Category Archives: Library News - Page 2

Breezeway Pickup Begins July 7th

Posted by on July 2, 2020 2 comments

Beginning July 7th, we will offer “breezeway pickup” of books, music scores, DVDs, and other physical items from the Ames Library collection. To request an item for curbside delivery, please:

  • Search for an item in the Ames Catalog (available on the library home page)
  • Choose a record
  • If you are not logged into the system, choose “Sign In” and enter your IWU NetID and password
  • Select “Get It” from the navigation options
  • Click the “Request” link next to the option to “Request for IWU curbside pickup”

Please note that our catalog interface has recently changed. If you would like an introduction to our new system, please watch this video.

Once your item is charged to your account and ready for pick-up, you will receive an e-mail from a library staff member asking you to set up an appointment for pick-up. At your scheduled time, a library staff member will meet you at the entrance of the library with your materials. Please note that, per campus guidelines, social distancing measures will be in place and you will be required to wear a face mask when you arrive. Pick-up policies may evolve based on demand, staff availability, and any changes in campus plans for return to the workplace during the summer. Please continue to look for updates in the library’s FAQ.
If you have not received an e-mail confirmation of the availability of your requested materials within 2 business days, please contact the Library Services Desk at circ@iwu.edu. Please note that library staff are not available during weekends during the summer.
Items returned to the library will be placed in quarantine for 3 days following their return, and will not be available for further circulation until the quarantine period has ended.
Curbside delivery will be available Mondays through Fridays, between 8 am – 2 pm. The Ames Library is currently scheduled to return to broader availability of library services on August 10, 2020. Further information on library re-opening plans will be announced here, and as part of the university’s Fall 2020 re-opening plans.

Ames Library Catalog, I-Share, and MegaSearch Changes in June

Posted by on June 2, 2020 No comments

In partnership with our colleagues across the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI), the Ames Library will update our public-facing and internal library systems to provide a better user experience and more seamless discovery of our print and electronic materials. This new integrated library system (Alma) will “go live” on June 24th, and customizations will continue as needed.

On the library home page, you will still see our MegaSearch search box and you may use this for searching either our print and electronic (full-text) holdings, Ames Library Catalog, and/or I-Share.

We are excited to share with you the following enhancements and search features and hope to roll out more soon.

Enhancements include:

  • Log into the system with your University NetID and password
  • Easier access to I-Share resources due to shared system records
  • Email notifications when you check out or return an item
  • Longer and more consistent loan periods for some of our physical items
  • Real-time updates to records making the availability of materials more timely

New search features include:

  • Improved known-item searching
  • Print and electronic holdings display on one merged record
  • Quick searching based on Title, Subject, Author, etc.
  • Virtual Browse feature for print books to see related books by subject area

Finally, please note that the library catalog does not reflect new purchases made after May 1st. After June 24th, all new purchases will be added to the catalog, and availability will also be updated to reflect a book’s status. Access to electronic resources, such as ebooks, streaming video through Kanopy, Swank, or Alexander Street Press, electronic journals, and online databases, will not be affected by this change.

We do not yet know when borrowing through I-Share will resume. All fines and due dates have been suspended for items borrowed through Ames or other I-Share libraries.

More information on the “Alma and Primo VE migration” project is available at: https://www.ila.org/publications/ila-reporter/article/130/alma-and-primo-ve-migration-changes-coming-for-carli

If you have any questions, please contact your liaison librarian or access Virtual Consultations Tuesday through Friday between 1 pm – 5 pm. We will have more information, including online tutorials, after June 24.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate this transition!

COVID-19 Library Services Page Now Available

Posted by on March 18, 2020 No comments

We have collected information related to the current provision of library services on a new COVID-19 Library Services Update page. This page will be frequently updated with information on library services, as well as other services provided through the Ames Library, e.g., technology assistance, tutoring.  Please visit this page regularly for new updates or contact your liaison librarian with any questions.

Ames Library Closed to the Public (March 17 – 29)

Posted by on March 16, 2020 No comments

Following continuing review of our response to the coronavirus epidemic, the university has made the difficult decision to close the Ames Library to all members of the community, as of its scheduled closing at 4 pm today. The Ames Library will remain closed to the public until March 29th, with a review of future plans to be conducted in line with campus decisions regarding the return to in-person instruction on the Bloomington campus. We understand the challenges this places on our students, faculty, and staff, as they prepare for the transition to online learning.

As of March 17th, all library services will be delivered digitally, and there will be no provision of library services on-site, including circulation of print materials, media materials, or technology.

Access to the library’s robust collection of digital content, including journals, databases, media, and research assistance continues, and can be easily accessed through the library’s guide to remote library resources and services. Please note that the extraordinary challenges we are currently confronting means that some services, including any circulation or interlibrary lending of physical materials, are not currently available. The library will be open limited hours (March 17-20), by appointment only, for faculty members seeking assistance in moving their courses online.

Additional details of library services available during our closure will be available on the library web site tomorrow. If you have questions before this resource is posted, please contact your liaison librarian.

Please watch the library home page and Twitter account for ongoing updates to library resources and services.

Thank you for your help, flexibility, and understanding during this extraordinary event. While we understand the challenges these changes present, we believe it is the best way to ensure the health and well-being of our library faculty, staff, and students, as well as the campus and Bloomington community. We look forward to returning to normal library operations as soon as possible.

Changes to Library Access and Services – Update

Posted by on March 16, 2020 No comments

Following the March 15th communication from university leadership, access to the Ames Library is currently “limited to faculty who need to use resources to move their instruction to an alternative mode and to a select group of staff for cleaning.” Currently, this plan is in place through March 29th, but may evolve with changing circumstances. Additional information on availability of specific library resources and services will be made available as soon as possible.

All IWU students, faculty, and staff, are strongly encouraged to observe CDC guidelines regarding social distancing and to make use of our rich collection of digital resources, services, and tools, as an alternative to visiting the library in person.

We appreciate your flexibility during this challenging time, are available to assist you by remote means, and look forward to welcoming you back to the Ames Library as soon as we can.

 

Adjusted Hours and Access for March 14 – 29

Posted by on March 13, 2020 No comments

Following the university’s announcement of an extended Spring Break and a move to online-only instruction following the break, the Ames Library has adjusted its service hours and access policies for the period affected, March 14th – 29th. During this time, we will be limiting access to the Ames Library to current IWU students, faculty, and staff, and to current students, faculty, and staff at CARLI member libraries. Access to the Ames Library will be by card-swipe or by presentation of a current ID card from a CARLI member library.

We will review these hours and access policies as more information is made available about the university’s plan for resuming on-campus instruction (or extending the period of online-only instruction) after March 29th. Please visit the library’s Hours page for the most up-to-date information about library hours, and watch this space for any additional changes to library services during this time.

New Guides to Digital Resources Supporting Teaching and Learning

Posted by on March 12, 2020 No comments

In response to the continuing expansion of the novel coronavirus outbreak in Illinois and across the United States, the Ames Library and Information Technology Services are working in close collaboration with university leadership and our campus partners to provide resources that will make it easier for our students, faculty, and staff to make use of a wide array of resources and services that we provide to help you to teach, learn, and conduct research in the online environment.

As you return to your classes, please take a moment to explore our new guide to accessing library resources, services, and assistance from a distance, as well as the ITS guide for faculty members making use of the university’s online teaching platforms. While these guides will be useful in a number of situations (e.g., leaves, breaks, study abroad), we believe they will be especially helpful as part of the coordinated response across the university to ensure the health and well-being of our campus community.

Spring Break Hours (March 6 – 15)

Posted by on March 7, 2020 No comments

Our Spring Break Hours begin Friday, March 6th, and continue until March 15th. Please be sure to check the Library Hours page for a complete list of service hours during the break. Our electronic resources, of course, remain available to you 24/7, and don’t take holidays or weekends off.

Getting the Cold-Weather Blues? Library Has Light Boxes for SAD!

Posted by on January 31, 2020 1 comment

Thanks to the Counseling Center, the library has Sunbox lamps to assist with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). One is installed on the 3rd floor West side’s living room (in the center of the wing’s outer edge) and the other is on the 4th floor on the East side’s living room.

Just 20–30 minutes with the Sunbox can boost energy and improve your mood. Detailed information regarding the use of the Sunbox is posted by each lamp.


(Images are courtesy this infographic from Yellowbrick.)

Winter Break Hours (December 13 – January 7)

Posted by on December 13, 2019 No comments

Our Winter Break Hours begin Friday, December 13th, and continue until the start of the Spring term in January. Please be sure to check the Library Hours page for a complete list of service hours during the break. Our electronic resources, of course, remain available to you 24/7, and don’t take holidays or weekends off.

Best wishes to all for a restful break, and we look forward to seeing you in the library soon!