By Brenna Mackay
Since Carleton University’s MacOdrum Library closed its doors in March in response to COVID-19, library staff have continued to work remotely to support the Carleton community using extensive digital tools, including the recent addition of the massive HathiTrust digital repository.
“We have library staff who are available to help students and faculty with their research needs, connection problems and account assistance online,” says Mike Reynolds, the library’s communications officer.
Mike Reynolds
The OMNI Help Guide provides search tips and detailed help on finding electronic resources through the library’s academic search tool. Additional help with navigating electronic resources is available from librarians through chat and text.
Library patrons can still proceed with placing a request for material from other libraries through their RACER account. For course reserves, the library has been purchasing e-books when available and will obtain digitized chapter(s) and ensure copyright compliance.
And Carleton is now a member of HathiTrust, a digital repository of millions of books, serials and other materials from research institutions and libraries from around the world, something University Librarian Amber Lannon says will greatly benefit students.
Amber Lannon
“We are one of just a handful of Canadian academic libraries to make this happen and I know others are working on it,” says Lannon.
“It’s a very exciting addition to our offerings.”
Through HathiTrust, there is access to digitized copies of more than six million public-domain works.
In addition, for a limited time, there is also access to digitized copies of almost 500,000 in-copyright works from Carleton’s print collection. Provided through HathiTrust’s Emergency Temporary Access Service, it is only available while the library’s is closed and its print collection cannot be circulated.
Using Online Library Services
Since moving online, the library staff have seen a doubling in use of their online chat services and an increase in requests for electronic versions of print resources.
Reynolds says there has also been a steady climb in the number of originating countries accessing OMNI. By March 30, more than 30 countries were represented on the platform. Not only did the number of countries grow, but the number of individual sessions significantly increased. While it’s too early to draw conclusions, Reynolds says this may indicate that OMNI use has increased since the building itself closed and that many students and faculty may have returned to their home countries during the pandemic.
During this time, students have been actively sharing feedback with the library services team. The Inter-library Loans team shared that they are touched by the number of emails they have received from students sharing overwhelming appreciation for the service.
“We are very excited to continue increasing their usage of these resources while their online learning continues,” Reynolds said.
The Road Ahead
“We have excellent staff who have adapted to this really difficult environment,” Reynolds shared.
“Many library services have always operated in an online environment and so turning to an online service model has allowed us to continue to serve our community diligently.”
Of course, with the library’s physical space closed the community can’t access print material. This is a challenge the team has been working constantly to address.
Looking forward to the summer term and beyond, the library staff will continue to investigate new ways to support and anticipate the needs of the Carleton community.
As new opportunities to access library connections arise, they will be shared. Online resources and changes to services can be found on the MacOdrum Library website.
“We will continue to offer the same one-on-one opportunity for research support we always have, albeit in a different way,” says Reynolds.
Carleton University is now a member of HathiTrust, a digital repository of millions of books, serials, and other materials from research institutions and libraries from around the world.
Through HathiTrust you can now access digitized copies of over 6 million public-domain works.
In addition, for a limited time you can also access digitized copies of almost 500,000 in-copyright works from Carleton’s print collection.
Access to in-copyright materials is temporary. This access is provided through HathiTrust’s Emergency Temporary Access Service, a service that is only available while the Library’s print collection is not available for circulation or consultation due to the current COVID-19 situation.
Friday, May 22, 2020 in COVID-19, MacOdrum Library
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