Compassionate Computing in the Time of COVID-19: Interview with Laurie N. Taylor

Abstract

When COVID-19 was recognized as a global pandemic and offices, clinics, and academic centers closed in the spring of 2020, many librarians found themselves answering reference questions, teaching, meeting, facilitating access to information resources, and organizing resources remotely. In the transition from traditional offices and workspaces to work from home, librarians and their administrations faced many challenges and adapted to a variety of new technologies. Video-conferencing and phone-forwarding tools were being used in new ways or for the first time. Instead of addressing technology that librarians adopted or adapted in greater numbers during the global pandemic, this column will examine an attitude of care and approach to technology called “compassionate computing” that helped ease the transition to work from home during an unprecedented time.

Keywords:

• Compassionate computing
• emerging technology
• libraries
• minimal computing

Acknowledgments

The author would like to acknowledge the significant contributions to this article from Laurie N. Taylor, Chair of the Digital Partnerships & Strategies Department at the University of Florida George A. Smathers Library. Her support and explanations of the concepts and applications of compassionate computing created a firm foundation for this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ariel Pomputius

Ariel Pomputius, MLS ([email protected]) is an Assistant University Librarian, University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries, 1600 Southwest Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA.