UConn Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
The worldwide pandemic involving COVID-19 (coronavirus) has produced unprecedented challenges in the UConn community and around the world. These unusual circumstances create significant uncertainty and unease in the professional and personal lives of our students, employees, alumni, and others throughout UConn Nation.
The latest official guidance and updates on UConn’s response to COVID-19 and its impact on the university community is being provided in real time at https://uconn.edu/public-notification/coronavirus/.
UConn Library support during COVID-19 closure
Our guiding principle is to support students and faculty while protecting the health of our community and our staff are providing online services while our physical locations are closed. We will continue to be flexible and in constant review of what is possible.
UConn Library plans to begin offering limited onsite services, beginning 8/31. While there is currently extensive access to materials and research support available digitally, we will enhance these offerings by adding curbside pickup of physical materials at HBL in Storrs, and at each of the Regional Library locations. The hours available for pickup and the specific mechanisms for “curbside” offerings are still to be determined. We will also support access to physical materials that are not currently available online through digitization when possible, particularly of Archives & Special Collections materials. Physical library locations will only be open to retrieve paged materials, or return items, and for pick-up of print jobs as well as very limited computer usage for those that do not have their own devices. At HBL there will be scheduled courses in rooms on the Plaza and First level, and traffic will be directed to be uni-directional to maintain social distancing. Outside of scheduled courses, the library will be unavailable for study, group work, or as an indoor gathering space.
This is the Phase 2, later phases will allow for more activity in the building and advancement to later stages will be determined following guidance from the CDC, the State of Connecticut, and the University, 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.
Hours
All of our libraries are physically closed until August 31 when we will offer limited onsite services. Staff and services are available online. See Law and Health Sciences for more information on their hours.
Materials
Fines/Fees/Registration Holds
We are waiving all fines and fees until further notice. If you have questions about current Library fines, fees, or registration holds, please email barbara.mitchell@uconn.edu and claudia.lopes@uconn.edu. Please include NetID. If you are a student, it would be helpful to also add your PeopleSoft number, although not required.
Ebooks and Electronic Resources
All our electronic resources continue to be available online. We have paused most print ordering and ramped up our streaming video and ebook offerings. We are also providing limited online access to over half of our print books (500,000 titles) via HathiTrust. See Library Electronic Resources for Fall 2020 for information on requesting and searching these collections. Please request purchase of electronic alternatives to physical materials by filling out this form or emailing lib.acquisitions@uconn.edu.
Course Reserves
We are unable to provide Course Reserves services at this time. If there are print books or DVDs you would have put on reserve, please fill out this form or contact lib.acquisitions@uconn.edu with a list of course materials and we will attempt to obtain them in an e-format. Electronic alternatives generally take 3-5 business days to obtain – please plan accordingly. More information on the purchase process can be found in our guide.
Not all materials have an e-format for purchase. If this occurs, we can help identify and acquire electronic alternative resources and help you create persistent links for them. Please contact your subject specialist for assistance. For all other questions regarding Course Reserves, please contact the appropriate reserve staff via email.
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 for Fall 2020 for information on requesting and searching these collections. To request the library purchase a new stream, please fill out this form or email lib.acquisitions@uconn.edu.
Borrowing Materials through Interlibrary Loan
Use ILLiad to request needed e-resources that are not available through UConn. This service is fast and free. Physical items (DVDs, VHS, print books, etc.) are not available to request at this time.
- PDF articles, chapters, and papers
Follow the directions for requesting articles, chapters, and papers. - E-Books
While it is still difficult and rare to obtain e-books through Interlibrary Services, a few libraries (like ours) are beginning to provide them. Follow the directions for print books but look for the e-book record if there is one. Not every print book has an e-book version.
More information can be found on the Interlibrary Services FAQ page. If you have a question regarding your requests please contact udoc@uconn.edu.
Physical Materials
- Library books that have been checked out, including Interlibrary Loan materials, should be kept until further notice. We will be extending all due dates and waiving fines and fees. For students, faculty or staff coming to the Storrs campus and would like to return books, there are bins on the loading dock of Babbidge Library where you can drop your books. If you are unsure of where that is, please use the map for reference. For students at the regional campuses, please hold onto your books until further notice and check back here for updated information as it becomes available.
- Requested items that were placed on hold are no longer available. You may place requests for these materials again when the library reopens.
- Requesting or recalling items is not available.
- Circulating items are not available at this time.
- If you have returned a book, it will be in quarantine and not be checked back in for some time. As a result, you will still see it in your account. No fines and fees will be charged.
Archives & Special Collections
Services including research, instruction, and reproduction services will be limited. Researchers with existing travel plans should reschedule their visit. A&SC’s digital archival collections and other resources can be accessed through the Connecticut Digital Archive. Questions can be sent to archives@uconn.edu
Connecticut Digital Archive (CTDA)
Business as usual. Collections are still available and the ability to add materials remains the same. https://ctdigitalarchive.org/uconn-update
Services/Classroom Support
Online Help – Chat or Email
Our Ask a Librarian service is available to answer your library questions via chat or email. You can also embed the chat service into your HuskyCT to facilitate student access to research help. See https://guides.lib.uconn.edu/huskyct/referencehelp for information on how to do that.
Integrating Library Materials in HuskyCT
We have a guide to help you easily integrate library resources into HuskyCT
Temporary eResource Access to Support Distance Learning
With the move to distance learning for all UConn classes, this list of resources is a useful tool. Changes will happen regularly and we will update the guide as new information arises.
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
Laptop Loaners
The Library has provided all available laptops for distribution as part of the university’s centralized process. We do not have any to loan out.
Library Account Access
If you are having trouble accessing your Library account remotely, can’t make an Interlibrary Loan request for a PDF, have a question about a specific item you have checked out, or a question about fines and fees (all of which are currently being waived) please email askcirc@uconn.edu
Maker Studio
The Maker Studio will be closed until further notice.
Room Reservations
All room reservations, both new and existing, in Homer Babbidge Library are on hold until fall re-opening plans have been put in place. If you have questions, please contact Kim Giard.
Lockers & Research Carrels
If you have items that you did not retrieve from a locker or research carrel before Homer Babbidge closed, please contact David.Avery@uconn.edu to schedule a pickup time. This will be by appointment only.
Health & Safety
UConn Facilities has indicated Babbidge Library is a priority for deep cleaning during the campus closure and thoroughly being cleaned.
Events
All of our events have been cancelled until further notice.
Gifts of Books
With the exception of limited opportunities in Archives & Special Collections, we are not accepting donations of books and other physical materials until further notice.
Contact
Not sure who to contact? You can always use the Ask A Librarian chat, email us at homer@uconn.edu, or contact us through our webpage. We are here to help!
Page last updated at 8.3.20, 1:30pm