The Library Faculty and Staff have been developing new policies and procedures that will allow us to continue to provide the services you expect for the Fall Semester, while keeping the health and well-being of the entire University Community our top priority. Below we outline our current Fall plans, but please understand that we may need to alter or revise these plans throughout the semester as circumstances change. We appreciate your patience as we work through these changes.
The most current study of library materials (https://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/COVID-19-research-project.html) indicates that the virus can live several days on physical items if contact is made. Due to this data, the library will be quarantining all materials that are touched, which may result in a delay in availability.
Also because of this data, the Library will not be providing Print Reserves this semester. We will convert articles and chapters to Electronic Reserves where possible. Joel Krisanda will be in contact directly for those who already have items on reserve.
If you need assistance finding alternative/comparable resources available electronically within the Library’s eBook and online database collections, please reach out to your subject liaison librarian. https://www.scranton.edu/academics/wml/infolit/liaisons.shtml. We will also make an attempt to purchase eBooks when available.
The Library is currently offering curbside pick-up and we will continue to offer this through the fall semester. Please place a hold in our online catalog, wait until you receive an email confirmation that it is available for pickup, and then come to the Library’s lobby to find your item(s). This includes print and media items.
InterLibrary Loan is currently operating, and fulfilling article requests as much as possible. PALCI and book borrowing through ILL will resume on August 17th, however many libraries will not be participating in PALCI or ILL. You may have trouble finding the number of titles you are used to finding through these services and fulfilling requests may take much longer due to the limited libraries participating. Please know that we will do our best to fulfill requests in a timely manner, but it will not be the level of availability and speed to which you have been accustomed.
Remote Access: If you are teaching remotely and are not coming to campus, or working from your office, you may submit ILL requests for print articles in our collection. We will scan and deliver these articles remotely, just like ILLiad requests sent and fulfilled from other schools. When submitting requests for articles you know that we own, please make a note on the request form.
We are continuing to provide Library acquisitions and processing services, such as the purchase of print books, eBooks, media and streaming media. There may be delays in availability that are beyond our control due to delivery services and customs protocols under COVID-19. We continue to provide service as quickly as possible under the current circumstances. If you need an eBook that we do not have, please contact Narda Tafuri via email: narda.tafuri@scranton.edu.
For Research Services, please use the “Ask a Librarian” chat box on our web page to talk to a librarian 24 hours a day. You can also call 570-941-4000 to talk to one of the librarians during regular library hours. If no one answers, please leave a voicemail and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Please use the other options first, but you can also email askalibrarian@scranton.edu.
Librarians will still offer consultations through various communication platforms (e.g., Zoom), but please reach out through virtual chat, phone, or email first to schedule a consultation time and determine which platform will work best for your individual needs.
Inquiries about information literacy instructional support can be made by completing the online request form found on the Requesting Information Literacy Instruction page or by emailing Donna Witek, Information Literacy Coordinator, at donna.witek@scranton.edu.
Archives/Special Collections will be open by appointment only. Please contact Michael Knies at 570-941-6341 or Michael.knies@scranton.edu
Media Resources and the Education Lab will be open by appointment only. For questions about or problems with Media and Streaming Resources please contact Sharon Finnerty at 570-941-6330 or Sharon.finnerty@scranton.edu.
For problems accessing any electronic resources please e-mail library-systems@scranton.edu.
Should you choose to visit the building, you will need your Royal ID to swipe in. You will also find reduced seating capacity and furniture placed to reflect 6’ distancing. All in-person services will be provided from behind plexi-glass at the Circulation Desk. Java City will be closed, and food will not be allowed in the building. Also, to promote added cleaning routines there will be no 24 hour access – the building will be open only when staffed.
While things may look significantly different, we will still be providing all of the core services you expect. We look forward to working with you on your latest teaching and research needs, and are striving to provide comprehensive services in the safest ways possible.
For the most up-to-date information about the library and our services please see:
https://guides.library.scranton.edu/remoteservices