Quick Pivots: Maintaining an Agile Approach to Outreach During an Evolving Crisis

Abstract

As the University of New Mexico responded to the coronavirus pandemic during the spring and summer of 2020, the University Libraries piloted enhanced virtual outreach initiatives, including an online event series and scaled-up social media activity. The Summer of Sci Fi (SoSF) consisted of three Zoom-facilitated programs that offered fun activities designed to engage a socially distanced campus community while highlighting various library resources. Numerous “quick pivots” were necessary to accommodate unpredictable circumstances throughout the pilot implementation. This experience has demonstrated the advantages of approaching outreach with an agile stance, particularly during a crisis.

Keywords

• outreach
• organizational agility
• social media
• event planning
• coronavirus