Changes to testing kit and schedule cadence

• Harvard University will be taking over the administration and management of testing from the Broad Institute. This means that the test kit will have a different look for HMS starting in mid-August
• The Q-tip will be plastic and will be attached to the lid of the test tube
• There will be instructions in the kit on how to administer the test
• The test is still self-administered and needs to be dropped off the day you are testing at the NRB
• If you have unused, old test kits, you can still use them up until the end of August. Older test kits will not be accepted and processed after that date.
• Currently, all library staff onsite more than 4 hours a week are scheduled for testing once a week. As more students, faculty, and staff return to campus, onsite staff testing requirements will change. Vaccinated faculty and staff will be required to test once every two weeks. Unvaccinated faculty and staff will be required to test every week. However, regardless of your vaccination status, if you would like to continue testing once a week you may do so.

Mask wearing

• Masks are still required to be worn indoors
• Given the recent CDC guidelines and latest public health reports, Harvard will be keeping this requirement for the foreseeable future
• Unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to continue social distancing in addition to mask wearing

Reminders

Library hours beginning August 2nd are as follows:

       Monday through Thursday 8:00 am to 9:00 pm

       Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

       Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

       Sunday 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Security hours beginning August 2nd are as follows:

       Monday through Thursday 7:30 am to 9:30 pm

       Friday 7:30 am to 6:30 pm

       Saturday 9:30 am to 6:30 pm

       Sunday 11:30 am to 9:30 pm

The library’s staff remote work plan goes into effect August 2nd. If you have any concerns about meeting your schedule, please contact your supervisor. The University has suggested the community use this time to experiment with a variety of remote work models. The library’s model incorporates remote work, compressed schedules, change of work hours, etc. This is a Fall semester pilot for the library, and we will be gathering information on how to assess its success during the coming months. Thank you for your feedback and thoughts as we gather this information.

As the library’s daily visitors increases, I ask that you please help ensure that our lobby areas are clear of any empty delivery boxes, trash, and debris. The Café and COOP are still preparing for opening, so if you happen to notice any of these items, please contact Luciana and MJ. Please also contact them if you receive any deliveries and need assistance with breaking down/removing your boxes.

Students are returning next week and we look forward to a more robust opening of the library and the start of the new academic year.

Elaine