Hello everyone,
At Oberlin we are preparing to offer classes remotely in case the Coronavirus (COVID-19) makes it necessary. Our libraries plan to close to the public although library permanent staff would continue to come in and work.
My library supports studio art and art history. Since ebooks are a relatively small percentage of art books I'm wondering what mechanisms other art libraries are setting up, or even just considering, to get needed materials to students enrolled in classes but not living on campus.
To get the ball rolling, here are a few ideas I've come up with.
FYI, none of these are actual plans, we are still in the very preliminary stages.
1. Conduct reference appointments via Zoom
TBD: Instructing students how to use Zoom
2. Create a service to scan and email requests for specific book chapters and articles.
TBD: How this would work with current ILL regulations?
3. Check out books to a student and then mail it to them.
TBD: Postage costs; Tracking; Handling multiple requests for the same material
4. Facilitate title and subject access to museum publications that are available for free downloading (for example: the Met in NYC).
TBD: If it's reasonable to attempt this by updating / creating catalog records. If not, then how else could this be done?
5. Offer library instruction via Zoom?
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Barbara Prior, HeadClarence Ward Art Library
Venturi Art Building, 83 North Main Street
Oberlin College, Oberlin Ohio 44074
