Update – June 22 and Meeting Reminder

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Hi Everyone,

Just a reminder we are having a meeting on Zoom at 7 pm on June 24.

Below is the weekly update from Surinder.

 

In Solidarity,

Sandra

 

From: Bhogal, Surinder <Sbhogal@surrey.ca>
Sent: June 19, 2020 11:23 AM
To: SURREY PUBLIC LIBRARY <SURREYPUBLICLIBRARY2@surrey.ca>
Subject: Message from Chief Librarian – weekly update

Hi Everyone,

A few updates this week:

  • We received EOC approval to proceed with our takeout plan, and are excited to launch the service on Friday June 26. The service will be available in six town centres: City Centre, Guildford, Newton, Semiahmoo, Cloverdale and Fleetwood. It will be great to be able to offer access to materials and Summer Reading Club support  to our community.  We have done our best to plan the service and anticipate high demand after the launch, with requests stabilizing after a few weeks  This is a new service for us and, like all new services, we will assess and adapt accordingly.

  • We look forward to welcoming back about 50 staff to help with the takeout. We also look forward to seeing staff who have been working remotely return to the branches to help launch takeout and support limited online summer programs, focusing on SRC and vulnerable groups. You have done such a terrific job serving our community through our online programs and services.

  • Thank you to the Health and Safety Committee for assessing each worksite that staff will be returning to, to ensure compliance with WorkSafeBC.  All staff will receive training on new safety protocols and procedures upon their return. It will be important for each of us to take responsibility in creating a safe workplace, including practicing physical distancing, hand hygiene, and not reporting to work if sick.

  • Staff Survey – thank you to everyone who completed the staff survey. We are still reviewing results and will share the report with you next week.

  • Public Survey on Resuming Services – we received over 3200 responses on our public survey and they generally support the Library’s phased approach to reopening. Details of the survey responses are available in the June Board Agenda package which is posted here.

Stay safe and healthy,

SURINDER BHOGAL | CHIEF LIBRARIAN – SURREY LIBRARIES

Tel: 604.598.7304  Email: sbhogal@surrey.ca

June 12 Update

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Hi Everyone,

The next union meeting most likely will be happening June 24 through Zoom. More details to come.

Below is the latest update from Surinder.

As always please email any concerns to any of the executive.

In Solidarity,
Sandra

 

From: Bhogal, Surinder <Sbhogal@surrey.ca>
Sent: June 12, 2020 1:19 PM
To: SURREY PUBLIC LIBRARY <SURREYPUBLICLIBRARY2@surrey.ca>
Subject: Message from Chief Librarian – Weekly Update

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all keeping safe and healthy. It’s been a busy week and I wanted to share some highlights with you:

  • Plans for the takeout service  are well underway. Recall notices have been sent out and details are being finalized. A few additional notices may go out in the next few days. Thank you to everyone who has responded back quickly.  We anticipate launching the service on Friday June 26.

  • Surrey Libraries’ COVID-19 Safety Plan is now posted on the Intranet on the COVID-19 site. A copy was also emailed to all staff earlier this week. The plan is endorsed by the City of Surrey’s Emergency Operations Centre and Fraser Health. Fraser Health commented on what a well-thought out plan this is so kudos to the Health & Safety Committee who helped to create it.  The Health & Safety Committee is finalizing the Training Guidelines.  Both the plan and training guidelines  are ‘living’ documents, and will be updated as new information/public health orders become available. Managers will be training on the plan next week, and each staff will receive training when they start back at the branches.

  • Thank you for your questions at the Town Hall last week – there were many! We have almost completed compiling the responses and will share with you early next week.

  • We received almost 3000 responses to our Resuming Library Services Survey.  Although the survey is open until June 17, the responses indicate our community is keen to start returning materials and borrowing print materials through takeout, however, they are apprehensive about in branch services. We will share the survey results after it closes.

  • Thank you to everyone who has completed the Reopening Plans Staff Survey. Your responses will be helpful as we adapt our services while ensuring your safety. Responses are confidential and no personal data or identifying information is being collected. The survey is open until June 17, and results will be shared with staff.

  • Finally, recent events around the world have led us to pause and reflect how Surrey Libraries responds to racism. We discussed this at the Ops meeting yesterday, and there will also be a discussion at the next Library Board meeting.  Key values and themes in our strategic plan include providing equitable access, being community-focussed, and being inclusive. The Library has taken many actions over the years to encourage more diversity and inclusion, both internally in our workplace, and externally in creating awareness/understanding in our community. We recently shared an anti-racism booklist, and will be posting a storytime with an anti-racism theme.  Our Board also endorsed the Canadian Urban Libraries Statement on Race and Social Equality  when it was issued in fall 2017, and I have recently reaffirmed our Libraries’ support of this statement. We’ll share more information next week, however, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can do better. Please feel free to discuss with your managers or email me directly .

Wishing you all a safe and dry weekend,

SURINDER BHOGAL | CHIEF LIBRARIAN

May 13 – Update

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Hi,

Below is the latest update from Surinder about the recovery plan. If you have any questions or concerns please attend the town hall on Friday, there will be an invite in your work email.

If you are unable to attend please send any questions or concerns to the executive.

There will be a labour management meeting that will include the health & safety committee to discuss the plans on Wednesday, May 20.

In Solidarity,

Sandra

From: Bhogal, Surinder <Sbhogal@surrey.ca>
Sent: May 13, 2020 4:06 PM
To: SURREY PUBLIC LIBRARY <SURREYPUBLICLIBRARY2@surrey.ca>
Subject: Chief Librarian Update – Surrey Libraries DRAFT Recovery Plan (May 12 version)

Hi Everyone,

Please see attached a draft Surrey Libraries Recovery Plan outlining our phased approach to reopening.

Library Management, Union, and Health and Safety Committee reviewed the plans earlier this week and there were many good questions/comments. The plans have also been shared with the City of Surrey Emergency Operations Centre and will be reviewed by Fraser Health. The services proposed in our phases are similar to public libraries across BC and Canada.  More detailed plans are also underway for level 2, which involves a takeout service.

During this incredibly unusual time, plans are fluid as new information becomes available. Our timelines are cautious and we propose a gradual approach to reopening. Our plans are aligned to the City of Surrey’s overall strategy on reopening civic facilities. The priority is to ensure a safe return to work for our staff, and resume more services to our community.

I’ll host a MS Teams meeting on Friday morning to describe our planning to date, provide updates, answer questions, and listen to your feedback. The meeting is open to all staff, union and exempt, retained and temporarily laid-off. The meeting is entirely optional – I’ll continue to send weekly email updates if you aren’t able to make the meeting.

Please watch out for a meeting invite and I look forward to seeing many of you on Friday.

I hope you are all staying safe.

SURINDER BHOGAL | CHIEF LIBRARIAN

May 20 Meeting

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Hi Everyone,

We will be having a general meeting on May 20 at 6:30. The meeting will take place on Zoom.

To get the link and password, contact a member of the executive.

If you are unable to attend but have questions, please forward them to any executive member.
Thank You

In Solidarity
Denise
CUPE 402-02 Chair
Surrey Library workers

 

EI and CERB Webinar

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Hi,

The City of Surrey with Service Canada has arrange for information sessions for staff that are temporarily laid-off.

The information is below.

In Solidarity,

Sandra

From: Sangha, Mandy <MSangha@surrey.ca>
Sent: May 7, 2020 10:49 AM
To: SURREY PUBLIC LIBRARY <SURREYPUBLICLIBRARY2@surrey.ca>
Subject: Register for the EI and CERB Webinar

Arrangements have been made for Service Canada to host information/webinar sessions to help guide staff, who have been temporarily laid-off, through the Employment Insurance and CERB benefits application processes.  There will also be a Q&A at the end of the webinar for participants to ask general questions via chat directly to the moderator.

The 1-1.5 hour sessions will give an overview of the two programs, the eligibility requirements, and how to apply.

Please register for the EI and Canada Emergency Response Benefit Webinar.

The webinar sessions will take place on the following days:

  • Session 1: Thursday, May 14 at 11:00am
  • Session 2: Thursday, May 21 at 11:00am
  • Session 3: Tuesday, May 26 at 11:00am

To attend a webinar, please complete the online registration form. Please note: webinar spaces are limited. Registration closes the day prior to each session at 11am.

Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with the link to join within 24 hours of the information session.

To make any changes to your registration date, please contact HumanResources@surrey.ca

Thank you,

Mandy

MANDY SANGHA, BBA, CPHR | MANAGER, HUMAN RESOURCES

SURREY LIBRARIES

10350 University Drive, Surrey, BC, Canada V3T 4B8
T 604.598.7415 | www.surreylibraries.ca