[aisle] Did Covid Ruin Your Library Vibe?

[Kathy Wickline]

Brooke,
I have seen the same here, so it is not limited to large schools or age
groups.  Partly is to blame here is how students can't come to the library
before school because we were still trying to keep everyone three feet
apart and I am in charge of watching a hallway.  I am sure they don't see
the library as a place to hang out.  I couldn't hold book clubs during
lunch for the past two years, and now when I can, I don't see much
interest.  We had 134 kids vote two years ago in the Rebecca Caudill
elections.  Last year we had 14 and this year when I could finally have a
voting party again 34.  It will slowly go back up I am sure.  Our
Incredible Edible Festival had over 100 entries two years ago, and this
year we had 60.  Again it will slowly go back up.  This time period reminds
me of starting out as a new librarian and trying to make connections with
students and teachers (we have had so many new faces in the past two years).

What I have seen is more kids reading online with our digital collections,
but I see a lack of focus.  One of the sixth grade teachers says the
students don't have reading stamina, and I think she is correct.  I have
trouble focusing for long periods of time, too, after this experience.
Just like the students, my behavior has changed in some good ways and some
bad.

I have had different classes come to the library than in the past because
we no longer have tables in the library--just desks which are more mobile.
I have had aqueducts built in the library since I have so many outlets for
glue guns and lunar landers.  Next week aliens will invade the library.
This just happened second semester, so I am hoping more hands-on projects
will think about using the library.

I just recently quit my part-time job at the public library, and the public
libraries are having similar issues with programming and behavior.  Once
people are out of the habit of coming to the library, it is hard to get
them in the building again.  We had the bathrooms tore up by middle school
students.

As far as getting back on track again, I think it will happen if you keep
offering and building those critical relationships.  I am retiring this
year, and I have to admit I just don't have the necessary enthusiasm.

Kathy Wickline
Unity Junior High Librarian
Tolono, IL
wicklinek at unity.k12.il.us

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On Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 12:39 PM Brooke Nelson via AISLE <
aisle at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> This is more of a subjective question, but I'm wondering if others are
> going through what I am over here. I'm a high school librarian at a school
> of just under 1000. Prior to Covid, we were a hopping, joyful place, with
> significant use and circulation. After Covid granted everyone Chromebooks,
> and then students got used to not using the library, I have had a terrible
> time getting kids back in here and getting books into hands. We are no
> longer the place to be in the school. We have also had significant (likely
> record) behavior issues, insane student apathy, and issues that are a
> direct result of the trauma and disorder of the last two years. Is anyone
> else dealing with this? If so, how are you addressing it and trying to
> climb back into the previous "normalcy," or finding some new way to get
> kids back in? This is just making me sad.
>
> Thanks,
> Brooke Nelson
>
> --
> Brooke Nelson
> Library Media Specialist
> East Peoria Community High School
> 309.694.8338
>
> MAILMAN_MIMEDEFANG
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