CSUSB Libraries has joined HathiTrust, a digital preservation and access organization made up of more than 200 academic and research libraries worldwide, giving the library access to material that includes U.S. and international public domain works, as well as copyrighted and licensed content.

HathiTrust maintains a repository of more than 19 million digitized items, including books, journals, government documents and other scholarly materials. The organization supports member libraries by preserving print collections and providing online access for research and learning.

CSUSB Libraries’ membership gives library users the ability to browse, search and view materials online from a range of disciplines, including African history, economics, French literature, solar energy and public health. The collection includes works published in more than 400 languages.

Membership also provides collaborative preservation services, print retention strategies and emergency access provisions designed to ensure continued availability of scholarly materials. Faculty and students can create custom collections, embed texts into learning management systems and use citation tools for coursework and research.

HathiTrust’s mission – supporting its member libraries and advancing the public good – is not only to preserve the cultural, scientific and intellectual legacy housed in print collections, but also to make it discoverable, accessible and effective for modern research and learning. As the largest digital library managed for and by academic libraries, HathiTrust empowers researchers and students with expansive resources, robust discovery tools, and opportunities for innovation. Membership strengthens CSUSB Libraries’ operations by providing services that enhance and sustain academic resources for the entire campus community.

“HathiTrust is an awe-inspiring collaboration of libraries for the preservation and delivery of the intellectual record,” said Rebecca Lubas, dean of CSUSB Libraries. “HathiTrust is instrumental in allowing many libraries to provide materials during times when physical obstacles prevent library operations, such as pandemics and earthquakes. HathiTrust is a cornerstone in shared collections, creating a guarantee that content is available to membership over time. It’s an investment in the now and in the future.”

HathiTrust also provides accommodations for users with print disabilities, including compatibility with adaptive technologies.

“The HathiTrust Digital Library provides access to millions of digitized books and publications, and students who are blind or have print disabilities can request copies of any title in the collection to use with adaptive technologies, such as screen readers and Braille devices,” said Meigan Karraker, director of Services to Students with Disabilities at CSUSB. “This level of accessibility helps make education accessible for our students who cannot access printed text.”

“Access is at the heart of our outreach mission,” said Isabel Guzman-Tepper, outreach and engagement librarian at CSUSB. “HathiTrust expands equitable access to knowledge, ensuring that all members of our campus community, regardless of circumstance, can engage fully with the scholarly record.”

CSUSB students, faculty and staff can access HathiTrust member features by visiting www.hathitrust.org, selecting “California State University, San Bernardino” under the log-in option and signing in with their university credentials.

For more information, contact Rebecca Lubas at rebecca.lubas@csusb.edu or visit www.hathitrust.org.