The University Library Online – Enhancing digital services while buildings are closed

Following the closure of the University’s library buildings last month, the team has been working hard to enhance the services and resources available online.

Accessing resources and developing our collections

The University’s extensive online collections remain fully available and can easily be accessed via the library website. The team have been working closely with publishers and colleagues across the sector to provide temporary access to a wide range of online resources in addition to the existing 900,000 e-books in the catalogue.

Jane Cooke, Associate Director Collections, Content and Discovery said: “Several publishers and suppliers have demonstrated community spirit by providing additional free access to digital resources to students and researchers at this extraordinary time. This welcome show of commitment to universities, libraries and students has been fast and efficient”

In addition, the Get It For Me service remains fully operational and provides members with high speed access to digital copies of articles and, where possible, book chapters from materials not held by the University Library.

Support for your teaching and research

As ever, specialist subject support is available from our  liaison librarians; they can help staff and students find resources, deal with referencing queries and provide online teaching and support sessions.  Staff are encouraged to get in touch to let the team know how they can help during this time.

The University’s popular KnowHow study skills programme, including Writing@Liverpool, is also now being delivered online. There are webinars, online tutorials available 24/7 through the VITAL module KnowHow: Academic Success and students can also join a new online KnowHow Study Group on Microsoft Teams to share tips and get support from library staff and peers. Information about joining the Group will be available in VITAL.

The Open Research Team are also now working remotely and continue to provide the usual level of access and support online, working with the Academy and Liverpool Doctoral College to support individuals’ development needs, and moving Researcher KnowHow online; for more information visit our webpages.

Phil Sykes, University Librarian and Director commented:

“The closure of our library buildings was a sombre moment. To my knowledge, it is the first time our buildings have closed since we opened the Tate Library, in the Victoria Building, in 1892. But COVID-19, I am afraid, forced unprecedented choices upon us.

I have, however, been extremely proud of how the team has managed to adapt and enhance our services to continue to support staff and students during this time. I would urge all colleagues to keep talking to us and telling us what you need – we’ll do our level best to provide it.”

Find out more about accessing Library services and support online