StackMap Encourages Self-Directed Service in the COVID Era

New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world that has succeeded in keeping COVID-19 cases in the single-digits. We spoke with Meg Bryant, Collections Team Manager at the University of Waikato library system, about how the pandemic has influenced in-person library culture, and what role StackMap has played in encouraging self-directed service.

Since COVID began, we’ve definitely been quieter on campus. We don’t have the visitor counts that we used to have but the vibe of everyone who is here is good, and it does seem very busy. We still operate behind screens, and we don’t have as many staff out on the floor as we used to so anything to help meet one of our goals of self-service is really helpful, and StackMap is very benefiting in that way.

One of the objectives of StackMap is to move away from traditional service and increase self-service online. We’ve always been looking to change our model to enable our users to do as much as they can or want to do for themselves. Part of that is providing as many things as we possibly can to make that happen, including StackMap. Also, our classification system, the Library of Congress, can be complex for users so StackMap helps make it easier for them to find the physical library items they want in that system. 

— Meg Bryant, Collections Team Manager, University of Waikato