Annual Library Reports

• The Library added Springshare's LibGuides to better showcase and deliver research information to library users. LibGuides are created by library staff and can be tailored to the needs of the College's faculty and students. 
• The Library added Springshare's LibAnswers to streamline the library's reference services and begin providing live chat for library users. LibAnswers provides a streamlined dashboard for tickets, SMS, LiveChats, FAQs and more. 
• The Library collaborated with the web design team to redesign the library website in order to create a portal where users can access all library resources and services. 
• The Library moves handouts and resources from PDF documents and static web text to LibAnswer FAQs and LibGuides. Using these tools ensures all users have access to current library information. 
• The Library collaborated with the EGCC IT Department and OhioNET to integrate the library proxy (authentication) with the EGCC Single-Sign-on and simplify access to the majority of library resources. 
• The Library initiated Collection Development Project to reduce the age of the on-campus print collection. This project involves the removal of outdated texts from the collection and the addition of new materials to support the College's current programs. 
• The Library was awarded a LSTA and State Library of Ohio Celebrating Ohio Book Awards and Authors mini-grant to purchase award winning titles by Ohio authors or about Ohio. For more information on this collection please visit: https://egcc.libguides.com/cobaa.
• The Library launched a YouTube channel to host library tutorial videos. 
• The Library hosted a Kent State School of Library and Information Science intern during the Spring semester. 

COVID Related Challenges:

• College transitioned to remote work environment in response to COVID.  The Library's physical locations are closed.
• Coordination of remote library workforce is limited; primary coordination must be done through email or phone.  
• The Library is limited on how many staff are able to live monitor/answer the library's two primary phone lines. 
• Library staff must re-equip and learn to use new online communication tools such as Video Conferencing, VOIP apps and Screen recording software. 
• OhioLINK suspended Statewide Interlibrary Loan Courier Service from March 2020 through August 2020 in response to COVID. The suspension of Interlibrary Loan services severely limits the number of accessible print materials. 
• The library experienced a dramatic increase in delays and cancellations of book orders by vendors due to supply chain issues. 

Non-COVID Related Challenges:

• The Library's web presence was extremely limited and outdated.
• The College experienced explosive growth in student enrollment. Many students are returning to school for the first time in many years and are unfamiliar with current library resources. These users flood the library's limited reference staff with questions.