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Almost 18 months after Harvard Libraries closed their doors, students have been eagerly browsing the books and frequenting their common study spaces since the in-person libraries reopened this fall.
In March 2020, Harvard Libraries shut down in-person services, including borrowing and scanning and delivery, while retaining digital services and databases. In July 2020, they reopened with limited staff for certain services, such as picking up books.
Noah D. Dasanaike ’22 said he struggled with the digital format of library texts.
“I’ve never been one to read digitally, so whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, I take notes on pen and paper,” Dasanaike said.
The Widener Library reopened to affiliates on August 23, while libraries, including the Lamont Library and Cabot Science Library, reopened on August 30. The Harvard University Archives opened on September 7.
“The first thing I did on my return to campus was to go to the library after moving in, to consult a long list of books I had for my thesis,” he said. added.
Anna Burgess, spokesperson for Harvard Libraries, wrote in an email that she believes it is important for individuals to “come together” with physical books.
“One researcher described how nice it was to ‘find themselves’ with physical texts she had access to using HathiTrust, and I think that sums up what we saw: access they feel most comfortable with. feel comfortable, ”she wrote.
Now students share their appreciation of the libraries around campus not only for their usefulness for research, but also for their productive atmosphere.
“It’s nice to be around other people and familiar faces,” said Arjun A. Akwei ’24, a regular at Adams House and Widener Libraries. “It definitely beats studying alone in your room which was the norm last semester when libraries weren’t open. “
“I think just getting out of my dorm is a very good motivation to work,” said Tina Chen ’24. “So I’m really happy that the libraries are open, just to have this specific dedicated space to study and work. “
“You have all decided to commit to getting things done,” Akwei said of people studying in libraries. “I think it’s both uplifting and heartwarming, so it’s a major improvement over last year.”
Burgess wrote that the excitement was palpable since the library doors reopened.
“The first student to go through the Widener turnstiles on opening day raised his arms in a Rocky victory salute,” she wrote.
—Editor Felicia He can be contacted at [email protected].
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