COVID-19, collections, and collaboration: Promoting inclusivity from the ground up

Abstract

Background Like many academic libraries, Clemson University Libraries has operated with modified services starting in the spring of 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the university Some of the modified operations have included making reservations to use the study spaces, scanning university IDs to gain entrance to the building, and picking up requested books and equipment from the lobby In addition to these changes, there have been no in-person events held to engage with students to promote our resources and services, and there have not been any physical displays of library materials Before operating with modified services, Cooper Library had one large display area and one smaller display area, both visible to students as they entered the library Typical physical displays before the pandemic tended to celebrate national or international awareness months, such as Women’s History Month, Black History Month, Pride, or Latinx Heritage Month Library employees would volunteer to create these displays throughout the year based on their interests or their work with campus partners Clemson Libraries currently does not have a position fully dedicated to outreach or to diversity initiatives, and small working groups or committees try to support EDI efforts During the early summe © 2021 Jessica Kohout-Tailor and Lili Klar