Last week, under the auspices of a Harvard University-wide Research Restart oversight committee, HMS unveiled it's draft school-specific research restart plan. It is unclear when HMS will implement this plan as of this writing, but today, the governor announced May 25th as the date when labs and offices can reopen. The purpose of the school plan is to be ready so when we are given the green light to reopen, the start will be smooth and speedy. This approach will still be phased, not all labs will open and not all staff and researchers will be in the labs at the same time. The plan calls for physical distancing, appropriate PPE, etc.
Provost Alan Garber has asked University Librarian Martha Whitehead to lead a similar restart effort for Harvard Libraries. The Harvard Library Leadership Team (LLT), on which I serve, and the Harvard Library Emergency Management Team are working on the overall framework. The Countway restart plan being worked on by our site-specific Emergency Management Team and concepts which I have shared with you will appear as an appendix to the Harvard Libraries plan document.
The specifics of Countway’s Phase I plan is increasing in detail. General concepts include: working in assigned teams, working a specific shift, remaining separated from construction crews, working only on the tasks which require in-building access. We are now working on job details such as handling and disinfection of equipment, the process for staff check-in and out, supplying masks and hand sanitizer and wipes, directional signage for access to various floors on which staff will work, etc. In addition, we will have specific instructions on how to do the work and training for those of us not familiar with certain tasks. In addition to library-specific plans, we will incorporate and adhere to HMS and HU specific Covid-19 return to work protocols.
We are moving from the writing of our plan into the approval and poised phases. During these phases, we will receive more details from administration for approval and we will obtain the necessary equipment, supplies, and put signage in place. Our objective is to be ready when we are given the green light.
Please be assured that our plan will incorporate the HMS specific return to work safety protocols and HR policies and procedures. This onsite work will focus only on those tasks which require access to physical items. We are committed to the health and safety of our employees as we plan to restart services that require in-building access. All other Countway services will remain remote and staff will continue to work from home until the campus and its libraries officially reopen at full capacity when they are not scheduled to be onsite.
To my staff- thank you for all you are doing to make our services and resources available. Despite our best efforts, there are some important library collections and services that cannot be accessed or completed remotely or by working from home. This plan addresses those items.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.
Elaine