The University of Alabama Libraries wants UA faculty to know that the Libraries staff and resources are available to support instruction that incorporates in-person teaching techniques with digital tools and resources.
“From the beginning of the campus closure in March, University Libraries has been focused on ensuring seamless access to electronic resources to support online classes,” said Michael Arthur, head of resource acquisition and discovery for University Libraries.
For fall 2020, faculty are encouraged to make use of library-funded resources including streaming video and e-books. These resources, licensed for use in online courses, are available 24/7 for use by students and faculty.
Library-funded resources are a great way to enhance the classroom experience and reduce the cost incurred by students. — Michael Arthur
Millie Jackson, senior associate dean for University Libraries, said providing alternative access to print materials and to print reserves for fall classes is a UA Libraries priority.
“UA Libraries provides access to over a million electronic books, many of which are or can be transitioned to a multitude of users,” Jackson said. “We also have nearly 600 databases which contain journal articles, e-books, statistics, newspapers and more that can be accessed for use in classes.
“These resources are scholarly and many faculty are already using them as alternatives to traditional textbooks. We will also order electronic books to add to the existing collections.”
The UA Libraries ebook collection can be viewed online.
Jackson said librarians can assist faculty with selecting Open Educational Resources for courses that are freely available and accessible online.
Another set of resources she said faculty should be aware of is the streaming video service that’s also available to students and staff. Streaming videos are accessible through databases that are available 24/7. All disciplines are represented in the streaming video collection, which is accessible on mobile devices as well as computers.
Jackson said UA Libraries can scan articles and chapters of books to include in secure Blackboard courses.
“By working with librarians to find alternatives to the traditional textbooks, we can use existing library resources to help our students save money spent on textbooks and provide easier access.”
Faculty can use the Ask a Librarian reference service to request assistance in preparing for fall classes.