The so-called innovation is to improve or replace traditional products, processes, or services by adopting some new ideas and methods. Innovation does not mean invention.

Before the new coronavirus pandemic, many courses in central Washington University used face-to-face small class teaching, some in the form of workshops, and librarians used the traditional embedded library science mode to provide services to students.

For example, I am a subject construction librarian of computer science. There is a cs325 course in the computer department. The course is called "technical writing in computer science". This course cultivates students' ability to focus on writing, editing and moral practice in the computer field, so that students can understand what is the excellent writing standard in the computer field. The course is taught in the form of a seminar. In addition to listening to the teacher, students also improve their writing ability and skills through classroom discussion, homework and laboratory work.

Before the new coronavirus pandemic, teachers of this course usually invited me (subject construction Librarian) and my colleagues (Teaching coordination Librarian) as guest speakers to class to explain to students what resources the library has, what services it provides, how to contact librarians to obtain corresponding services, how to use the discovery platform, and how to use the discovery platform Use of professional databases (such as web of science, science direct, ACM Digital Library). I also participated in the students' experimental class. The experiment class is usually for students to search the literature related to the topic determined in the assignment through the discovery platform or professional database of the library. I usually go to the laboratory to give specific guidance when students do experiments.

However, after the outbreak of the new coronavirus pandemic, the face-to-face seminar was changed to online virtual teaching, and the face-to-face experiment of students was canceled, but the form of homework remained basically unchanged. There are many assignments for this course. One of the big assignments is to let students define a topic by themselves, then find out 10 related literatures according to the topic, and write annotated bibliography. This assignment is difficult and challenging for some students who are not familiar with library resources and have poor search ability. At this time, students who need guidance often need to make an appointment with librarians for one-to-one consultation.

In response to this change, the library purchased libcal (an electronic reservation system based on the website platform) in time to facilitate students and librarians to make reservations. The cost of this software is not expensive. For 25 users, the annual cost is about $1600, so the library can afford it. When the technical department proposed to buy the tool, it was immediately approved by the curator. In addition to the reservation function, libcal is also effectively integrated with video conferencing software (such as zoom) and librarians' work e-mail. Therefore, when a student makes an appointment successfully, a zoom meeting will be generated and an e-mail will be sent to the librarian accepting the appointment, and the appointment will be arranged in the calendar of the librarian's work e-mail, so that the librarian can grasp the appointment dynamic and make corresponding preparations in time.

At the same time, this software allows librarians to preset which working hours are convenient for appointment, such as the afternoon of 135; Add prompt information, such as prompting students to make an appointment with other librarians; Generate statistical reports, such as which students I have served since one day after the new coronavirus pandemic, the date of the video conference, student information and e-mail, whether students have defaulted or not in the video conference, etc. This information will help the library to understand students' expectations and promote the improvement of library services.

It seems insignificant for the library to add such a small software, but it really plays an important role. Libcal greatly simplifies and facilitates the students' booking process. Moreover, this software will still work even in the post pandemical period, because the pandemic has changed people's habits and behaviors. Online teaching and consultation have been widely accepted and adopted. Besides, it can also be used for routine face-to-face consultation.

Only by constantly thinking about how to innovate and improve services, can university library become the academic resource center of the University and win the trust of teachers and students.