We are still exhilarated after connecting with our members and colleagues at the April 2025 ACRL Conference in Minneapolis! We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who visited our booth to say “hello,” capture a selfie with Trusty, share innovative ideas for services or features, discuss how your library utilizes HathiTrust’s digital library and services, inquire about membership, or explore the Resource Sharing service development initiative that began earlier this year. The overwhelming support and engaging conversations left us truly inspired. Here’s a glimpse of our experience:
Our team of five included Executive Director Mike Furlough, Metadata Analyst Graham Dethmers, Collection Services Librarian Natalie Fulkerson, Member Relations Specialist Melissa Stewart, and myself, Jessica Belle Rohr, Communications and Marketing Strategist. Throughout the event, we engaged with more than 100 individuals from nearly 70 of our member libraries! Conversations flowed with both founding members from Harvard University and the University of California System, as well as with newer members, including liberal arts colleges from across the Midwest, East, South, and West.
A recurring theme in our discussions (apart from the enthusiastic “We love HathiTrust!”) was the critical importance of solidarity in today’s political and cultural climate in the U.S. Many expressed that now, more than ever, it’s vital to come together as a community to reinforce our collective commitment to preserving and providing access to knowledge. This fierce belief in “Strength in Community” is the foundation upon which HathiTrust was established, and it motivates us to persist amidst challenges that threaten the very essence and significance of academic libraries.
Here are some insights we gathered from our interactions with you and your colleagues:
- Non-members affected by an increasing number of natural disasters are interested in learning how HathiTrust membership could support them.
- Many are guiding their faculty in integrating HathiTrust resources into their learning management systems and curricula.
- Several liaison librarians shared engaging classroom activities, including one comparing a novelist’s early drafts with later versions available in HathiTrust’s public domain.
- There is a strong desire to enhance the security of physical libraries to ensure patron safety, particularly for international students.
- Concerns were raised about potential IMLS funding cuts and their impact on access to electronic resources.
- More than one person expressed a desire for in-person HathiTrust meetings.
- Several inquiries were made about the functionality of the digital library search, and we confirmed that yes—you can indeed search within both personal and public collections!
- Most were excited to hear about our plans to pilot a Resource Sharing service this summer.
- A frequent sentiment was, “You saved us during the pandemic!”
In essence, attending ACRL as an exhibitor allowed us to deepen our connection with member librarians, gaining insight into their ideas, challenges, research, and queries. Our members expressed their appreciation for knowing that HathiTrust is supported by a dedicated team that works to ensure the preservation of and access to the collection we steward on behalf of academic libraries. We eagerly anticipate continuing these conversations and look forward to our next opportunity to engage with the community in person.
Enjoy the photos of Trusty! They’ll bring more excitement during future in-person adventures. If you know of an event or conference that would be a good venue for HathiTrust, please reach out to Melissa Stewart, Member Relations Specialist, or contact us at [email protected].