This page is the clearinghouse for information that has been posted on the NHAIS listserv, the NHSL web site, and associated shared Google folders and professional blogs/resources during the COVID-19 pandemic that began in early 2020. If you feel that a resource should be added to this site, please email Lori Fisher, lori.fisher@dncr.nh.gov with a short description and a link to be viewed.
Updated 6/4/2020
REOPENING NH LIBRARIES TASK FORCE RESOURCES/BEST PRACTICES DOCUMENT, version 5/20/2020
To file for unemployment in NH: visit www.nhes.nh.gov and click on the File a Claim for Benefits button on the left side of the homepage, or call the NH Unemployment Assistance Hotline, 603-271-7700.
Notice from NH Employment Security to Employees (should be given to all employees who are laid off/furloughed)
Reopening Resources
- Reopening NH Libraries Task Force Best Practices document, 5/20/2020: nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/FINAL-Reopening-NH-Libraries-Task-Force-Best-Practices-5_20_2020.pdf
- NHMA Webinar, Reopening Municipal Offices, 6/3/2020 (recording): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roBGUqoLvvw&feature=youtu.be
- NHMA webinar slides, Reopening Municipal Offices 6/3/2020: http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Reopening-Municipal-Offices-FINAL-06.03.20-002.pdf
- Town of Londonderry Reopening Plan (shared by NHMA 6/3/2020): http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Londonderry-Town-Hall-Re-Open-Plan.pdf
Best Resources about COVID-19:
- NH DHHS webpage for COVID-19: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/
- Center for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- Heritage Emergency National Task Force COVID-19 Resource Hub: https://culturalrescue.si.edu/hentf/major-disasters/current-disasters/
Statements about the COVID-19 situation & libraries:
- ALA Executive Board statement on library reopening: http://nhlibrarians.org/blog/2020/05/22/nhla-statement-regarding-reopening-of-libraries/
- ALA Executive Board statement on library closures: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2020/03/ala-executive-board-recommends-closing-libraries-public
- ALA statement about public libraries leaving WiFi on: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2020/03/american-library-association-recommends-libraries-leave-wifi-open-during
- NHLA statement on NH library closures: http://nhlibrarians.org/blog/2020/03/20/nhla-statement-regarding-library-closures/
- NH State Librarian statement re: COVID-19 (NHAIS-L 3/25/2020): http://nhlibrarians.org/my-covid19-message-nhais-3-25-2020/
- NH State Librarian message re: NH Stay-at-Home order (NHAIS-L 3/27/2020): http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MY-email-NHAIS-3-27-2020-Exec-Order-17.pdf
- NH State Librarian message re: Executive Order #17 (NHAIS-L, 4/1/2020): http://nhlibrarians.org/my-email-nhais-4-1-2020/
- Johns Hopkins report on phased reopening – guidance for State Governors (4/17/2020): https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/our-work/pubs_archive/pubs-pdfs/2020/200417-reopening-guidance-governors.pdf
- Revision by Johns Hopkins to 4/17/20 report due to feedback from librarians: https://www.forbes.com/sites/leahrosenbaum/2020/04/23/johns-hopkins-changed-its-guidance-on-re-opening-the-economy-after-pushback-from-librarians/#2d35f04e71a2
Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force:
- Official meeting minutes: https://www.nheconomy.com/reopeningtaskforce
- Notes, 4/30/2020 (by Celeste Pfieffer, Lebanon): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zo33xDsF_zdNfSxwrEJl2xtIsY0P94rxRPR_zb3JVb8/edit?ts=5eab3f6a
- Notes, 4/29/2020 (by Lynn Piotrowicz, Tucker Free in Henniker): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xz8gSRC4mIYUyJfYxbks4_DYmWCBylCY/view?ts=5ea9f33b
- Notes, 4/28/2020 (by Melissa Hutson, Enfield): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nPfhL1ItlO6Nt7V-gqgvhSpdb1ovZ_vvpsWrDbZeGjM
- Notes, 4/27/2020 (by Sondra VanderPloeg, Howe Library): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kASKa6Gzm8tLM8_JdZzQtacf3ICcIT-NzNdnNDEMNTw
- Notes, 4/24/2020 (by Amy Lappin, Lebanon): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y85-JE3hMhhqW0thpi7kUnTP7Fvh0p7jMiRfjkRNmVE/edit?ts=5ea353b9
- Notes, 4/22/2020 (by Pat Fickett, Wilton): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SzPNvwb6ufXbemNezMXSdDNVqsIGar_9FhB0OWYtw1E/edit
NH State Library homepage: https://www.nh.gov/nhsl/
- NH Governor Executive Orders related to COVID-19
- 3/16/2020 NH Governor’s memo regarding public bodies & Right-To-Know during NH State of Emergency
- NH Department of Justice scam warning re: COVID-19 (3/26/2020)
- NH Governor’s essential services memo (3/27/2020)
- Statewide Inter-Library Loan Van System suspension updates
- Updates for Public Library Data Survey data reporting due to COVID-19
- Cleaning and disinfection links from the Centers for Disease Control
- Article from American Libraries re: sanitizing collections, 3/27/2020
Trustees/Public Meetings/Friends/Charitable Orgs during State of Emergency
- NH DOJ Specific Guidance on Holding an Emergency Meeting of a Public Body 3/31/2020 (pdf)
- NH DOJ State of Emergency E-Meeting Checklist 3/31/2020
- NH Municipal Association (NHMA) overview of NH Right-to-Know law for public bodies: https://www.nhmunicipal.org/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/public_meetings_governmental_records.pdf
- NHMA overview of non-public sessions (includes template for going into and out of nonpublic session): https://www.nhmunicipal.org/town-city-article/non-public-sessions-under-right-know-law-practical-issues
- NHMA webinar, Open to the Public about NH Right to Know law (2017): https://www.nhmunicipal.org/webinar/right-know-law-open-public-primer-open-meetings
- NHMA Q&A – NH Right to Know law and ‘draft’ documents: https://www.nhmunicipal.org/town-city-article/legal-q-and-right-know-law-disclosure-%E2%80%98draft%E2%80%99-documents
- Lori Fisher email to NHAIS listserv re: budgets, budget committees 4/7/2020: http://nhlibrarians.org/email-lfisher-to-nhais-budgets-4-7-2020/
- NH DOJ Advisory to Charities concerning COVID-19 (meetings, reports to Charitable Trusts Unit, etc. – applies to Friends/Foundations): https://www.doj.nh.gov/charitable-trusts/documents/advisory-emergency-declaration.pdf
- NH DOJ Charitable Trusts Unit – Emergency Funding Resources for Charitable Organizations in NH: https://www.doj.nh.gov/charitable-trusts/documents/covid-emergency-funding.pdf
Privacy resources (pandemic-related)
- Protecting Privacy in a Pandemic webinar (5/7/2020, by ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YudBaAUe6WY
- Privacy guidelines and checklists for libraries: https://chooseprivacyeveryday.org/resources/guidelines-checklists-for-libraries/ (of particular note is the Guidelines for Vendors, since many libraries are using FREE third party apps – there are questions we should be asking about privacy before we use them)
- Calling patrons during a pandemic blog post: https://chooseprivacyeveryday.org/calling-users-in-a-pandemic-best-practices-to-protect-privacy/
Online meeting platform resources
- Consumer Reports guide to video conference services (5/15/2020): https://www.consumerreports.org/video-conferencing-services/guide-to-videoconference-services/
- Federal Trade Commission blog post, Video Conferencing: 10 privacy tips for your business (4/16/2020): https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/business-blog/2020/04/video-conferencing-10-privacy-tips-your-business
- Article, The Verge 4/1/2020 – The best alternatives to Zoom
- Zoom blog post, 4/1/2020 – A message to our users (shared by NH Department of Information Technology with state employees)
- FBI warning about teleconference hijacking, 3/31/2020 (shared by NH Department of Information Technology with state employees)
Sample Library Policies/Paperwork related to COVID-19 issues
- Press Release example regarding curbside from Portsmouth Public Library (5/26/2020): https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/library/curbside
- Wiggin Memorial Library (Stratham) Draft phased reopening plan: http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/WML-Phased-reopening-strategies-and-actions-draft-5-5-23-2020.pdf
- Wiggin Memorial Library (Stratham) draft strict social distancing policy: http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/WML-Strict-Social-Distancing-implementation-draft-5-23-2020.pdf
- Lebanon Public Library Alternative Work Guidelines (approved by Trustees on 4/29/2020 even thought document says draft): http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Lebanon-Alternative-Work-Arrangements-Guide-Draft-4-29-2020.pdf
- Converse Free Library letter(s) to employees re: status during COVID-19 – http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SharedVersion.CFL-Work-Plan-for-April-2020.pdf (general) and http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SharedVersion.CFL-Work-Plan-for-XX.-April-2020.pdf (specific to employee)
- Salisbury Free Library Pandemic Policy (based on Jaffrey policy): https://docs.google.com/document/d/16NOKMID7YjcYQGMm9b1UC8-BVyLkL0X1pXn1QaDrTds
- Jaffrey Public Library Pandemic Policy: https://www.townofjaffrey.com/sites/jaffreynh/files/uploads/pandemic_draft_2020_final.pdf
- Nesmith Library (Windham) Pandemic Policy (based on Jaffrey policy): http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nesmith-Windham-Pandemic-PolicyCOOP.pdf
- Conway Public Library FINAL policy for employees who are teleworking: https://conwaypubliclibrary.org/sites/conwaypubliclibrary.org/files/page-attachments/TEMPORARY%20TELECOMMUTING%20POLICY%202020.pdf
Mental Health/Wellness during COVID19:
- From NH Employee Assistance Program – “Tips on Coping with COVID19”: http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Tips-on-Coping-with-COVID-19.pdf
- From NH Employee Assistance Program – “Strategies to Reduce Fear”: http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Strategies_to_Reduce_Fear.pdf
- Why Online Meetings Are Wearing Us Out article (Psychology Today, 4/17/2020): https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/deviced/202004/why-video-chats-are-wearing-us-out?fbclid=IwAR1VWL-szsjy6X2yolRqAJCH4J1Tu3TDnqSaIU7JTqlE60auSJEaMvN4saY
- The Reason Zoom Calls Drain Your Energy article (BBC, 4/22/2020): https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200421-why-zoom-video-chats-are-so-exhausting?ocid=ww.social.link.email
Notes from NH Library Director virtual calls:
- Notes from NH Director’s Discussion, 4/30/2020: http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NH-Directors-notes-4-30-2020-by-JR.pdf
- Outline/brief notes from Small Library Director’s discussion 4/28/2020: http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Small-Library-director-call-notes-4-28-2020.pdf
- Outline/brief notes from NH Director’s Discussion – Employment (4/27/2020): http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NH-Directors-employment-4-27-2020-notes.pdf
- Notes from NH Director’s Discussion, 4/23/2020: http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NH-Directors-notes-4-23-2020.pdf
- Notes from NH Director’s Discussion – Employment (4/20/2020): http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NH-Directors-Employment-4-20-2020-notes.pdf
- Notes from NH Director’s Discussion, 4/16/2020: http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/4.16.2020-NHSL-Directors-Meeting-notes.pdf
- Notes from NH Director’s Discussion – Employment (4/13/2020): http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NH-Directors-Employment-4-13-2020-notes.pdf
- Notes from NH Director’s Discussion (Thurs 4/9/2020): http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NH-Library-Director-call-notes-rev-4-9-2020.pdf
- Notes from NH Director’s Discussion – Employment (4/6/2020): http://nhlibrarians.org/4-6-20-nh-director-meeting-employment/
- Notes from NH Director’s Discussion – Employment (4/3/2020): http://nhlibrarians.org/nh-library-director-disc-employment-4-3-2020-notes/
Employment/Telework Resources/Links:
- Primex bulletin: Preparing Your Workplace (5/2020): http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-Bulletin-on-Reopening_May-2020_Primex.pdf
- Plaistow Public Library Knowledge Base page regarding Unemployment Assistance in NH: http://plaistowlibrary.kwiki.io/docs/unemployment-assistance
- Contact info for NH DOL, US DOL, and NH Employment Security: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iUuOIOSsm_E6xuxwABbYtKV6-yt-TdEaUjmC0-WE9o0
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act Employee Rights poster: http://nhlibrarians.org/ffcra_poster_wh1422_non-federal/
- NH Department of Labor FFCRA Labor Law webinars, 4/14/2020: https://www.nh.gov/labor/
- Devine Millimet (attorneys) resource: Documentation Required to Support Federal Paid Leave Requests and Related Tax Credits, 4/14/2020 (on Center for NH Non-profits COVID19 web links): https://www.devinemillimet.com/federal-paid-leave-requests-and-related-tax-credits
- NH Center for Nonprofits webinar, Unemployment Benefits During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 4/10/2020: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0CXJPcSkS4GsoIOrrCM1LQ [you need to register to view this webinar; if Lori’s name/email comes up in the link simply delete and substitute our own, and you will get access to view it]
- Town of Sandown FEMA log of info: http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sandown-ics-form-214-activity-log-v3-BLANK.pdf
- CDC Implementing COVID19 Safety Practices for Workers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/critical-workers/implementing-safety-practices.html
- SHRM template docs regarding layoffs (please remember that per NHPrimex, these are international, not public sector and not NH – so does not replace NH specific and library specific legal advice – run them by an attorney if you use them BEFORE distributing): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YPmveU0lNlk7uz3cco6yLZ3Gv1y7HO5M
- US DOL Publishes Guidance on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance 4/5/2020: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20200405
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act Employee Rights poster: http://nhlibrarians.org/ffcra_poster_wh1422_non-federal/
- Governor Sununu News Release 3/30/2020 NH Boosts Unemployment Benefits, Federal Government to Pay: https://www.governor.nh.gov/news-media/press-2020/20200330-unemployment-benefits.htm
- Jaffrey PL Library Staff Goal tracking Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeo5PFGHoR9oZJr2_dbp6VWHNqyEpzbFGl8WmC60Zf0dUKAHg/viewform
- NYTimes article about CARES Act FAQS, 3/26/2020: https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.html
- NH Employment Security Scam Alert from NH DOJ: http://nhlibrarians.org/4-3-20_new-hampshire-employment-security-scam-alert-related-to-covid-19/
- Spreadsheet for sharing ideas for work librarians can do remotely (started by Amy Lappin on 3/19/2020): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M3SbMzztfWKzZiR4samnBmRoEExXJG1t1X-MhMHMToE/edit?usp=sharing
- Sandown Public Library Daily Activity Tracking Google Document template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14PovsAG4tdIAYA7Qv5PZAioNrD5Jdk5dpdGZjGMvMEE/edit
- Sandown Public Library Work List for Teleworking: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hjT6fZerqt7N0o56NCM7HCllqUQFLJDBNfWL7xL8aiU/edit
- Deb Hoadley (Sandown Public Library, Director) tips for staff teleworking: http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sandown-Library-staff-telework-tips.pdf
- Career Resources through UNH – great resources that you can refer your patrons to if they are looking for assistance with resumes, job search, etc.: https://www.unh.edu/career/career-resources
Community COVID-19 Resources Links:
- Project for Public Space article about Homelessness & COVID19: https://www.pps.org/article/homelessness-public-space-during-covid-19-seven-takeaways
- NH Legal Assistance COVID19 web resources, covering community topics such as social security, unemployment, Medicaid, food stamps, domestic violence, etc.: https://www.nhla.org/blog/NHLA-Community-Guidance-for-COVID-19-crisis-entry-76
- Clickable PDF with info from NH Legal Assistance blog entry above: http://nhlibrarians.org/community-guidance-for-covid-19-crisis/
- Email to NHAIS-L 4/3/2020 Re: Domestic Violence Resources: http://nhlibrarians.org/domestic-violence-nhais-email-4-3-2020/
- NH Supreme Court guide to in-person court proceedings during COVID-19: https://www.courts.state.nh.us/supreme/orders/3-16-20-order.pdf
Mitigating COVID-19 for museums, libraries, & archives webinar by IMLS/CDC 3/30/2020 – summary doc with link to recorded webinar: http://nhlibrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Mitigating-COVID-webinar-3-30-2020-exec-summary.pdf, and article from Library Journal summarizing webinar (4/8/2020): https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=imls-cdc-on-staff-safety-handling-paper-in-covid-19-pandemic&utm_source=editorial&utm_medium=LJTW&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=articles
Bobbi Slossar’s COVID-19 Google Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FHX4-9QtbQ_hO_H0niC1osrA3Mqc9zR7
- National Endowment for the Humanities pdf: Resources to Help Ensure Accessibility of Your Virtual Events for People with Disabilities
- NH Directors Discussion weekly call notes
- Social media post templates
- 2020 Census social media toolkit
- Digital Services & Databases
- Digital Instruction
- Digital Checklist and Updates
- Recorded audio 10 Minute Meditations
- Changes to NH Library Services survey form
- Link to view responses to NH Library Services survey
Deb Dutcher’s Online Resources:
- ASLC blog post, Virtual Programming and Patron Privacy, 4/28/2020: https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2020/04/virtual-programming-and-patron-privacy/?fbclid=IwAR09mMUsUTXMzdVoWYkuoiWtIDcmg6RYG42I-F_t4lf-4XU66uyYpt0-gr0
- ALA webinar, Considering Copyright During A Crisis (4/3/2020): https://alapublishing.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/alapublishing/recording/883198fce28a4b1ea1987752e990b0c3
- ALA Programming Librarian article about online storytimes and copyright: https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/online-story-time-coronavirus-it%E2%80%99s-fair-use-folks
- Reading aloud and fair use Google doc from another library listserv (thanks Deb Baker, MCC): https://docs.google.com/document/d/15zf0ue6aWM-_TaxQG2eALP612-E_f7A6JtoqZKxaQlM
- Link to School Library Journal list of publisher policies regarding live readings of their author’s works: https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=publishers-adapt-policies-to-help-educators-coronavirus-covid19
- 4/7/2020 Together Talk Google doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NZg9pgWU7_oajokrW5pAvtj6jIW-fq9VsoJd0V00lpY
- Weekly (Tuesdays 10 am) online Together Talk Google doc with ideas, lists, etc. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yKwcVknMASZ48szeYi2eSG1k4Khct8pkyevHS2CeeTI/edit?usp=sharing
- Deb’s Youth Services web site (with a page on Virtual Outreach, updated daily): https://www.outstandinglibrarian.org/
Master Lists of Resources being compiled by NHLA Sections on NHLA Facebook page:
- Professional Development: https://www.facebook.com/222951054482289/posts/2561381327305905/?d=n
- Teen: https://www.facebook.com/222951054482289/posts/2584271658350205/?d=n
- Children: https://www.facebook.com/222951054482289/posts/2554608067983231/?d=n
- Adult: https://www.facebook.com/NHLibrarians/posts/2589980324446005?tn=K-R
American Library Association resources/news:
- ALA Pandemic Preparedness Resources: http://www.ala.org/tools/atoz/pandemic-preparedness
- 2020 Census adjustments due to COVID-19: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/govinfo/census
- ALA Annual Conference Cancelled: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2020/03/american-library-association-cancels-2020-annual-conference-due-covid-19