Welcome back students! This Fall has brought many changes to student life, but the UGL is still here to help you be successful. Libraries across campus have updated their services and facilities to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide resources to help on- and off-campus students access our collections and instructional services. In this blog post, we’ll provide details on some of our physical building access updates, as well as ways to connect with us for students who will not be able to visit in person.
Most library services and resources will be offered primarily online. Research help and many of our collections can be accessed through our website, for both on- and off-campus students (see below). The Undergraduate Library will also be offering select in-person services on a limited basis in Fall 2020, including individual study space (starting September 14th), media production studios, and loanable technology access. All services are for single individuals; we will have no spaces in the building which can be accessed by groups.
Health and safety for students and staff are prioritized in the delivery of all of our services. Please see the Library COVID-19 FAQ for information on mandated face coverings, space usage, social distancing, cleaning, and other requirements for access to any UGL spaces and services.
All in person services require prior booking; there will be no same-day or walk-up services available.
Building Hours:
The UGL begin opening for services August 24th. The library will be open Sunday thru Friday, and closed on Saturdays. Building hours are:
- Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm
- Friday 11am-5pm
- Saturday – Closed
- Sunday 3pm-9pm
Building Guidelines:
- No one will be admitted without face coverings which meet campus requirements.
- An Approved status on the Safer Illinois App is required for building entry
- There will be no same-day services offered. All services must be booked in advance. Entrance doors will be locked at all times, and there will be no access to the building without a prior appointment.
- All appointments require adherence to campus health and safety protocols for face coverings and social distancing. Please see the Library COVID-19 FAQ for information on requirements.
- Please contact us at undergrad@library.illinois.edu or call (217)333-3477 with any questions about access to UGL resources.
Services available:
Collections
- Books, Journals, and Media Items – The Library is pursuing a digital-first access strategy for most collections, particularly books and journal articles. The Media collection of DVDs and Video Games can be requested through the library catalog. Students can start with the Easy Search tool on our homepage to identify materials which are in our collections., and then place a request to get a digital copy. Please see the Library COVID-19 FAQ for more details on access to books and the media collection.
- Loanable Technology – This collection can be reserved online for pick-up in the lobby entrance of the UGL. We have extended the loan time for all items to help patrons meet their media creation needs. Details on what is available, and how to make a booking, are available on the Media Commons Website.
Audio and Video Studios
- The Media Commons is providing individuals with media creation studio access, with limited booking times available. Details on what is available, and how to make a booking, are available on the Media Commons Website.
Study Spaces
- The UGL will provide access to individual study spaces beginning September 14th. Following campus health and safety guidelines, 36 study spaces are available.
- Study spaces must be booked online. There is no walk-up access to study spaces; all study spaces must be booked at least one day in advance.
- There is no group study space available in any Library space, including the UGL.
Research and Writing Consultations
- Ask-a-Librarian online chat is available online for most research questions.
- Beginning September 20th, Research and Writing consultations conducted with the Writers Workshop will be available for either chat or Zoom appointments. See our Research and Writing Consultations page for more details and to sign up for a consultation.
We wish you all the best with your semester, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to the UGL if you have questions about services this semester. Email us at undergrad@library.illinois.edu