Get to Know... Summer Outlook

Starting May 9, 2020, Waterfield Library will be closed to all visitors until further notice. Pogue and Wrather will remain closed. University Libraries faculty and staff will continue working on-site or remotely. Many have been working remotely for some time and those who are on-site are practicing social distancing and other safe-at-work protocols. We want to ensure the health and safety of all who work in and use our spaces. As much as we can during these uncertain times, we are considering a variety of options and strategies for the future, including the creation of a Return to Full Service Committee that will review best practices and seek input on what a return to full service might look like for library employees. The committee's work will dovetail with any plans and measures set forth by university administration.

Due dates for active loans have been extended until August 31, 2020. As we approach the fall semester and know more about our new normal we may extend that date again. If you happen to receive a late or lost loan notification, please disregard it. We do not charge late fees. You may return items to our book drops located on the corner of 15th and Olive Streets or at the main entrance of Waterfield. If you have questions about returning a laptop, please call us at (270) 809-2053.

We still support interlibrary loan services for online materials, and we are working on a schedule for virtual reference services over the summer.

• Access Services: for interlibrary loan assistance

• LibAnswers: for chat reference and FAQs

• University Libraries COVID-19 libguide

New this week is a virtual textbook collection, available under the Collection Discovery link on the Libraries' search page. This project is a collaboration between library faculty and staff and the University Bookstore. For more information, see our new libguide Using Library eBooks as Course Textbooks. Please contact Assistant Dean Cris Ferguson at cferguson13@murraystate.edu if you are a faculty member interested in exploring ebook options for textbooks, or adding an ebook to the online textbook collection.

...and we are still here. Just not in the same way we are all used to. Please reach out if you have questions or need assistance. Thanks for reading. Please take care and stay healthy this summer.

The Murray State University Libraries serve as the student-centered learning commons of the university community and as a resource that bolsters the regional economy and culture. We provide traditional and evolving services, collections, instruction, and spaces to empower our diverse learners.