Resources for Emergency Short-Term Teaching & Working Remotely: Working from Home

Establish a routine.

• Set work hours for yourself and try to stick to them every day. Communicate them with your team.
• Go through your normal get-ready-for-work routine. Getting dressed for the day helps put you in a mindset of “going to work” even if you’re just walking across the hall.
• Allow yourselves to take reasonable breaks. During these breaks try to stay away from things that will distract you for a while, like watching TV or napping, but do take time to relax your brain.

Set up a working space.

Normally you’d want to have a clean, professional space set up just like in your Library office. However in this situation, we might not all have the privilege of a dedicated space. So, do your best to set up a space that is one you can return to every morning. Having a dedicated space to work helps you leave it at the end of the day, just as you would leave work, and help maintain a healthy mental separation. Ensure your workspace has the following characteristics:

• Limited distractions.
• Well-lit, organized, and comfortable enough for you to be at for your work day.
• Include all the tech you would need for your work day, such as computer or laptop.
• Be sure your workspace includes good ergonomic design.

Keep track of work.

• Keep a to-do list. There are many extra things to think about during this emergency remote situation, and keeping a running list will free up valuable brain space.
• Keep a list of things you complete. This may seem annoying, but it helps you have a visual list of what you’ve accomplished and may work as a reminder to keep yourself on track. Additionally, it infuses accountability into your workflow should anyone inquire about what you’ve been working on.

Keep lines of communication open.

In an office, you can go to someone’s desk and talk to them. Remotely, you can use technology to mirror this as much as possible.

• Keep Microsoft Teams (or other chat application) open during your work hours. It connects with your Outlook calendar to let people know when you are or aren’t available to talk.
• Keep your Outlook calendar up to date.

Files saving.

Be sure you have all files from your office computer saved in a location you can access while working from home. The Library's web file manager service, HTTP Commander, allows you to connect to the Library's network drives from the Cloud. You also have one terabyte of space available via Microsoft OneDrive when you log in using your O-Key credentials.

It's best to make use a cloud file service to ensure files don't get lost while working remotely or when transferring back to your office computer.

Connecting to the Internet. 

If possible, connect your Internet via Ethernet cable for a more reliable experience. WiFi will still work if Ethernet isn't available. Note that if it isn’t a fast connection, you may have issues with hearing or transmitting sound when using Zoom.

Computer Safety

At the Library, the Systems department ensures you work on secure computers and networks. While at home, it's important to also be sure that you are working on secure computers and networks. This means making sure your home WiFi is password protected and that your computer is up to date with virus and malware protection. If you're using a Systems-issued laptop or Surface, this is already equipped with this software.