Last Friday I said I would write more on Monday, and now it’s the next Monday. I guess I was waiting until I had some good news on the sign project, which I think I do. Most of you know that the sign replacement project begun last year has taken a long time to come to fruition and has had some bumps along the way. We still have some of the new signs that need replaced because or errors and some that need repositioned, and we are working with Facilities to be sure that happens soon. The other issue is the so-called patch and paint project to cover the areas the old signs covered that the new ones don’t. We hope that will be complete in a few months. It’s been a rocky road, but I for one am glad to have signs to direct people to the elevators and to research help, and know new signs are worth the hassle in the end.
The door controllers at Ellis have been another challenge. They are not behaving consistently. Security and other staff are working to get them straightened out. Luckily ,most of you are unaffected by this.
While we’re talking about doors, I have to mention the Ellis loading dock door area. Campus Disability Services advises us that it is not a safe entrance by ADA standards, and strongly recommends we not allow anyone to use it except for specific business purposes. So that is what we really have to do, for insurance purposes. I know this is an inconvenience for some, and walking around the south wall of Ellis is annoying at times, but that is the route that is cleared when snow falls, and that’s the one we have to use. Some have complained about the bricks on that route. The bricks can be slippery, and we need to be sure we document every time a person falls or slips, to add fuel to our arguments to have them removed or changed. If any of you fall or slip on the bricks by either door to Ellis, notify Kathy Peters as well as your supervisor. The loading dock door, however, cannot be used as a regular or disability-justified entrance. No one has permission to do that, and if you did temporarily, it’s cancelled. (Sorry to sound like the Grinch here!)
Of course, with bad weather potentially coming sometime this winter, I encourage you all to use your own judgment and not endanger yourselves, ever. Please stay home if you think you are at risk coming to work. Don’t be a hero; take care of yourself and your family members first. Only a few people are judged “situationally critical” and they know who they are. A day of leave is a small price to pay for safety and health. Coming in late is also sometimes a possible solution and I ask all supervisors to be flexible. As I’ve stated before, so many of our library services are available online that if given a choice, the Libraries will always close when the campus does.
Here’s hoping for happy holidays for all, lots of good weather in January, and seeing you all at our All Staff Meeting on January 11 in Ellis Auditorium! Thanks for all your work as always.
Ann