(DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Since the campus closure in March due to COVID-19, the DePaul University Library has continued to provide online support for teaching and learning by offering course reserves, interlibrary loan, research help, library instruction and other digital services. We immediately expanded access to online resources and implemented emergency e-book access through HathiTrust.
During this same period, DePaul was among 80+ CARLI libraries that migrated to a new software system, which enhanced internal operational functions including acquisitions, cataloging, fulfillment of purchases, e-resource management, and an improved discovery experience for library users. Since the migration, we have been assessing the system and providing feedback to CARLI on recommended adjustments and enhancements to ensure it is in optimal condition by autumn quarter.
When limited in-person staffing resumed on July 20, the library immediately started working to expand key services. We have reopened the book drops and processed hundreds of items returned during the physical closure. Library staff have begun to scan book chapters and journal articles. They also have started to digitize DVDs to fulfill faculty course reserve requests for the autumn quarter. We are currently in the process of adding additional services, such as purchasing physical materials not available in e-format to fulfill course reserve requests, receiving deliveries from vendors and the Illinois Library Delivery Service, as well as offering digital reference services in Special Collections and Archives utilizing physical collections.
For the remainder of summer, the John T. Richardson and Loop library will continue to be closed to patron traffic. However, our next tier of services will enhance access to physical and digital material essential to teaching and learning. We are developing and testing workflows to offer pick-up and drop-off of physical materials and expanding capacity to reinstate document delivery, which includes book chapter and article scanning for purposes beyond course reserves. We are exploring the requirements for expanding interlibrary loan services. We will share the details with our campus community as these services roll out in the coming weeks.
Please note services are subject to change based on city, state and university guidelines related to COVID-19, as well as the availability of interlibrary shipping and resource sharing. We appreciate your patience and support and look forward to continuing to provide services in support of teaching and learning.
For the latest information, please check our COVID-19 Library Services Guide, which provides detailed information about resources available during this period. If you have any questions, please Ask a Librarian for help.