Spotlight Remote is a feature series highlighting the new ways in which Princeton University Library staff are working with our patrons and community in a remote environment. 

It’s a new era in Princeton University Library (PUL)’s Special Collections! Led by the inaugural John T. Maltsberger III ’55 Associate University Librarian for Special Collections, William Noel, Special Collections is launching innovative services, particularly needed to support remote research, teaching, and learning.

One such service is “Virtual Visits,” office hours via Zoom with library specialists for questions related to teaching with Special Collections in the fall, accessing primary sources, senior thesis or junior paper research, or to just stay in touch.

“We’re here, and we continue to be available to help faculty, students, and researchers work with our collections virtually,” said Noel, who joined PUL on March 1. “Though we’re now off campus, scholarly work doesn’t stop.”

Library specialists can discuss a wide range of topics, such as digitization or reference requests, image delivery to teaching platforms, and live or recorded instruction with materials.

“Library staff are clearly eager to innovate and committed to continuing to serve and engage with faculty and our students even in these challenging times,” said Jonathan Gribetz, associate professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies and in the Program in Judaic Studies, who recently organized a virtual session with Eric White, curator of rare books, for his spring semester class. 

Virtual Visits are offered on Tuesdays, 3 to 4 p.m. (May 12, May 19, May 26, June 2) and Thursdays, 2 to 3 p.m. (May 14, May 28, June 4) or 1 to 2 p.m. (May 21). A Princeton University NetID is required to login to the Zoom meeting, which is the same link for each session. 

Unable to attend? Submit questions through the Special Collections Ask A Question form for a response within 24 hours.

Written by Office of Library Communications

Media contact: Barbara Valenza, Director of Library Communications