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Spring Semester Guidelines

Welcome back, students, faculty and staff!  Our services and spaces are open and operational for Spring 2022, though we still must follow campus safety guidelines. 

Find answers to the most common questions about our services, spaces, hours, and safety. 

Borrowing & Self-Pickup

Study Spaces & Building Access

 


Study Spaces & Building Access

When are the Libraries open?

You can find a full listing of hours for all Ohio University Libraries on the hours page.

Is the library open to all students?

Yes, Alden Library is now open to the public. 

What will study spaces look like in Alden? 

As we return to normal, we'll be moving a lot of furniture around.  Please forgive our noise and mess!

 

Will the library be clean and safe for study? 

The library will be cleaned regularly in accordance with the  cleaning protocols from the University's Facilities Management and Safety team.  

We will also provide self-cleaning supplies so that you can sanitize your workspace before and after you study.


Cleaning Protocols

Ohio University Facilities Management and Safety follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s disinfection protocols to ensure workspaces are safe on all campuses:

  • EPA-approved products for daily cleaning of restrooms, focusing on ensuring handwashing supplies are fully stocked, and that high-touch surfaces are clean. (Multi-user restrooms in residence halls are cleaned daily, following CDC guidelines for congregate housing).
  • Increased cleaning frequency of high-touch surfaces in common areas (door handles, light switches, handrails, etc.).
  • Disinfectant products available for students and faculty to use in classrooms and other locations throughout campus to enable individuals to disinfect spaces before and after they use them.
  • Facility Maintenance and Safety’s daily cleaning regimen is sufficient unless contaminated by an actively sick individual (vomit or bodily fluids). In the case of contamination by an actively sick individual, faculty and staff should file an incident report and call Facilities Maintenance and Safety at 740-593-2911. 
Are all floors of the building open?  Can I study wherever I like? 

All floors are now open during the posted times. Please see the "Other Floors" listing on our hours page for more information.

Can OHIO emeriti access Alden Library?

Yes, Alden Library is now open to the public. 

I am a community member or Friends of Libraries member. Can I come into Alden?

Yes, Alden Library is now open to the public. 

I need items from my locker or carrel in Alden Library. What do I do?

All floors are accessible during the posted times. You are welcome to come retrieve items from your locker or carrel at your convenience. 

For time being, we are not taking new locker requests. 


Borrowing & Self-Pickup

Can I check out books and DVDs from the library?
Use the Request Button in the ALICE Catlog to request materials

Yes. Our libraries are now open for browsing and retrieving materials. 

You can also use the "Request" button in the ALICE Catalog if you prefer contactless self-pickup.  You will be notified by email when your materials are ready, which will typically be within 5 business days for items from your home campus.  Items requested from other campuses may take 1-2 weeks to arrive at your home library.

Hours and directions vary by campus location and are listed in the FAQ below.

 

What hours can I pick up items? What are the locations and directions for self-pickup?

Visit our How to Pick Up Requests page for details.

Can I use Interlibrary Loan to request materials?

Interlibrary Loan is operating as normal.  Items can be picked up at the 4th Floor Service Desk in Alden Library.

If you have questions about Interlibrary Loan, please email ill@ohio.edu.

I received an item I do not need. What do I do with it?

Return the item in the nearest book drop or simply leave it on the pickup shelf.  

I am on the faculty/staff delivery service on the Athens campus. Will you deliver?

Faculty/Staff Delivery is now available again. 

Can OHIO emeriti borrow items through contactless pick-up?

Yes. The Libraries are pleased to be able to offer access to our collections and OhioLINK services through our contactless self-pickup service to the Emeriti community.  If you have issues requesting items through ALICE, contact the Libraries at library.borrowing@ohio.edu for assistance.

I am a community member or Friends of Libraries member. Can I check out items?

Yes, Alden Library is now open to the public. 

How do I return my books, dvds, or other library materials?

Library materials can be returned to any Ohio University campus library book drop, or any open OhioLINK library’s book drop within the state. 

If you have any questions or trouble returning your materials, please reach out to us.

I am unable to get to the library to pick-up materials. Can I get articles and book chapters electronically delivered?

Yes.  The Libraries offer electronic delivery via PDF of journal articles and book chapters through our Document Express (from OHIO owned items) and Interlibrary Loan (from other libraries) services.

  1. Place a request through Interlibrary Loan - ILLiad.
  2. Library staff will scan the item for you or request a scan from another library.
  3. You will receive an email when your PDFs are ready to view.
I’m a faculty member and I need materials for my courses or my research. Can you help?

Contact your subject librarian with questions about locating content.

I’m a student and I need materials to complete my course assignments or research. Can you help?

Contact us for assistance locating materials to fulfill assignments. 

I need to use an item labeled "NON-CIRC" in ALICE, but I cannot request it. What can I do?

There are some items in our collection that do not circulate and typically cannot be checked out.  However, these are extraordinary times, so please contact us with the details of what item you need, and we will do our best to arrange a way for you to use the item. 

I'm not near any Ohio University campus. Will you ship books or materials to me?

If you are near an OhioLINK member library, you can use the pick-up anywhere feature to have items sent to that library for you to pick up. Some OhioLINK Libraries are not providing pick-up service at this time, so be sure to contact your local OhioLINK Library first. If you are not near an open OhioLINK member library or are outside of Ohio, your subject librarian can help you establish a relationship with a local library near you. Typically, it is easier and faster to borrow from somewhere close to you, but if that is not possible, we will work with you to get the materials to you.