Whitworth Library COVID-19 Updates and Resources

While the Library building is closed there are still many ways the Library can provide you with expert help and services.  Always check the Library's website for the latest info about our hours and services.

Get Online Help 
Last minute citation question? Want help with research? Need to reach us from off campus? Ask us! You can email us, or email a librarian from the convenience of your home! 

Librarian Consultations
Subject librarians with expertise in specific areas are available for remote consultations via email or online.

Online Materials and Tools
The Whitworth Library has loads of digital materials available for you.
Use the filters on the left hand side of the screen to focus on ebooks, streaming audio or video, and other online resources.

Articles & Research Databases
We have hundreds of databases that provide access to digital articles, video, and more!

Interlibrary Loan
We can deliver digitized journal articles from other libraries directly to you at no charge. This service may be impacted by other library closures and thus may or may not be available at any given time.

Renew Books Online
You can also renew your books online - just log into Your Library Account. You will see your active loans displayed on the Loans section. Look for the title you need to renew and click renew. You can also renew all your active loans by selecting Renew All.

Returning Materials
Books and media, including Summit and Interlibrary Loan materials, may be returned to the library book return on the exterior of the library at the front entrance. (See below for further information).

Contact Us
Have other remote needs? New ideas for how the Library can help you off-campus? Send your comments to us.

A Link on Copyright Flexibility

The library building closed to patrons on April 2, 2020 and reopened via ID-card swipe to current Whitworth students, staff, and faculty on Wednesday, September 9, 2020. Summit lending has resumed. 

Reduced pandemic hours during fall semester are:

• Monday-Thursday 7:30am to 10pm
• Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm
• Saturday 9am to 4pm
• Sunday 1pm to 10pm

Details of note:

• Masks are still required in the building for all visitors regardless of vaccination status.
• The checkout desk will be open; as will computer labs.
• Students are encouraged to utilize digital resources over print resources.
• Librarians will be available in a variety of capacities, but remote contact is encouraged.
• Most study tables will be limited to one person at a time.

Let us help you online and remotely!

Computer Lab & Library Building information

Labs & Tech Support:

1. Helpdesk services are still available to facilitate your tech-support needs at
   509-777-3911 or helpdesk@whitworth.edu or by appointment. 
2. Computer lab access (with printing capability) will remain available in Hawthorne Hall, room 106, hours  Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm, by id card swipe access.

Library Support:

3. Digital article delivery remains active. circdesk@whitworth.edu or ILL@whitworth.edu
4. Reference librarians are available and eager to assist in research and information needs. reference@whitworth.edu

For these and more services, please see www.whitworth.edu/library

We are here to help you! Just reach out!

Aug 6, 2020

WU Library Reopening Plans: A Message from the Director

To our WU Community,

Libraries are essential to research, teaching, and learning at WU. We acknowledge how challenging the ambiguity of this time is, and the desire to confirm plans and expectations for fall semester and beyond. The Library's Phased Reopening Chart provides clarity around what to expect, based on current plans. First and foremost is preserving the health and safety of employees, students, faculty, and our users. The goal of this message is to provide insight into our approach as we move through phases. While we do not know how the current public health situation will evolve in our community, a transition from one phase to the next is dependent on significant changes to public health status and the development of new prevention plans at each stage to ensure the health and safety of all.

Providing safe spaces to study are top-of-mind. We understand that students need safe spaces to study, and that libraries are a home-away-from-home for many—whether you live on campus or not. To fill this critical need, we are evaluating operational models that could potentially allow designated spaces to safely open for individual study in a limited capacity. Students’ commitment and willingness to protect each other will be essential to the Library’s ability to open and maintain study areas.  

We will share plans publicly on our Libraries COVID Update page, social media and through centralized WU communication channels. We are designed for online services and support.  Our staff continue to provide a full range of online support from consultations for writing and research, to interactive learning events, and other services. Offering high-quality online services is part of what we do. Our Libraries are a center of knowledge and scholarship—no matter what Phase our community is in.

We share your concerns and understand your desire to open the Library’s physical spaces.  Updates to our operations are always posted and shared on our COVID-19 Update page and social media channels as soon as changes are made.  We appreciate your input during this unprecedented time. Thank you for continuing to provide us with your feedback and for the opportunity to collaborate with you as we continue to refine our operational approach.

Sincerely,

Amanda Clark
Library Director

(Thanks to Betsy Wilson for the foundation text.)