To: Binghamton University Community
From: Curtis Kendrick, Dean of University Libraries
Subj: Expectations for Resuming Library Service
Date: May 22, 2020
Expectations for Resuming Library Service
This document provides an update to the Binghamton University community regarding preliminary plans for restoring more of our library services. Our intention is to provide a foreshadowing of the service changes that are being introduced to help align expectations with the realities of what is currently sustainable. This document is currently a draft so all aspects are subject to change, however, Items in italics below are particularly uncertain or have not been confirmed by third party service providers.
Access to Collections
● Faculty and students will be able to resume requesting material via our website from our print collection beginning June 15, 2020;
● Regularly circulating material will be paged by library staff from all library locations and brought to the self-service hold shelves inside Bartle Library (entry area);
● Hold shelf items will be arranged by last name. You will be required to present your ID to retrieve held items.
● In accordance with emerging best practices, library materials that have been returned or used will be put in quarantine for 72 hours;
Planning Your Visit
● Initially, Bartle Library will extend public hours Monday through Friday 12 – 4pm, Science and UDC branches will not yet open, and access to Special Collections will be by appointment only;
● We are working to significantly reduce density[1] in our facilities by removing approximately 60 – 75% of the seating in our libraries. Access to additional areas will be possible when this work is completed;
● Visitors will be required to wear masks to enter library facilities;
● Visitors and staff will follow social distancing guidelines;
● Staff will be wearing protective gear appropriate for their work;
● Plexi-glass barriers are being installed at service points;
Service Availability
● Services Available Currently or as of June 15, 2020:
Access to Library Catalog/Discovery Service
Self-Service Hold Shelves for Pick Up of Print/Physical Material
Virtual Library Research Instruction
Virtual Reference/Research Consultation
Interlibrary Loan (e-only initially)
Course Reserves (excluding print material but we have access to electronic copies of an expanding set of texts)
Assistance with Open Educational Resources
Digital Scholarship support
Open Repository @ Binghamton/Open Access submissions (the ORB)
● Longer Term Priority Service Objectives
Expand access to library bookstacks and reduced study areas within libraries;
Resume face-to-face library research instruction
Print course reserves
Print interlibrary loan
[1] Guidelines from the “Return to Research” document suggest the maximum occupancy in any space on campus is 25% of the posted room capacity or one person for every 200 sq. ft. while maintaining six-foot distancing, whatever is less.
