Due to the current status of the pandemic and the decision by UConn to move classes online for the first two weeks of the semester, UConn Library locations will be closed to patrons from Thursday, January 6th through Sunday, January 30th.
Hours
There are no public hours for any of our library locations. Please see Health Sciences Library and Law Library for information on their hours and services.
Materials
We will be providing access to physical materials from our collection through our request service. Requested items can be picked up at Homer Babbidge Library any time Monday - Thursday between 10am and 2pm. Other library locations are available by appointment only.
Interlibrary Services, including requests for print ILLiad materials, are still available.
Archives & Special Collections will provide virtual research support. The John P. McDonald Reading Room will remain closed.
Laptops and other gadgets are not available for loan.
Microfilm readers are only available for use by appointment. If you request microform materials, we will contact you to set up a time.
Community Borrowers may make online requests for eligible materials from any UConn Library location to be pre-paged for pick up at the Homer Babbidge Library only. No appointment is necessary Monday – Thursday, 10am-2pm. All other campus locations do not allow for community access at this time. For assistance, please contact us.
Book Returns (Library-owned and Interlibrary Loan materials)
Books can be returned through the book drops or in person in some locations. Not sure where our book drops are?
Homer Babbidge
-
- North Entrance (across from the seal on Fairfield Way-24 hours)
- South Entrance (just inside the doorway next to Bookworms-24 hours)
- iDesk on Plaza (M-Th, 10am-2pm)
Avery Point - outside book drop on parking lot side of the building at top of ramp
Hartford - outside the Arch Street entrance adjacent to the parking deck (shared book drop with the Hartford Public Library) or schedule a return on Tuesday & Thursdays 10am -2pm
Stamford - the campus building is closed so please contact Jenny Gregory to make arrangements.
Waterbury - outside of the Library to the left of the entrance. You must have a UConn ID to enter the main building. Please refer to the campus reopening document for more information. If you do not have a valid UConn ID, please contact Steve Bustamante for alternative arrangements.
Spaces / Services
Study space, group studies, research carrels, and meeting/event spaces will not be available.
Bookworms Cafe is closed, but the space will be available 24/7 with limited seating for printing, scanning, and public computers.
The Technology Support Center - Quick Support will be open Monday - Thursday, 10am-2pm by appointment only.
Questions but not sure who to contact?
You can always use the Ask A Librarian chat (they also have a great FAQ), email us at homer@uconn.edu or contact us through our webpage. We are here to answer your questions!
last updated 1.14.22 at 8:45am
Our guiding principle is to support students and faculty while protecting the health of our community. We will continue to be flexible and in constant review of what is possible following guidance from the CDC, the State of Connecticut, and UConn, as well as availability of cleaning supplies, PPE, and staff for onsite work. All Library locations funded and staffed by UConn Library will fall under this centralized planning, including all Regional Campus Libraries, this does not include the Lyman Maynard Stowe Health Sciences Library or the Thomas J. Meskill Law Library.
Library Materials - Physical
Access to collections in the stacks in Homer Babbidge is now available. All other campus libraries will open on August 30th. Until that time you can continue to request materials in advance for you to pick up at our campus locations (Request UConn Items) or request scanning and electronic delivery of chapters and articles from print resources that are not available online (Scan on Demand).
In order to comply with copyright laws, we have concluded our participation in the HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS) program, which provided electronic access to print books from our collections.
Community borrowing program is available as of August 30.
Book Returns (Library-owned and Interlibrary Loan materials)
Books can be returned through the book drops or in person at the Homer Babbidge Library information desk.
Not sure where our book drops are?
Homer Babbidge
- North Entrance (across from the seal on Fairfield Way-24 hours)
- South Entrance (just inside the doorway next to Bookworms)
- iDesk on Plaza
Avery Point - outside book drop on parking lot side of the building at top of ramp
Hartford - outside the Arch Street entrance
Stamford - the campus building is closed so please contact Jenny Gregory to make arrangements.
Waterbury - outside of the Library to the left of the entrance. You must have a UConn ID to enter the main building. Please refer to the campus reopening document for more information. If you do not have a valid UConn ID, please contact Steve Bustamante for alternative arrangements.
Not able to get to one of our campus locations? You can return your books via the postal service to
UConn Library
369 Fairfield Way, Unit 1005C
Storrs, CT 06269
Course Reserves
We are prioritizing electronic access to materials for greater equity and increased usage. Whenever feasible, the Library will purchase electronic versions of physical materials (such as books and DVDs) that instructors have assigned to courses or requested be put on Course Reserve for Fall 2021. Materials unavailable in electronic format will be placed on traditional reserves at your selected campus location.
Archives & Special Collections
Archives & Special Collections will reopen to the public for onsite research visits on Monday, August 30th. The Reading Room Schedule is:
Monday-Friday
9:ooam-12:oopm - Open by appointment only
12:00pm-1:00pm - Closed for lunch and cleaning
1:00pm-4:00pm - Open by appointment and walk-ins welcome.
You can learn more on the A&SC COVID page and staff are available to meet with researchers via email, phone, or virtually by appointment.
ASC’s digital archival collections and other resources can be accessed through the Connecticut Digital Archive. Guides to our manuscript and archival collections can be searched in our online database, ArchivesSearch, while published resources and rare books can be found by searching the Library Catalog.
Please reach out to us at any time for collection requests and all other questions: archives@uconn.edu or 860-486-2524.
Library Materials - Electronic
Ebooks and Electronic Resources
All our electronic resources continue to be available online. We have ramped up our streaming video and ebook offerings. See our guide to Library Electronic Resources for information on requesting purchases and searching these collections. You may request purchase of electronic alternatives to physical materials by filling out this form or emailing lib.acquisitions@uconn.edu.
Streaming Videos
We offer thousands of streaming videos on demand which can be found in the UConn Library’s Streaming Videos Collection. See Library Electronic Resources 2021 for information on requesting purchases and searching these collections. To request the library purchase a new stream, please fill out this form or email lib.acquisitions@uconn.edu.
Connecticut Digital Archive (CTDA)
Resources in the CTDA, including Archives & Special Collections’ digital archival collections, are available at https://ctdigitalarchive.org/uconn-update
The Homer Babbidge Library is open to the public with limited hours and services. Those hours include:
August 16 – September 5, 2021
Monday - Thursday: 7:30am – 10:00pm
Friday: 7:30am-5:00pm
Saturday - Sunday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Exceptions:
August 28 – August 29 - 10:00am – 5:00pm
September 4 – September 5 - 10:00am – 5:00pm
September 6 (Labor Day) - 5:00pm – 10:00pm
We will return to regular academic hours after Labor Day.
Our regional campus libraries and the Pharmacy Library, Music and Dramatic Art Library, and Archives & Special Collections on the Storrs campus will open with the start of the semester on August 30.
We will continue to take precautions within our facilities to keep you safe by enforcing masking mandates, providing materials for surface cleaning, and responding quickly to changes in hours and service levels when needed.
Technology Support Center - Quick Support (UITS)
The walk-up location in Babbidge Library is located on Level 1. Walk-in's welcome Monday-Friday - 8am-5pm, but appointment preferred. They can also be reached online.
Study Spaces
Study spaces are available in Homer Babbidge Library and August 30 for the remainder of our locations. See our hours pages for more detail.
Printing & Scanning
Homer Babbidge: There are printing and scanning stations in Bookworms Cafe on the Plaza and on Level 1.
Classrooms and meeting space
Reservation requests are being accepted in our facilities.
Research Carrels & Lockers
Research Carrels for current key holders is now available. The application period for open carrels will open on August 20. Per diem carrels will be available after August 30.
Maker and OneButton Studios
Not available at this time.
Q & W Centers
The Q Center and the W Center are both providing only online assistance.
Bookworms Café
Reopening August 30.
Online Help – Chat or Email
Use our Ask a Librarian service to answer your library questions.
If Ask a Librarian chat is unavailable, use the email form provided and we will respond as soon as possible.
Reusing an older course? See this guide for instructions to provide a link within HuskyCT to give students an easy way to connect with the Library and research help!
Integrating Library Materials in HuskyCT
Use this guide to help you easily integrate library resources, like catalog & database search boxes, research guides, instruction modules, and electronic resources (articles, e-books, videos, scanned chapters) into HuskyCT.
Research Assistance
Our subject specialists are available for consultation and can help you find digital materials, create course guides, and facilitate access to library resources within HuskyCT. Email your subject specialist and together we’ll figure out a plan to connect you and your students to the best tools and materials. If you do not have an identified subject specialist, please contact sara.harrington@uconn.edu
For research assistance with Archives & Special Collections materials, please contact us at archives@uconn.edu. Staff are available to meet with faculty, students, and researchers via email, phone, or virtually by appointment.
Teaching with Archives & Special Collections
Archives & Special Collections staff can help you determine how best to incorporate our collections into your course, from digitizing materials to conducting synchronous or asynchronous sessions. If you’re interested in teaching with ASC collections during the Fall semester, please submit a request using the following form: ASC Instruction Requests. If you would like to discuss specific issues or concerns about virtual instruction for Fall 2021, please contact rebecca.parmer@uconn.edu.
Laptop & Gadget Loans
Laptops and gadget loaning will begin again on August 30. Responsibility for cleaning of lent gadgets/peripherals will be at the discretion of the user.
Computers
Public computers are available in Homer Babbidge Library. All other locations will be available after August 30.
Lockers
Lockers are available for check out at the iDesk in Homer Babbidge Library.
Printing & Scanning
Homer Babbidge: There are printing and scanning stations in Bookworms Cafe on the Plaza and on Level 1.
Regional Campus Libraries: There are no printing and scanning services available through August 30, 2021.
Microfilm Readers
Microfilm readers are available.
Technology Support Center - Quick Support (UITS)
The walk-up location in Babbidge Library is located on Level 1. Walk-in's welcome Monday-Friday - 8am-5pm, but appointment preferred. They can also be reached online.
Safety precautions are being implemented to ensure the health and safety of our community. We are committed to the UConn Promise, to do our part as an institution and as individuals to protect the health and safety of those around us.
The UConn Library will follow safety precautions by following the enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols including increasing cleaning and sanitizing of high-touch surfaces, providing self-cleaning supplies and hand sanitizers, and quarantining returned materials.
We have incorporated visual changes including installing transaction barriers, creating pedestrian movement patterns throughout our spaces, and rearranging furniture.
We have reduced the number of people in all of our facilities by limiting seat counts and allowing staff to telecommute when possible and when not, provide flexible rotation schedules.
We have taken the UConn Promise pledge, practicing social distancing, frequently washing hands, wearing masks, and staying home when sick. We encourage UConn Nation to take similar precautions when visiting the library.
