Global Viewpoints on Modern Issues Facing Today's Hybrid Libraries

As part of the application for the sponsorship, we asked librarians some questions. See some of their responses below:

Susan Van Alstyne, Centenary University: Libraries have offered services and resources in physical and virtual spaces for quite some time. Academic and public libraries were more prepared than most other services at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Libraries acquired more digital content and collections during the pandemic. Vendors providing free access to databases, products, and eBooks were also helpful when libraries were fully remote. Museums also provide access to virtual exhibitions. Further, implementing virtual resources and services promotes equitable access.

Hilary Robbeloth, University of Puget Sound: One silver lining of closing the physical library for the Covid-19 Pandemic was we needed remote work for our student assistants, and I could implement an accessibility project where I had my assistants do some simple manual assessments like keyboard navigation and help me link to every accessibility statement from our website.

Debbie Hathaway, University of Dallas: Prior to Covid-19, our professors requested more print than e-resources. Our collection policy up to that point was geared more towards physical books that could be checked out or used inside the library. What we did not have access to in our own collection was, for the most part, easily obtained through ILL. With the onset of quarantine, our library concentrated on procuring access to eBooks and other e-resources. In a way, Covid-19 helped change what we collect, and how we access material.

Aleck Williams, Midlands Technical College: Prior to the pandemic, open access initiatives and the shift to online resources were gradually being implemented in libraries. As librarians, we are now intentionally focused on providing greater access to scholarly online content, including databases, scholarly communication, and OER.

Marcie Hoeckern, Florida Polytechnic University: Florida Poly is unique in being the first entirely digital library in the nation. Having an entirely digital collection has certainly facilitated our institution’s online and distance learning initiatives during the pandemic and it continues to serve us through the ups and downs of school closures due to COVID-19 outbreaks, inclement weather, and whatever other curve ball life chooses to throw us.

Richard Jutkiewicz, Manor College Library: From my viewpoint as the director of a small, academic library, I still subscribe to the theory that anything good is worth communicating about! Publishers, you want to know what libraries want. Publishers, please talk to us, and actively listen to what we are telling you. We're trying to find the best resources for our institutions, based on our current budget. Don't know what our budget is, please ask. Tell me creative ways that other institutions have acquired your materials through grants, financing plans, trials, etc. I realize my small budget isn't going to make your year, but I'm on several library consortiums and talk to as many librarians as I can. I may tell colleagues that I love a publisher's collection, even if I can't afford it at the moment. Librarians, answer your phones. Talk to the publishers, and be honest about your budget, collection, and goals. If the publishers aren't aware of what helps you and your institution, how do you expect them to know? Let's communicate, to collaborate - if it's not win-win, it's lose-lose. Life's too short, and nobody likes to lose.

Antonia Bernadette Donkor, University of Ghana: While researchers were looking for research contents, students were also seeking these to complete their thesis and academic programmes. The pandemic revealed that the need for the adoption of technology and electronic resources in academic libraries cannot be overemphasised. Off-Campus Access to electronic research content was provided to the members of the University Community. Also, several Publishers provided free access to their electronic research content which was very useful for researchers, students and faculty at the university.

Carissa Thatcher, University of Cincinnati Libraries: Libraries are looking for agreements that will ultimately support authors from their institutions and communities not just in access to information, but the sharing of information. A product is much more attractive to libraries when it is known that their subscription dollars are aiding in the promotion of new and innovative ideas from voices that are less frequently heard, subsequently, publishers benefit with relevant and timely perspectives which elevates the quality of information that they provide.

Jennifer Culley, UNLV: Acquisitions units, such as the one I work in, stopped ordering of all physical items and only purchased electronic research items. Ebooks, ejournals, databases and streaming media became the only formats we were ordering. Many publishers stepped up with free access to resources, especially at the beginning of the pandemic as libraries were scrambling to figure out ways to get access for their patrons.