Staff Call-Out | What have I learned while working remotely?

Doris Wagner, Librarian (Law, Sociology, MLCS, History, CSL, & Wirth Institute)

When the Internet stops it’s full outright panic mode and chaos ensues and all you can think is oh ****. Over the last year there were a few times where I had no power due to construction or plugging too many appliances in and blowing a fuse. It’s nerve racking when it happens, as everything pretty much stops. I then ran to my phone and used my data to get info or get my power going again. It’s interesting how hyper aware you become of the importance of having access to the Internet and how lucky you really are, as some people deal with problematic or having no access to Internet all the time.

Eva Romanick, Information Services Specialist

Life hack 101: For times when you are missing Snagit from your “at work” computer > SHIFT-FUNCTION-S on a PC lets you screen capture the info you need when helping people (COMMAND-SHIFT-3 on a Mac). Sometimes, a picture really is worth a 1000 words, especially when it’s Monday morning and your words simply can’t describe what a picture can.

Cathie Crooks, Associate Director/Manager Planning & Operations, University of Alberta Press

I have really “leaned into” the power of Google Docs and Sheets as collaborative tools. Our team has used them intensively during this period of working from home.

Meredith Bratland, Strategic Communications Manager

Collaboration can happen effectively outside of the team meeting. Or as I like to think, “Less meetings, more calm!”

Dale Askey, Vice-Provost (Library & Museums) and Chief Librarian

I learned that it’s very easy during a pandemic to discover that I haven’t even stepped outside for several days in a row.

Starting earlier this year, I really pushed myself not only to get outside, but to carve out the time to engage in winter activities that get me way out of the house.