Library Services and Access to Materials FAQs

Physical items from the Libraries’ collections, Summit, or Interlibrary Loan cannot be checked out at this time. Western Libraries continues to follow guidance from Governor Inslee and the State of Washington in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. During Phase 2 of the Governor’s “Safe Start” plan, libraries must remain closed to the public, but are allowed to provide limited access to materials when certain procedural and safety requirements are met.

The Governor recently issued new Phase 2 guidance specifically for libraries, and that information is being reviewed and assessed to ensure Western Libraries can comply with the necessary requirements while prioritizing the health and safety of all library staff, and the health and safety of all who use the library. Western Libraries is also actively working with the university to acquire the necessary PPE and develop the safety procedures required in order to provide expanded access to library materials.

Western Libraries will remain closed to the public through the summer quarter and likely into the intersession preceding fall quarter. We are also extending the due date for all materials currently checked out to September 23. If you have materials you would like to return now, the outside drop box under the skybridge near the Haggard Hall entrance to the Libraries is open for use.

Library personnel look forward to expanding services when it is safe to do so, and once protocols to ensure reasonable and safe processes for managing access to physical items are in place.

At this time, curbside pickup or mailing options for physical items is not available. There are significant complexities in developing a plan for curbside pickup. Unfortunately, even though we wish things were easier, we cannot simply open the door and lend materials. There are regulations at both the State and local level that need to be followed, including the Phase 2 Curbside Library Services COVID-19 Requirements established by the state. We are using those requirements as a starting point, and we also need to work within Western’s required Safe Start department plan, which was not released until June 15. While we began exploring how we could safely provide curbside access before this, we couldn't begin any real planning until after this point.

Once we submit our plan to the university, there are an additional five areas of Western that need to review and approve the plan, (Human Resources, Environmental Health and Safety, Space Administration, Facilities Management, and the COVID-19 Planning unit). Once the plan is approved, then we still need to ensure we have the support, the supplies, and the resources to implement the plan.

Library personnel look forward to expanding services when it is safe to do so, and once protocols to ensure reasonable and safe processes for managing access to physical items are in place. We will share new information about our services as soon we possibly can, via our website, direct email communications, Western Today announcements, and via the University’s Coronavirus FAQ site.

When the Libraries is open, we will accept payments at the Circulation Desk. In the meantime, please consider paying fines and fees online. Please note that the due date for all materials currently checked out to patrons has been extended to September 23, 2020.

Western Libraries, Music Library, Summit, and ILL materials originally due between February 18 and September 22 are now due September 23.  If you have materials you would like to return, they can be returned to the book drop under the skybridge near the Haggard Hall entrance to the Libraries. In order to ensure the safety of our staff, these materials will not be checked in until staff are approved to begin limited work in the buildings.

Please contact Classroom Services at 360-650-3300 or classroomservices.forms@wwu.edu with questions about due dates for materials checked out from their Haggard 114 loan desk or the Student Technology Center. Please do not return any equipment items in the book drop. If you have questions about a specific loan, contact the Circulation Desk at library.circulation@wwu.edu.

The due date for all materials currently checked out to patrons has been extended to September 23, 2020. Please contact Classroom Services at 360-650-3300 or classroomservices.forms@wwu.edu with questions about due dates for materials checked out from their Haggard 114 loan desk or the Student Technology Center. Please do not return any equipment items in the book drop. If you have questions about a specific loan, contact the Circulation Desk at library.circulation@wwu.edu.

At this time it is still not possible to loan physical items from interlibrary loan and the Orbis Cascade Alliance. The Alliance has suspended Summit borrowing until further notice. The due date for all materials checked out to patrons will be extended to September 23, 2020. Users may still request articles or other electronic items through interlibrary loan, and all the Libraries’ electronic collections continue to be available.

Document Delivery will be suspended until further notice. Please note that the due date for all materials checked out to patrons will be extended to September 23, 2020, (except for items already due after that date).

The Libraries will continue to support course reserves as much as possible. Faculty should submit reserve requests as soon as possible. If you need access to specific resources or materials at this time, or if you have already identified resources you may need in the fall, please reach out to us. While we may not be able to offer you physical access, we will do everything possible to find alternative methods to meet your needs. We want to support you and help find solutions to your needs, even if we are not able to do that in person at this time.

For example, for faculty members wondering about materials, services, and resources you need to support courses you are planning, please reach out to your Subject Team(s). They are eager to help, and can explore and identify options to help meet your needs, whether courses are in person or online.

Due to increased demand, course reserve processing times may be longer than usual. Additionally, we are unable to scan physical materials for course reserves at this time. However, please submit your requests and electronic reserves should become available in the order in which requests are received. Library personnel look forward to expanding services when it is safe to do so, and once protocols to ensure reasonable and safe processes for managing access to physical items are in place.

Please note that copyright law applies to all course reserve materials. If you want to learn more about making course materials available online, please review the Teaching Remotely: Copyright guide available via the Libraries’ website. If you need help identifying online materials to support your syllabus for summer or fall quarter, please reach out to your subject team for additional support.

Yes! For the near future, the Libraries will purchase online copies of books and media already owned in physical form, if they meet other standard purchase criteria and are financially feasible. If you have questions about placing a purchase request, please contact Jesse Thomas, Resource Access Manager (jesse.thomas@wwu.edu) or reach out to your subject team

Heritage Resources staff remain available to assist with research inquiries over the phone and through email. Select digitized content is available through the MABEL platform and additional material may be provided remotely. Unfortunately we are not able to provide physical access to collection materials at this time. Contact Heritage.Resources@wwu.edu or call (360) 650-7534 for more information or to submit inquiries.