Online access to millions of books from PUL's print collection resumes through HathiTrust emergency access service

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Please note: HathiTrust ETAS will be discontinued as of July 28, 2021.

In response to the needs of an increased number of students and faculty researching, teaching, and learning remotely this fall, we are pleased to announce the resumption of the HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS) effective August 31. Through this service, millions of books from our print collection will be accessible online.

As we continue to provide access to our physical collections through study and browse appointments and the book pick-up service, new protocols will be followed to avoid duplication of access. In order to remain compliant with the HathiTrust agreement, a book that is available through ETAS will be marked as "on-site access" in our catalog. The physical copy can be used during on-site browse and study appointments but will not be available to be checked out.

Princeton users can access the digitized collections in the following ways: 

  • Search the PUL catalog: Records that are accessible through HathiTrust will now read “Temporary Digital Access from HathiTrust.” 
  • Search the HathiTrust catalog: Log in at the top right of the HathiTrust website with your Princeton netID credentials. Authenticate with Duo. Search for a topic of your choice. Materials labeled with “Temporary Access” links are available to view. Further instructions are available on the HathiTrust website.

Users will have 60 minutes of access to the book on the HathiTrust website during any session. Books will be automatically renewed if you remain active on the item and no other user has requested it. While full downloads are not permitted, users may download individual pages. 

The number of copies available for each book coincides with the number of print copies PUL owns. If PUL owns three copies of an item, for example, three Princeton affiliates can access the book at any given time. If all copies are in use, users can request it but must wait until one is released. 

This service is intended for individual research use and at this time, cannot accommodate group use (such as for a course). 

Access to some items from the ReCAP shared collection may be restricted as we work to reconcile our shared holdings with those of the HathiTrust ETAS. This is necessary to ensure that we are in compliance with copyright law. Access to as many titles as possible will be restored by Friday, September 4.

HathiTrust is a non-profit collaborative of academic and research libraries that preserves, digitizes, and increases online access to collections. ETAS aims to aid HathiTrust U.S.-based member libraries that have suffered disruption to normal operations as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

If you have questions about the service or need more detailed help, please contact your subject librarian or the Ask Us service.

Written by Office of Library Communications

Media contact: Barbara Valenza, Director of Library Communications