Unaffiliated users and access to academic library collections
Date
2019-06
Authors
McLean, Jaclyn
Stregger, Elizabeth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Poster Presentation
Degree Level
Abstract
Aim: To investigate how unaffiliated (walk-in, community) users access electronic resource collections at academic libraries. As library collections have changed from mostly physical collections to hybrid collections with rapidly growing online collections, community members and others who historically had equitable access to the collection by virtue of visiting campus have had that access restricted. In the increasingly complex environment of online scholarly publishing, the provision of access to unaffiliated users by libraries has become complex and difficult to manage.
Methods: A thirteen-question online survey was conducted in October and November 2018. Participants were recruited through listservs including CARL, Serialist, ALCTS, and COPPUL. Those who work in academic libraries in North America, and who have knowledge of library collections and technology, were encouraged to participate.
Results: Survey data will be visualized with Tableau. Participants from 128 institutions across North America provided details about networked connections, wireless access, and electronic resource license analysis in the context of unaffiliated users of their libraries.
Discussion / Conclusion: Libraries have implemented a range of solutions, from library staff temporarily logging in to computers in public areas to open wireless access for a refined list of electronic resources. There is a high level of interest in continuing this conversation as authentication practices and library spaces evolve.
Description
Keywords
library, walk-in access
Citation
Stregger, E., & McLean, J. (2019, June). Unaffiliated users and access to academic library collections. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice 10, Glasgow, Scotland.