National Library of Scotland offers Virtual Reading Room service

So this is an interesting development flagged up to me earlier today by Emma Maxwell from Scottish Indexes! The National Library of Scotland (www.nls.uk) is offering a virtual reading room experience for people who cannot attend the library in person. The following are key parts from the service description:

Virtual Reading Room

The National Library of Scotland can host online sessions to view collection items. We call this a ‘virtual reading room’, like the reading rooms at our buildings in Edinburgh.

The sessions use visualisers for live, online viewing of collection items, supported by Library staff. These sessions can be an alternative if you cannot visit the Library in person. 

This is a pilot service, and we are making changes in response to what you tell us about your experience. You will be sent a feedback survey and will be asked if you are happy to take part in an audience research interview after the session.

The service is available Monday to Friday, 09:30am to 12 noon and 2pm to 4:30pm, subject to staff availability. Requests should be made at least one week in advance to ensure the requested items are available and are suitable for an online session. Same day requests will not be possible.

It is not possible to make recordings or take screen shots during the session due to copyright restrictions.

You can find much more about this pilot service, including how to book sessions, at https://www.nls.uk/using-the-library/reading-rooms/view-material-online/.

I am sure this will be a welcome development for folk who cannot get to the library, perhaps due to the distance being too far to visit, or for disability issues, and I absolutely applaud the NLS's ambition in trying to push its services further beyond Edinburgh. It truly is the national library service for Scotland - nice one Team NLS...!

(With thanks to Emma)

Chris

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