Human Connections in a Time of Pandemic

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay 

There has been alot of hard work going on over the past few weeks. I'm thinking especially of hard emotional work we are doing.  So today, I want to share a selection of resources that speak especially to our own needs - as a person; as a spouse or partner; as a parent; as people with parents, grandparents and other family members we care for and care about as a friend. It's important we value ourselves in the midst of so much confusion.

The Discomfort You're Feeling is Grief - David Kessler. Harvard Business Review
I thank Leah Langby of IFLS for this link and encourage you to read her blog post, Naming and Finding Meaning in Our Grief, reflecting on Kessler's article.

Also from the IFLS blog Keeping Up with Kids is a post by Leah: Managing Anxiety Positively with some thoughful tips and a great link from Ryan Dowd on generosity.

Richard Davidson a neuroscientist and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds at UW-Madison "explores how appreciation, compassion and the realization of interconnectedness can help us weather the global pandemic" in COVID-19  and Our Common Humanity

Now that so many schools are closed, families are spending more time with their kids at home. In this blog post, Traditional Indigenous Kinship Practices at Home: Being Child-Centered During the Pandemic, Andrea Landry speaks deeply about the importance of kinship and the ways that being with our children calls to long and vital tradition. As an Anisinaabe woman who works closely with other indigenous people, her thoughtful approach can help us re-appreciate the gift of children in our lives.

Finally, poetry reading, concerts, live music, yoga sessions are streaming everywhere. Take some moments to connect virtually to things that feed your soul!

There are additional resources and readings in this recent YSS blog post about coping with stress

Links to YSS COVID-19 series:

Online Storytimes

Getting Started with Virtual Storytimes  5/27/20

Virtual Storytime – Tips on Fair Use & Kids’ Privacy 5/4/20

“How to Do a Virtual Storytime” Webinars 4/13/20

Tips on Doing Online Storytimes During COVID-19 Closures 3/16/20; updated 3/20/20

Storytime Goes Digital 3/20/20

Digital Storytimes- You Do You! 3/31/20

Digital Storytime, Screen Time and Intentionality – Oh My 4/6/20

Facebook Live Online Storytime Tips 3/24/20

Fixing "My Book is Backwards in Online Storytime!" on iPhone 3/22/20

SLP & Programming Resources

Summer Scavenger Hunt Fun 5/30/20

Digital Escape Rooms – the Holy Grail  5/26/20

SLP Virtual and Offline Program Ideas for Teens/Tweens  5/22/20

Virtual and Offline Programs for Summer and Beyond  5/6/20

“Grab-&-Go” Activity Kit Ideas  5/5/20

DIY Family Activities for SLP from CSLP 5/1/20

Offline and Feeling Fine: Ideas for Programming Unvirtually  4/29/20

Virtual Programming & SLP Ideas for YOU! 4/25/20

Beyond E-Storytimes: Virtual Services and Programs for Youth 4/22/20

Using Premier for Virtual Programming on Facebook 3/24/20

Re-Opening and Safety Issues

We’re Re-opening – Coping with Reluctant Patrons and Programming 6/1/20

We’re Re-Opening – Cleaning and Disinfecting Youth Areas  5/13/20

COVID-19 and Libraries: Your Questions Answered with Dr. Dipesh Navsaria 5/19/20

Permissions (Books, Authors and Music)

Want Permission? Current Info on Publishers and Authors 3/22/20; updated 4/23/20

      Music Permissions? Look No Further  3/27/20; updated 3/31/20

Professional Development

Webinar - Summer Learning Through Our Public Libraries in a Time of COVID-19  5/18/20

Confronting Xenophobia and Supporting Asian and Asian/Pacific Communities Webinar 4/21/20

Working From Home During COVID-19 4/19/20

Need to Keep Up? Free Online Professional Development  3/21/20

Webinar -Remote and Online Services & Resources for Youth Librarians  3/25/20

Free Children’s/Teen Professional Journal Access 3/28/20

Creating Accessibility in Your Online Programming 4/15/20; updated 4/23/20

Kids Resources

Curated List of Free COVID-19 EBooks for Kids 4/27/20

Infographic to Help Parents with Tech Time During COVID-19 4/2/20

Tips on Safe and Inclusive Gaming/Livestreaming for Families 4/6/20

Talking to Kids About COVID-19  3/28/20

Ear Ticklin’ Listening/Viewing for Kids at Home 3/30/20

WI Online Program Data

Data Collection for Virtual Programs 3/17/20

More Info on Data Collection for Virtual Programs 3/19/20

Friday FAQs with Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

4/10/20 recording       4/17/20 recording          4/24/20 recording        5/1/20 recording               5/8/20 recording

5/15/20 recording       5/22/20 recording; 5/29/20 recording

Taking Care of You 

Human Connections in a Time of Pandemic  3/27/20

Feeling Stress? Keeping Calm in a Difficult Time 3/21/20