Library Services During COVID-19

The library will support students, faculty, and staff both remotely and on campus during the fall 2020 semester. Here are some important highlights.

• The library building reopens August 13th and, with some exceptions, will follow similar hours of operation as previous years. 
  • See building / hours for more information.
• The library collections will be open for browsing all hours the library is open. In addition, the library has launched a new service called Paging & Pickup where patrons can place holds on materials through the catalog and retrieve them at the Library Services Desk.
  • See library collections for more information.
• Le Moyne Librarians are prepared to provide library instruction in a variety of formats including in person, virtual (synchronous or asynchronous), and other modes as requested.
  • See Library instruction for more information.
• Reference services will be provided both in person and remotely through a variety of formats. Le Moyne librarians are on call Sunday–Friday and help is available through our chat service 24/7.
  • See reference services for more information.
• The library has a number of resources to assist faculty, especially those who are teaching online in the fall.
  • See resources for faculty for more information.
• Due to the current situation, we are unable to open our building to those who are not current students, faculty, or staff of Le Moyne College. This means that, for the time being, people from the Syracuse community and even those with special patron cards are unable to enter the library.
  • See special patrons (community borrowers) for more information.

August 10, 2020

Dear students and faculty,

As we prepare to open the library to the campus community on August 13, I am grateful and inspired by the monumental efforts of the library staff in confronting the challenges of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic--during the shutdown and in anticipation of re-opening. 

You will see an improved web site focused on collections and services. Changes you will see inside the library are the smaller number of chairs at tables and more distance between soft seating arm chairs. Study rooms while still available may only be used using the online booking tool (link). Stop at the library services desk to have your booked room unlocked and cleaned. 

A paging & pickup service begins very soon and continues throughout the Fall semester if you choose to use it. This service operates from within the library catalog where you will see "request" below the title of print books and films in DVD format. An email exchange determines when you can pick up these items at the library services desk.

The "bookstacks" and other collections will be open on August 13 for you to browse and check out, but if you are at risk, there are two things you can do. You can use this new paging & pick-up service as mentioned above, or you can request early access to the library at 7:40am on Mondays through Fridays.

The librarians are available for library instruction in any format the faculty wishes. They are available for appointments to meet in person or via Zoom. As they have for 15 years, librarians are staffing the online Ask Us virtual reference service offering chat, email, and text options. This is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in partnership with the other Jesuit universities' reference librarians. 

Le Moyne's librarians remain committed to academic excellence and cura personalis. Our pledge is to work diligently on your behalf to provide you a safe place, to guide you through your assignments, and to ensure your safety.

Thank you,

Inga H. Barnello