Connection in the Time of COVID: Facilitating Staff Engagement in a Virtual Environment
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
In 2017, UNC Wilmington’s Randall Library centered employee wellness as one of its corevalues in the Library’s new strategic plan, including the action area of “Positive OrganizationalCulture.” To meet our new goals, we created “Team Randall.” Team Randall’s membershipconsists of representatives from every library department and its purpose is to developteam-building opportunities for library staff. While pre-pandemic activities ranged frombowling nights, to bingo games, to scavenger hunts, the COVID-19 pandemic presented aunique challenge to our mission of creating and maintaining a positive, connected libraryteam. Through inventive programming such as staff curated music playlists, live, in-charactermystery events, and various show and tell opportunities, Team Randall was able tosuccessfully support Randall Library’s staff in a time of disconnection and distress. In thispresentation, current and former members of the committee will discuss the importance ofstaff engagement in a library’s workplace culture, expand on their approaches to developingengagement activities remotely, and share several virtual activities that can be adapted forstaff in all libraries.
