them through this transition—it’s not going to be easy, but we’re going to do (and have been doing) everything in our power to help them through.”

As a fairly new staff member—Cavazos joined UTA Libraries in September—she reflected on her position in the organization, expressing gratitude for her supervisors and the administration, namely Dean Rebecca Bichel.

“In this very turbulent time, the one constant I have is my job,” Cavazos said. “Because our leadership cares about us and our student workers, I feel incredibly reassured, which helps me provide better service and maintain consistency of support for our users.”

Read part three.