The Notre Dame College Clara Fritzsche Library has been awarded a State of Ohio Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) CARES Mini-Grant to purchase professional, protective equipment, support materials and other resources to facilitate safe and effective service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to the grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), awarded by the State Library of Ohio, Notre Dame has received $3,000 in stimulus funds through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The College library has been transforming its services all spring and summer to continue providing academic support to students and faculty remotely. Now, the site is preparing to welcome back the community to campus with social distancing guidelines and other protections in place. Classes begin on campus Monday, August 31.
“This grant will assist us in providing a safe and seamless library experience for the Notre Dame campus community,” said Karen Zoller, director of the College’s Clara Fritzsche Library.
With the support of the State Library of Ohio and federal funds from the IMLS, Notre Dame will purchase safety-minded, electronic peripherals including washable keyboards. The grant also will allow the library space to add plexiglass shields as partitions between workstations and new, modular furniture to support physical distancing.
Curbside service stanchions and signage will promote social distancing and direct patrons where and how to return materials safely. The grant will provide storage bins for students and staff to safely handle materials, too. Staff and patrons will have access to PPE, ranging from masks and gloves to alcohol wipes and face shields. Programming related to COVID safety also is supported by the funding.
In addition, the grant will enable the Notre Dame library to acquire webcams with tripods and microphones for telecommuting and remote learning, as well as a portable projector and scanner for digitizing course reserves and book chapters.
While the College library has always provided, and has been promoting, electronic resources in real-time, some students may be without computers or internet access. Some also may lack safe transportation to pick up and return materials or to utilize texts and other resources on reserve. These are among the reasons why Notre Dame students are excited to return to in-person, on-campus learning this fall and why the library is enhancing its offerings and environment to better facilitate student learning and faculty research.
The IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. The network advances, supports and empowers America’s museums, libraries and related organizations through grantmaking, research and policy development. The group’s vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.IMLS.gov, and follow the IMLS on Facebook, facebook.com/USIMLS; facebook.com/StateLibraryOhio; on Twitter, #US_IMLS; and #statelibohio.
This project was supported in whole or in part by federal Institute of Museum and Library Services funds, granted through the State Library of Ohio. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of IMLS or the State Library of Ohio, and no official endorsement by either agency should be inferred. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of the IMLS.
July 2020
About Notre Dame College
For almost a century, Notre Dame College has educated a diverse population in the liberal arts for personal, professional and global responsibility. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922, the College has grown strategically to keep pace with the rapidly changing needs of students and the dramatic changes in higher education. But it has never lost sight of its emphasis on teaching students not only how to make a good living but also how to live a good life.
Today, the College offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines plus a variety of master’s degrees, certification programs and continuing and professional development programs for adult learners on campus and online. Notre Dame College offers NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic programs for men and women and is located in a picturesque residential neighborhood just 25 minutes from the heart of Cleveland. Hallmarks of the Notre Dame experience include stimulating academics, personalized attention of dedicated faculty and staff, and small class sizes.
Notre Dame College is located at 4545 College Road in South Euclid. For further information contact pr@ndc.edu.