Access during COVID-19

Updated Sep 28, 2020, 9:48am

Keeping everyone safe is our top priority

The University of Arizona Libraries have been providing in-person and remote services while working hard to prepare our on-campus reopening plan in phases. Keep checking back regularly for updates and changes. For campus updates, visit University of Arizona's COVID-19 and reentry page.

Here's some important information that we want to share with you.

Buildings & spaces

We're looking at how and when we can safely reopen some of our buildings to provide study space and limited services.

• All library buildings require face coverings, per campus policy.
• The Albert B. Weaver Science-Engineering Library is open to UA students, faculty, and staff Sunday-Friday 9am-9pm. 
• The Main Library lobby is open Sunday-Thursday, 10am-2pm for pickups and returns. The rest of the Main Library building is closed.
• The Health Sciences Library is open to UA Health Sciences affiliates. See guidelines for using the Health Sciences Library.
• Special Collections, the CATalyst Studios in the Main Library, and the Fine Arts Library will remain closed for the fall semester. If you need access to collections or assistance, Special Collections and CATalyst Studios are providing virtual assistance. Materials from the Fine Arts Library can be requested through express retrieval.
• Designated sections of the Main Library may reopen later this semester. 

Finding places to study

Weaver Library offers wifi, study rooms, and different places to study throughout the building. Here's what you need to know.

• Wear face coverings at all times, including inside study rooms.
• Eating and drinking are not allowed in the building, with the exception of drinking from water bottles.
• Scan your CatCard outside the library’s west entrance doors.
• Reserve a study room (one person per study room) if you need a quiet room or use designated study spaces throughout the library.

Family study rooms (one family per study room) can be reserved on the 4th floor for a maximum of three hours. Graduate students and faculty can apply for a 30-day assigned room during the academic year. 

Technology checkout & return  

Enrolled students can borrow and pick up technology (including laptops, video cameras, projectors, and cords) from 10am-2pm Sunday-Thursday in the Main Library lobby on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Students can also schedule an appointment with us by contacting library@arizona.edu if these hours aren't convenient.
• We'll send notices to students about due dates.
• Check for available technology.

University faculty and staff can contact Gear-to-Go to reserve equipment for instructional use such as webcams, monitors, laptops, mobile hotspots, and digital cameras.

Holds & pickups for items in our physical collection

You can request books and other materials from all University Libraries locations—including interlibrary loans.

• Request materials online in advance, and wait for an email confirmation before coming to the library for pickup.
• You can pick them up in the Main Library lobby, Sunday-Thursday, 10am-2pm. 
• Service is limited to enrolled students and University employees with valid CatCards.
• Face coverings are required in the building’s lobby, per campus policy.
• Special Collections materials will be available digitally first, if possible. Document delivery requests will resume then as well.

Emergency online access to copyrighted material through HathiTrust ended, since express retrieval of our print materials resumed. Learn more about accessing materials in HathiTrust.     

Anticipate longer turnaround times

The turnaround time between placing and picking up your holds and interlibrary loans will be longer. Given our limited staff, our quarantine protocols for returned materials, and the decreased capacity of other libraries we work with, we appreciate your patience.

Online access to course materials

We can help instructors prepare to teach fall courses by providing:

• free-to-use course content, including library-licensed ebooks 
• streaming video and online articles
• additional resources such as new tutorials 

For help finding or accessing digital materials, contact us. View tips on accessing scholarly journals when you're off campus.

Returning materials

• We're not charging late fees right now, so hold on to your materials.
• If you're no longer affiliated with the university or are leaving town, return books to the book drop outside the Main Library.
• Return technology to the Main Library lobby Sunday-Thursday, 10am-2pm.
• If you're not in Tucson, email us at library@arizona.edu to discuss options.
• We're following best practice guidelines on quarantining materials.

Learn more about our checkout and renewal process.

Getting support

• Check out resources for students. 
• Contact your librarian.
• See our guide on library support for instructors. 
• Learn about library support for researchers while we make plans to reopen.
• Get updates from the university's Office for Research, Innovation & Impact about research operations and activities.
• Take a look at other campus IT resources, including remote UAWiFi hotspots and software options.

3D printing

We’re not accepting 3D printing requests at this time.

Events and programming

Library events are canceled, postponed, or being held virtually. 

We're here to help

Contact us by chat, text, and email. We're available from 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week.