Silver lining of the COVID-19 crisis for digital libraries in terms of remote access

Abstract

Purpose The paper aims to describe a digital library (DL) model that attempts to replace traditional library services during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, set in the context of current copyright laws. A server instance protected by shibboleth authentication enabled students and academic staff access remotely even copyright-protected works for the period of the lockdown. Through brief observation of user behaviour in this server instance, the paper explores accessed titles, especially with focus on their copyright status. Design/methodology/approach Library usage was observed in a branch of a DL, which enabled remote access to copyright-protected documents. Data were obtained from Google Analytics and access logs enriched with metadata. Findings Academic DL users overwhelmingly preferred titles that are copyright protected, monographs in particular. Their spectrum of interests was wide, and thus, mass digitisation is essential. Originality/value The paper presents a solution to provide free remote access to library users during closure on a national level. The case study reveals the needs and interests of DL users via a brief analysis of accessed titles and gives grounds for further changes towards a more open remote access DL model, which would be possible within the current copyright restrictions.

Digital Libraries during Covid-19 Pandemic: A Bibliometric Analysis and Information Mapping

“…Furthermore, library promotion and distribution of academic information were achieved through social media (Gmiterek, 2021;Lobo, 2021;Martínez et al, 2021;Sauti, 2021;Sobreira, 2020;Tammaro, 2020). Content digitization was conducted en masse, and the access to digital content is sufficient to protect copyright (Pokorná, 2020). Libraries become most important unit in providing academic information on online distance learning models in UK and Zimbabwe (Martzoukou, 2020;Tsekea, 2021).…”

A Systematic Review of Library Services Provision in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Copyright has been an ongoing concern for many libraries. However, since there is an increasing demand for digital contents in the pandemic, several academic libraries are obtaining permissions from publishers and providing students and academic staff with access to digital contents including copyright-protected works for the period of the lockdown (e.g., Ma, 2020;Pokorna et al, 2020). Within universities, libraries are making course readings accessible by linking to digital resource equivalents that are copyrightcompliant (e.g., Walsh & Rana, 2020).…”

“…Academic libraries have witnessed an increase in request for literature searches via email and webform as librarians provide training on literature searching through WebEx conferences (e.g., Howes et al, 2021). Some libraries have developed unified certification and resource sharing infrastructures to facilitate online research for college teachers and students (Guo et al, 2020;Pokorna et al, 2020).…”

“…Findings show that libraries are increasing their effort in providing open access services by increasing partnerships with publishers and databases providers (Pokorna et al, 2020;Walsh & Rana, 2020;Weeks et al, 2020 (Guo et al, 2020;Howes et al, 2021;Weeks et al, 2020;Yu & Mani, 2020).…”

Not Virtual Enough: A Virtual Library’s Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…With physical libraries closed, staff were not able to fill many document delivery requests. Though most material is available electronically, often electronic versions cannot be loaned due to copyright and licensing concerns (Pokorná et al, 2020), whereas print versions can be. Staff then had to determine if an ebook could be purchased, or find electronic tables of contents and process requests for select chapters.…”