March 19 Update

Hi Everyone,

Please take the time to care for yourself and your family.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact a member of the executive.

Please pass this email to anyone who needs it.

In Solidarity,
Sandra


 

A new page is added to the system sub-site of surrey library citynet.

Title: Message from Chief Librarian – March 19, 2020

URL: https://citynet.surrey.ca/departments/libraries/system/Pages/Message-from-Chief-Librarian—March-19%2C-2020.aspx

Created By: Seline Kutan

Created Date: 2020-03-19 5:08:25 PM

News Content:

Message from Chief Librarian – March 19, 2020

 

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your patience, resourcefulness and resiliency in this challenging time. I am committed to providing you daily updates and share as much information with you as available. Your questions and concerns are forwarded to me from your managers and union rep. The Ops team meets daily via teleconference to discuss solutions and I am providing updates to you here from those meetings.

Yesterday we had a joint meeting with the union executive, and we had a labour management meeting today. In these fast-changing times, decisions are being updated with new information daily. Where possible, we align with the City of Surrey practices, so please continue to read the ‘Staff Communications’ emails from the City. Here are some updates from today:

  • Branch book drops will be closed and deliveries to Collections Services are being cancelled to minimize the risk of exposure.
  • InterLINK and InterLibrary loans have been suspended.
  • Dues dates and holds have been extended to April 30.
  • We’ve seen a rise in the use of our online resources and we’re investigating options for people to register for a new card remotely.
  • We’re working on updating branch voicemail messages to indicate branches are closed.
  • We’ve developed guidelines around working remotely and we’ll be prioritizing the projects that can be worked on remotely and assessing the availability of laptops to perform this work.
  • Staff who are within walking distance of a branch may switch their shifts to that branch to avoid travel on public transit – ask your manager if this applies to you.

We have heard that many of you are questioning why you are still being asked to come to work when public libraries across Canada are sending library staff home. We appreciate and understand your concern. These decisions are made at a local level in alignment with municipalities. Closing the Library to the public has reduced the level of risk, and we have adopted social isolation measures for staff coming in to work. While the Library is not open to the public, it is still operating and there is work for staff to do. In Surrey our city colleagues are still working at City Hall and many other City locations and continue to serve the public.

We are working to minimize risk for staff which is why we are closing book drops and canceling deliveries to Collections Services. Additionally, work schedules will no longer be limited to daytime only in order to spread out shifts and further reduce the number of people working at one time. Finally, we are reviewing options for remote work, although this may not be possible for all job functions.

If you are still uncomfortable about coming in to work, you may choose to remain home and use your vacation leave or banked time.

As the days progress, and we continue to face challenges and uncertainty, please take care of yourself. I encourage you to take advantage of the Employee and Family Assistance program, open to all staff including casuals. Do fun things – yoga, go for walks in the sunshine, have a daily branch dance party! We have amazing staff who are caring and kind, and even though our world is changing, I’m so fortunate to be in a workplace with such dedicated and wonderful staff!

Surinder Bhogal, Chief Librarian

 

Important Reminders:

  • If you have flu like symptoms, do not come to work. Stay home and take care of yourself.
  • If you have been ill and no longer have any symptoms of illness, you may return to work. Medically clearance to return to work is only required for people with confirmed cases of COVID-19.
  • Wear gloves when handling material and try not to touch your face.

Book drops will be closed from tomorrow, but if you are able to do so safely, clean returned items.

COVID-19 Compared to other common conditions

Symptoms Covid-19 Cold Flu Allergies
Fever Common Rare Common Sometimes
Fatigue Sometimes Sometimes Common Sometimes
Cough Common
(usually dry)
Mild Common
(usually dry)
Sometimes
Sneezing No Common No Common
Aches & Pains Sometimes Common Common No
Runny or
Stuffy Nose
Rare Common Sometimes Common
Sore Throat Sometimes Common Sometimes No
Diarrhea Rare No Sometimes for children No
Headaches Sometimes Rare Common Sometimes
Shortness of Breath Sometimes No No Common

Sources: WHO, CDC, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

 

March 18th Update

Hi Everyone,

In these unprecedented times communication is key.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact a member of the executive.

Please pass this email to anyone who needs it.

In Solidarity,
Sandra


Title: Message from Chief Librarian – March 18, 2020

URL: https://citynet.surrey.ca/departments/libraries/system/Pages/Message-from-Chief-Librarian—March-18%2C-2020.aspx

Created By: Seline Kutan

Created Date: 2020-03-18 4:48:27 PM

News Content:

Message from Chief Librarian – March 18, 2020

Please rest assured that we’re sharing information as we’re getting it. We are working closely with the City, and do not have answers to all your questions. We appreciate your patience as we work through some complex and unique issues.  Here are some things we are working on:

Concerns around handling materials, accepting returns, and accepting deliveries at CS.

The reason we left book returns open is that very little advance notice was given to the public.  We are hearing that materials are still being returned, and we also want there to be tasks for staff to work on. However, we understand staff concerns and want to minimize risks in the workplace.  We are reviewing this and should have more information for you tomorrow.

Options to work remotely

We’re working on options for our staff to work remotely and should be able to share guidelines. Not all positions are suited to remote work so we are reviewing this carefully and will have more information in tomorrow’s update.

System and Branch Projects

We’ve started an inventory of projects to work on in the system and at branches, and remotely – thanks to all of you have brought ideas.

I had a conference call with BC Public Library Directors this afternoon and everyone is dealing with the same issues as us.  It is a time of great uncertainty throughout the world, and many public libraries are working closely with municipal counterparts on our approaches.

I urge you to continue practicing social isolation when at work, and not come in if experiencing flu-like symptoms.  We have been providing daily updates and instructions, and things are changing very rapidly. Please read both the City and Library updates, and talk to your manager or reach out to me if you have any questions.

March 17th Update and Meeting Change

Hello everyone,

With the change in work hours, we will be available from 7 pm to 9 pm for questions instead of the regular meeting time in the new office.

The union office is located at 5699 176 Street.

If you are sick, please stay home and email any questions to cupe40202secretary@mail.com

Please pass along this email to any of our members.

In Solidarity,
Denise


A new page is added to the system sub-site of surrey library citynet.

Title: Message From Chief Librarian – March 17, 2020

URL: https://citynet.surrey.ca/departments/libraries/system/Pages/Message-From-Chief-Librarian—March-17%2C-2020.aspx

Created By: Seline Kutan

Created Date: 2020-03-17 4:00:14 PM

News Content:

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for coping and working together during this challenging time.  Here are some updates and answers to questions you’ve sent. As the week evolves, information may change so continue to check your emails daily while you are in the branch or from home. If you do not have email access from home, let your manager know and make alternate arrangements to be notified of updates.

1.     How can I stay informed?

Please read emails regularly. Daily operations managers meetings have been established via teleconference. The union executive will be joining these meetings tomorrow. Decisions are made with the best current information available; however, may change very quickly as the situation evolves.

That is why we are urging you to be proactive and diligent in reading email updates, and communicating with your managers or union exec. Make sure your contact information is updated in PeopleSoft, and in your branch contact lists so we have your current information to reach you.

Managers please establish an area in branch where all updates are printed for staff to refer to.

2.     Can you clarify how staff will be paid?

All staff – including regular full-time, part-time, casuals, casuals in temporary positions, and clerks will be paid for scheduled shifts until further notice. The Library is aligned with the City in this practice. The City must analyze the financial and operational impacts of its closures and form a longer-term position. We will communicate this to you as soon as we have this certainty. We expect this to occur in the coming days.

Staff are expected to continue to report to work for their scheduled shifts until further notice. Shifts may be switched to the day shift – please arrange with your managers.

If staff choose / select to not report for their scheduled shift and there is work for them, staff will not be paid for that time.

These are difficult times for everyone and we appreciate your patience as we work through what is a rapidly evolving situation.

3.     Can I cancel my VL?

We are working on this. While we always try to be flexible for our staff we want to provide a consistent way of handling these requests for overall fairness, considering things like whether coverage was already arranged, importance of the role/individual being at work, advance notice of the requested change, length of leave, etc.  Additionally, there could be a challenge if everyone cancels now and takes VL when we reopen, we may not have enough staff/coverage to schedule all the days off in future.

4.     Will you be canceling casual shifts?

At this time, all scheduled shifts will continue during the closure until further notice.

5.     Will I be expected to attend meetings?

Large meetings will be moved to online/telephone where possible, or cancelled where not. Practice social distancing for any in person meetings.

6.     Self-Isolation reminder: If you have been out of the country and return after March 12, you are required to self-isolate for 14 days. Staff in self-isolation continue to be paid and may be able to work from home. Please alert your manager.

7.     Why are staff being asked to work?

The situation is very fluid and we are working closely with the City and with direction from public health. Please continue to check your emails daily. While at work we ask you to continue practicing social distancing measures such as:

  •  Keep 1 meter & a half away from each other while working
  • Shared Food – Please don’t bring in food to share
  • Keyboards/Mice / Staff Phones – Wipe down all computer keyboards / mice before using (staff are touching them too)
  • Wear gloves if hands are getting irritated from continuous washing, but don’t touch face
  • Washing Hands – When you wash your hands, wash them in bathroom, not the kitchen
  • Taking breaks – with maximum staff coming in at the same time, scatter breaks, limit of 2-3 staff in staff room, depending on size of staff room, have your break out in the public areas
  • Workspace Offices can be very small – maximize distance between staff, use laptops
  • Circ. rooms are small – maximize distance between staff, alter tasks so few staff are in the back room

We’re monitoring the City’s and the Province’s approach and direction and will change course as needed or directed.

 

Surrey Libraries Closing for Indefinite Period as of the end of the day today

CUPE 402-02 Members,

As you may have heard, all branches will be closed to the public starting on Monday, March 16th.

Surinder sent an email (below) to all staff.

Please report to work as scheduled tomorrow.

Please feel free to contact me or any Executive members if you have questions.

In Solidarity,
Denise


The following is a message from Surinder regarding the library closing.

Hi all,

For staff that are working today, please could you post notices on your branch doors, and let the public know that libraries will be closed indefinitely as of end of day today. We’ll send some system wide notices tomorrow, post publications for the public, and further instructions for staff tomorrow.

Staff, please report to work as per your normal schedule for tomorrow until you receive further instructions. Staff will continue to be paid until further notice. More information will be provided very soon as we anticipate you will have questions.

Our key concern is to minimize prevention of the virus in the community to public and our staff. We will continue to offer services online and staff can still work inside the branches and CS.

Thanks so much for your patience as we work through this. It is unprecedented times.

Surinder