Welcome to the first post of our new blog, Keeping Up With the Librarians! (I know, soooo original.) We thought that this blog would be a great way for us to get in touch with you without spamming your inbox.
In our first post, we're tackling a bit of a heavy subject - the re-opening of the world as we face COVID-19.
COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, is changing how we interact with others and the environment around us. Some of us had to double as teachers this spring as our kids finished out their school year from home, some had to juggle work with little ones running around when daycare closed, and others had to deal with the loneliness that comes from social isolation. Here at the library, we all started working from home in March and, while our band of introverts loved the fact that we had tons of quiet time to do our work, we (eventually) started to miss each other, which has lead to more phone and video calls to talk about something we would normally send an email on. (Or, in some cases, to talk about what's good on Netflix... Librarians are a chatty bunch so you just never know what you'll get when we get on the phone with each other.)
Here are some of the ways that the world at large is changing while re-opening.
Work
- The traditional 9-to-5 is becoming a thing of the past and home office stipends are becoming a new perk among employers.
- Mandatory on-the-job medical screening could become the new norm.
- Cubicles are transitioning to conference spaces as office space transforms to conference centers whose purpose is for gathering, not working (at work).
- Corporate headquarters are becoming a status symbol in pricey real estate markets where employees telework.
Travel & Entertainment
- Technology, like voice recognition in elevators, and cleanliness will drive the hotel industry.
- Digital venues may become the norm in sports and live entertainment.
- Some cultural centers, like museums, are issuing ultra-wideband technology to ensure visitors stay at least 6 feet apart from each other.
Shopping
- Online shopping and robot deliveries are becoming more and more popular.
- Digital and contact payments are becoming more normal.
- Supply chain management is crucial for business.
Technology
- Distance learning is being stretched beyond colleges and universities.
- Telehealth is growing.
- 5G and communication technology has exploded.
- Automation is being accelerated.
What are some of the changes you've seen happening around you or where you live?