Being ever mindful of the need to serve students during this adapted learning environment continues to be a priority for Concordia University Ann Arbor's Zimmerman Library staff.
With physical access to library materials no longer an option, online resources are only a click away as students can log in with their user name and password to Primo, which allows them to easily search all databases 24/7. Extensive questions or research consultations can be scheduled for a one-on-one Zoom meeting by e-mailing Library Services Coordinator Elizabeth Hartig at elizabeth.hartig@cuaa.edu.
For students who are used to visiting the library and might be unfamiliar with accessing materials online, a “Getting Started Guide” is available at cuaa.edu/getting-started/
Students, faculty and staff can also pose questions via “Ask A Librarian” on the website, cuaa.edu/library or by calling 734-995-7454. “I feel fortunate being able to help students access materials they need to be successful in their studies,” said Hartig, who received a Master of Science in Student Personnel Administration from CUAA a year ago. She previously earned her Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University. “It is my joy to help students improve their information literacy skills, and I’m happy to walk them through the steps via Zoom,” Hartig added.
“So many people have rallied to minimize challenges our students have experienced in this adapted learning environment,” said Dr. Jessica Luckhardt, an assistant professor of social sciences. “Many of our Christian Citizen students had been utilizing reserve copies of the textbook in the library, something no longer possible. Elizabeth offered multiple alternatives where students could access free texts or audio books, and that was a relief to both them and the professors,” added Luckhardt.
Hartig noted that library materials currently checked out have automatically been renewed, so students and parents can rest assured that no fines will be incurred this semester. She praised the efforts of colleagues Britt-Marie Martinsson, who handles inter-library loans for students, and Alexis Shirk, who continues assessing the acquisition of new books and periodicals when the library does reopen.
A plan how to best digitally archive of all the stories and photos submitted by students, faculty and staff during this unprecedented worldwide pandemic is also being discussed, according to Hartig.
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