To coincide with the University’s decision to close all residence halls and the Governor’s directive to maintain social distancing, University Libraries will CLOSE all facilities to public access at 5:00pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. This closure includes Bierce Library, Science & Technology Library, University Archives, and Computer Based Assessment & Evaluation. In addition, the majority of staff at each location will be working remotely.
University Libraries will extend material due dates and eliminate overdue fines when operations continue.
Due to the COVID-19 situation, University Libraries, including Bierce, Auburn Science Library, University Archives, and those facilities located within those spaces are currently closed. Our staff is working hard to ensure that the university community still has access to all their necessary resources. At this time, we encourage you to utilize our online chat features or contact us via our Ask Us page.
University Library Online Services
Students, Faculty, Staff, and Patrons of University Libraries:
In response to the Governor’s recommendations, University Libraries operations will be modified to exercise an abundance of caution regarding transmission of the virus through reducing opportunities for groups of people to be in close proximity for extended periods of time. These measures are put in place to limit exposure while still providing continuity in virtual library services.
The University Libraries recommends:
Use good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases
Stay home if you are sick and advise others to do the same.
Maintain Social Distancing – maintain a 3-6-foot distance from others.
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if soap and warm water are not available.
Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
If you have any questions on operations or cancellations, please contact the University Libraries Contact Us!
Frequently Asked Questions
Much of the University of Akron Libraries’ collections are accessible online in the form of databases, ebooks and ejournals. You may access the collections and resources from the UL homepage . If you are using the resources remotely (e.g. from home or anywhere not on campus), you will be prompted for your UANet ID and password.
University Libraries is committed to connecting faculty to the resources they need to maintain a high level of course quality in the remote setting. UL will also investigate acquiring any new resources that you need to effectively teach our students. Please reach out to Sean Kennedy (Collections and Content Strategies Librarian) at skennedy@uakron.edu with any resource questions or requests.
Many of the resources previously available only on print course reserves have been digitized and will be posted to your course Brightspace page. If you need access to a chapter in a course reserve book/textbook, please contact Sarah Zornes at szornes@uakron.edu.
Place requests for articles through Tipasa, the University Libraries Interlibrary Loan Service. We will digitize articles/chapters that we own and deliver them swiftly. In addition, we will obtain resources not owned by University Libraries and deliver them electronically. For questions about requesting research articles, please contact Caitlin Noussias at cjg74@uakron.edu.
Unfortunately, print resources from OhioLINK and Interlibrary Loan are temporarily suspended.
All items currently checked out and not overdue will not accrue library fines. Due dates will be extended so students and faculty can retain their materials while studying from home. We will do our best to update patron records proactively. If you are charged overdue fines or receive an automated email about billed items, we will address and correct the issue. Please contact Don Appleby at dra1@uakron.edu if you have questions or concerns about library material due dates or fines.
Ask Us is available to connect you to librarians and research experts who will answer your reference questions and direct you to online library resources to complete your assignments and research.
Subject Librarians are available by email and through Ask Us and our Subject Guides. Research needs that require expert assistance from a subject librarian will be referred through Ask Us and addressed by the specific expert in the field.
UA Health Services - This is the University of Akron Heath services page concerning the COVID-19 (Coronavirus). This page is routinely updated by the University of Akron with information for students, faculty, staff, and those visiting campus. Please check this site regularly for updates.
Ohio Department of Health - This is the Ohio Department of Health information page concerning the COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
