You’ve heard the saying “When one door closes, another door opens”? With the Library, there is some truth in the old cliché. Lately, there has been a lot of info about how the Library is changing services this semester to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But there are also alternatives that may get you closer than you might expect to using the Library the way you did in normal times:
- Paging and pickup — It is true that you can’t physically enter the stacks to browse. But you can search Virgo and request that staff retrieve whatever you need from the stacks, and perhaps you’ll even discover a useful e-book or an online article while searching in Virgo. Get to know the catalog better and let library staff do the leg work. You’ll get an email when materials are ready to pick up.
- HathiTrust Digital Library — Although there are fewer institutions able to lend materials through Interlibrary Loan during the pandemic, the HathiTrust Digital Library has millions of titles you can access and download in Virgo. HathiTrust has even made copyrighted titles available through its Emergency Temporary Access Service.
- Workshops and the Research and Writing Café — The Library continues to offer a robust calendar of workshops, classes, and activities (all conducted over Zoom). Need to carve out some dedicated writing time from your schedule? Sign up for the Library Research and Writing Café and work in a convivial, stress-free atmosphere each Monday from 10:00 a.m. – noon ET throughout the semester. Librarians are available for support via chat.
- A-Z databases and New Online Resources Guide — Need primary resources and research tools you can access from home? The Library has hundreds of databases, and the list keeps growing! Visit A-Z Databases to find databases in all subject areas. For the latest online resources visit the New Resources at the Library guide.
- Teaching and Learning — Faculty and graduate instructors can learn the best ways to teach remotely with the Library Resources for Teaching Online. Get support for using Zoom and other videoconferencing tools, and learn from Library professionals how to teach in UVACollab, use media resources, find materials online, and design assignments that once required physical materials and a physical space.