New nonvisitor service collaborations between Tsurumi University Library and library and information science classes to exhibit books linked to the virtual space: Supporting continuous library services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Tsurumi University Library, which consistently ranks among the top 10 university libraries in Japan, has a large collection of rare Japanese classics (e.g., different editions of The Tale of Genji, which was first published in the 11th century). It holds an annual exhibition of library materials in cooperation with library and information science classes. However, because of the COVID-19 outbreak, many classes became live online, and students have been absent from the campus. Some libraries were closed, while those that reopened set limits on the number of visitors. Because exhibitions were real-space services for library visitors, most students were unable to receive such services. Libraries now have to provide continuous virtual-space services for students unable to come to campus. During the four weeks from June 10 to July 8, 2021, in the library, student teams from Tsurumi University exhibited their materials under the following main themes. The "Tales of the World" team linked real-space book exhibits with metadata in the virtual space and displayed "booklog" (https://booklog.jp/), an online Japanese bookshelf. News about the library exhibit was also posted on the university library's official blog (http://blog.tsurumi-u.ac.jp/library/2021/06/post-ef06.html) and Twitter page (https://twitter.com/tsurumiuniv_lib), which provided information to many students unable to come to campus.