Friday, December 17, 2021
As the University of Waterloo prepares for an online start to the winter term, the Library is maintaining its commitment to being a supportive and equitable partner to all library users for anytime, anywhere learning and research.
To provide consistent, safe and equitable access the Library will continue to focus on digital resources while continuing some in-person services when we re-open in the new year on January 4.
Library spaces
Davis Centre and Dana Porter libraries will be open to all library users starting January 4 to provide drop-in individual study space, drop-in access to computers and printers, book pick-up services and IST Help desk support. Special Collections & Archives and the Geospatial Centre will be accessible by appointment only.
Musagetes Architecture Library will be open starting January 4 to provide drop-in study space, reference services and book pickup. Further details and updates on additional library locations are available on our COVID-19 web page.
Masks must be worn when entering library spaces and sanitation supplies will be available to ensure cleanliness to study spaces.
Access to collections
Waterloo will continue HathiTrust ETAS access to accommodate anytime, anywhere learning and research while classes continue to be held primarily virtually. In addition to the 4.4 million public domain and Creative Commons-licensed works already available in HathiTrust, library users will continue to have emergency virtual access to the 830,000 book and journal volumes from the University of Waterloo's print collection while book stacks remain closed.
Those print items not available through HathiTrust emergency access are available via our book pickup and mailing services. Library users also now have extended access to resources through our partnership with 15 university libraries across Ontario. Use Omni, our catalogue, to search through over 23.5 million items for the resources you need.
Beyond books and journals, library users continue to have virtual access to many other resources to support learning, research and instruction.
Librarian and reference support
Our Ask us reference service will primarily be available through email and chat to support library users safely and consistently. There will be in-person support to answer questions and provide referrals for on-campus library users.
Online research guides can help you get started with your research using key resources recommended by librarians. Librarian consultations will continue to be available virtually by appointment.
We will continue to update library services as the University and public health guidelines change. For full details on current service offerings and building hours, please visit our COVID-19 updates web page.
