COVID-19 Resources

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation progresses—certainly making for unsettling times—we learn more each day which allows us to establish a plan for moving forward.

Like you, we’re following recommendations and guidelines from the ALA, the CDC, and the KY governor’s office. Now is the time for us to provide steady, thoughtful, and hopeful guidance. For the most up-to-date information, please see:

• https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Kentucky Updates & Resources

• The official Team Kentucky source for information concerning COVID-19
• Gov. Andy Beshear's Communications Office (news releases, other advisories)
• Gov. Andy Beshear's YouTube Channel - all posted news conference videos.
• Cabinet for Health and Family Services COVID-19 Resources - information and links to resources related to CHFS agency response to COVID-19 and its impact on programs, services and people.
• KY Employer Guide to Unemployment Insurance Changes during State of Emergency
• Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Businesses, Workplaces, Schools, and Public Spaces This pdf resource provides a general framework for cleaning and disinfection practices with links to industry-specific guidelines.

Industry Resources

• ALA's Pandemic Preparedness Guidelines

Crowdsourced resources

• U.S. public library closings (March 2020), created by Michael Sauers (Do Space), Julie Erickson (Technology & Innovation in Education) and Heather Braum (Northeast Kansas Regional Library System)
• U.S. college and university closings (or shifts to online classes), created March 2020 by Brian Alexander (Brian Alexander Consulting, LLC)
• Academic library LibGuides related to COVID-19 (March 2020), created by Emily Ford (Portland State University)

Professional development/training resources

• Association of College and Research Libraries: Open Learning for Uncertain Times, a collection of easily accessible options for free online professional development opportunities to help you build your skills during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Open Culture offers free courses on the new Coronavirus, COVID-19
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a Pandemic Influenza Template to help organizations develop a Pandemic Influenza Continuity of Operations Plan. 
• The National Library of Medicine (NLM) provides a self-paced course on setting up a Continuity of Operations Plan, as well as multiple resources on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) provides Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic, with information on ways influenza can spread and steps every employer can take to reduce the risk of exposure to pandemic influenza in their workplace, 
• The U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 resource page includes guidance specific to elementary, secondary, and higher education settings.

Mental Health Resources

• Free webinar: "Libraries & COVID-19: Managing Stress"
• Manage Anxiety & Stress, from the CDC
• Coronavirus Anxiety: 4 Ways to Cope with Fear, from PsychCentral 
• Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks, from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• PBS Kids offers some de-stressing activities that familes can engage in together, to help manage the stress associated with widespread illness.

National Library Associations Resources

• American Library Association
• American Association of Law Libraries
• American Theological Library Association
• Association of College & Research Libraries
• Association for Library & Information Science Education
• Association of Research Libraries
• International Federation of Library Associations & Institutions
• Medical Library Association
• ProLiteracy Worldwide
• Special Libraries Association

Additional resources

• The Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) has provided recommendations on disinfecting circulating books in library collections.

• The CDC has a page offering Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers, which includes advice on keeping workspaces clean and how to guide employees towards practicing good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene. They also offer properties of an ideal disinfectant. 
• The ALSC Blog offers Best Practices for Cleaning Play and Learn Spaces in libraries - with advice that could be applied to all frequently-touched surfaces during an outbreak of influenza or other viruses
• NPR offers a somewhat lighthearted look at proper hand-washing technique with their article "How to Do a Really Good Job Washing Your Hands"
• The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has a resource page on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), including a printable fact sheet.
• A page of myth-busting infographics from the World Health Organization to download and share.
• Consumer Reports offers help to kill Coronavirus in your car without damaging surfaces.
• CDC Free Handwashing Posters These printable posters can be used to help raise awareness about handwashing in highly visible public areas, such as schools, workplaces, and restrooms. They are designed for all audiences, and some are available in multiple sizes and languages, and can be ordered for free via CDC-Info on Demand.