Access during COVID-19

Updated Aug 17, 2020, 12:30am

Keeping everyone safe is our top priority

For several months, the University of Arizona Libraries have been providing 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.

Summary

July 31

Temporary, emergency digital access to print materials through HathiTrust ends

August 3

Access to our print materials resumes and limited services start, including:

• requests for books, other materials, and interlibrary loans
• pickups and returns in the Main Library lobby, Sunday-Thursday, 10am-2pm
• technology checkouts for enrolled students during lobby hours

August 17

Albert B. Weaver Science-Engineering Library reopens 9am-9pm seven days a week for study space

Tentatively mid-fall 2020

Designated sections of Main Library reopen for study space

Fall 2020

Special Collections, CATalyst Studios in the Main Library, and Fine Arts Library remain closed

Buildings & spaces

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

• The Albert B. Weaver Science-Engineering Library reopened for UA students, faculty, and staff on August 17.
• Designated sections of the Main Library will potentially reopen later in the semester. 
• The Health Sciences Library is open to UA Health Sciences affiliates. See guidelines for using the Health Sciences Library.
• All library buildings will require face coverings, per campus policy.
• 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.

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  

Starting Monday, August 3, 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

Starting Monday, August 3, 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. The rest of the Main Library building is closed.
• 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 made available digitally first, if possible, when the fall semester begins, August 24. Document delivery requests will resume then as well.

Emergency online access to copyrighted material through HathiTrust ended July 31, since express retrieval of our print materials resumed August 3. 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.