Copley Library Annual Report 2021-2022

During the pandemic, we were able to send scans of requested rare book pages.

Compromises What we found harder to provide was access to our physical collections. Sometimes we were able to scan material from our archival collections for researchers. Occasionally, we were able to allow USD researchers to access archival records in person. Similarly, access to our rare books and manuscripts delivered mixed results since our reading rooms were closed and for much of the time under construction. We did, however, find ways to work around these limitations. Often, we were able to send scans of requested pages, or we were able to point researchers to digitized versions in the collections of HathiTrust , the Internet Archive , or Project Gutenberg . Sometimes we were able to allow USD faculty and students to borrow or use in the library books from our “medium rare collection.” These are books transferred from the general stacks that were primarily published during the late nineteenth century to the present that remain in good shape. • To appreciate the value of our previous digitization work. It gave us the means to continue providing reference and research consultations during the pandemic. • To recognize the limits of remote work and its reliance on digitization to provide sole access to our collections. • To understand that processing and digitizing physical collections requires us to work in person on campus. • To identify when digital projects and reference service can be done efficiently from anywhere with a secure Internet connection and the will to succeed. Lessons Learned The pandemic taught us:

Top: Rare books Middle: Archives Bottom: Archive box

2021-22 ANNUAL REPORT 9