CE NEWS

June 11, 2020

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

Table of Contents

• Webinars You Don't Want to Miss
• Self-Care In the time of the Coronavirus
• Dangerous spike in misinformation about COVID-19
• June CE Calendar

Webinars You Don't Want to Miss

• History’s Ears are Ringing: Examining Archival Evidence of Past Pandemics
  • June 16^th  at 9:00 am
• Pairing Primary Sources and Picture Books
  • June 17^th at 10:00 am
• 5 Languages of Workplace Appreciation
  • June 18^th at 10:30 am  

Self-Care in the time of the Coronavirus

After months of uncertainty due to the Coronavirus, the subsequent economic crisis and ongoing social unrest, many people may be feeling increasing anxious. Monitoring your emotions throughout the day and including activities that support mental, emotional, and physical health are an important part of self-care. The University at Buffalo Mindful Self-Care Scale Assessment (MSCS), is a free online tool designed to help people identify areas of strength and weakness in their own self-care behavior.  The Mindful Self-Care Scale Assessment also includes suggested activities and interventions for improving your self-care practice.

Resources

• Coping in the Time of COVID-19: Librarians and health professionals discuss experiences and best practices,  American Libraries, June 1, 2020
• Putting the Self back in Self-Care: Wellness in the time of COVID-19, (National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Kernel of Knowledge Webinar presented April 28, 2020)-Panelist discuss how self-care looks different for everyone and provide techniques and tips for being present, mindful and making time for joy throughout the day.
• Preventing and Treating Compassion Fatigue with Self-Care (link is external) (Infopeople, presented April 11, 2019) - Library staff are tasked with providing more and more services for their communities despite continually shrinking budgets. Often overlooked is the importance of self-care while doing this work, including the awareness of the effects of trauma and building resiliency. 
• Reducing Workplace Stress with Mindfulness (link is external) (Infopeople, presented May 24, 2018) - Do you sometimes feel distracted at work? Do you feel pulled in too many directions simultaneously? Do you feel stress from your work life creeping into your personal time? Mindfulness is a simple practice that can help all of us reduce stress by connecting to the present moment.  
• Taking Care of Your Emotional Health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Recommendations for coping during an ongoing disaster and common signs of distress.

• Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak (SAMSHA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

 News Literacy Project Tip

Practice good information hygiene: Sanitize before you share

Dangerous spike in misinformation about COVID-19   

Merriam Webster defines misinformation as incorrect or misleading information, and disinformation as false information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planning of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth. During the COVID-19 pandemic misinformation and disinformation has been spreading as quickly as the virus itself. At a time when the public needs accurate, factual information on how to protect themselves and their loved ones, this is especially alarming.   

Resources

• Politifact How to fact check misinformation about COVID-19 (Politifact article by Daniel Funke posted on May 22^nd)  Describes the importance of fact-checking our friends and family when we see them sharing misinformation about the coronavirus.
• IFLA How to Spot Fake News-COVID 19 (The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) - An infographic designed to help librarians promote media and information literacy and stop the spread of misinformation about COVID-19.
• NewsGuard Coronavirus Misinformation Tracking Center (NewsGuard)-Since the start of the pandemic, NewsGuard staff have been compiling a list of news and information sites in the U.S. and abroad that have been publishing materially false information on the virus. The NewsGuard Coronavirus Misinformation Tracking Center is freely available online and includes a detailed report for each news and information site sharing false and misleading information. The report details who owns and finances the site, a description of the content provided from the site, the credibility of the information and whether or not the site providing information on who is creating content. Each report includes a score based on basic standards of credibility and transparency.
• World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus Myth Busters (World Health Organization)-A compilation of false beliefs and ideas on how the Coronavirus is spread, may be cured or prevented.
• News Literacy Project- National organization committed to providing educators and students with nonpartisan, independent news literacy curriculum.  
• Get smart about COVID-19 (News lit Quiz)-This simple interactive online quiz will test your ability to differentiate between factual news and opinion.

June CE Calendar

Visit the CE Calendar to see a list of all the free training webinars being offered in June.