Library (COVID-19) Services Update

• Building access
• Cultural programs
• Laurier Archives and Special Collections
• Library Makerspace
• Robert Langen Art Gallery and exhibitions
• Study spaces

Last updated

Tab was last updated: September 2nd, 2021

Building access

Effective Monday September 13th, building hours are:

Waterloo campus library hours

• Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 8 pm
• Saturday: closed (note: virtual chat service available from 11 am to 5 pm)
• Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm

Kitchener (Faculty of Social Work) Library hours

• Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 am to 6 pm

Brantford campus hours

• Brantford Public Library will continue to provide access to print collections and will offer borrowing services for Laurier Brantford users based on BPL protocols
• See the BPL website for Main Branch service hours

Cultural Programs

The Library published a compilation video called Love in the Time of COVID. Along with an audio described video for the blind and visually impaired and closed captions for the Deaf and hard of hearing on both videos, this video features creative submissions from more than 20 local arts organization.

Laurier Archives and Special Collections

Archives and Special Collections are open for bookable research appointments to Laurier faculty, students and staff. More information on bookable research appointments can be found on the Laurier Archives page.

Staff continue to provide some virtual reference services, on-demand scanning services and answer questions about supports for classes and research. Please see the Laurier Archives Research collections and University Archives websites to research our holdings online. Please contact the Laurier Archives and Special Collections by email or by email form.

Library Makerspace

The Library Makerspace is currently available with online services only for the Laurier community. However, Virtual Maker Mondays drop-in sessions are running from 1pm to 4pm each week. Email Darin White for the Zoom link. A Facebook group has been set up for sharing projects and connecting with other makers.

If you'd like to consult on a maker project, finding community maker resources, or just ask a question, email Darin White.

Robert Langen Art Gallery & exhibitions

Gallery space and exhibitions: The Robert Langen Art Gallery and in-building exhibitions are currently not available. However, the Reconnection and LIFT Serie's Face Lift exhibitions are available online.

DIY Artists Toolkits: The distribution of Robert Langen Art Gallery's DIY Artist Toolkits distribution are temporarily suspended.

Study Spaces

Library study space will be provided at Waterloo and Kitchener campuses starting Monday September 13th during building opening hours. Excess chairs will be removed to ensure appropriate occupancy levels and physical distancing.

• Open study spaces (carrels and tables) will be available on a first come, first served basis (no booking)
• Study spaces (carrels and tables) in Waterloo available on the following floors: 2nd/Main floor and Floors 4 through 7
• Closed individual study rooms will be reserved directly by users for up to six hours per day
• Group study rooms will be limited to one occupant and reserved directly by users for up to six hours per day
• Bookable study space appointments for the Laurier Library are available
  • The interface for booking study areas on the main floor of the library is currently using Eventbrite, which has accessibility issues, as indicated on the notice of disruption tab
• The 3rd floor will be designated as staff-only floor for the fall term

• Accessible Content ePlatform (ACE)
• Access to online resources
• HathiTrust (Emergency Temporary Access Service)
• Access to physical collections
• Books to Go
• Mail on Demand
• Scan on Demand
• Course reserves
• Gaming collection
• Interlibrary Loan

Last Updated

This tab was last updated: September 13th, 2021

Accessible Content ePlatform (ACE)

The ACE service, which provides alternate formats of printed books, is currently operational. Due to COVID-related operational restrictions, workflows have been modified to accommodate safety protocols and response times may be slower. Students with ACE tokens can browse materials currently digitized and contained in the ACE repository. Students can also make a request to access an alternative format, digital version of items not found in the repository.

The ACE service is currently limited to books already available in the e-portal or those items available through one of the University of Toronto libraries participating in curbside pick up. If an item is not available through ACE, Library staff will attempt to locate it using a number of other options, including the HathiTrust Accessible Text Service.

For more information, please contact the Library’s Accessibility staff.

Access to Online Resources

Databases and Electronic Collections

The Laurier Library has a rich collection of online databases, eBooks, eJournals, and other digital materials to support your teaching, learning, and research throughout the mandated closure of our library locations. These include:

• Omni search tool and databases covering all subjects to search and find research resources
• Listing of online resources by type:
  • eJournals (Omni)
  • eBooks
    • New: eBook Academic Collection (EBSCOHost), 200,000+ ebooks
  • Data, statistics, and GIS
  • Online videos

Hathi Trust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS)

With the re-opening of the Library’s book stacks and collections at Waterloo and Kitchener campuses, the HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS) will be deactivated on Monday September 13th, 2021.

For more information, please see Library news item about HathiTrust service deactivation.

Access to Physical Collections

Laurier students, faculty, and staff can request circulating collections (such as books) to be mailed to any Canadian address through Omni. The library will provide you with a prepaid mailing label so you can return the books to the library by mail for free.

Books to Go

On Monday September 13th, the Library will transition to open stacks/direct collections access at the Waterloo and FSW (Kitchener) Libraries. Users can browse and retrieve materials directly from stacks and check out at a self-check machines (Waterloo) or service point at FSW Library. Brantford Public Library will provide borrowing services for Laurier Brantford Users.

Additional service details:

• Omni and ILL requests will be available for pick up at the service desk in Waterloo, FSW Library and Brantford Public Library.
• Library users will still have an option to reserve items in Omni and pick up at the service desk in Waterloo.
• Access to materials from the fourth floor ensemble room (scores and videos) will be available by request to be picked up from the main floor service desk.
• Books to Go bookmobile will continue to operate delivering books and other requested items under an enhanced schedule across all our campus locations.

For users who are not able to come to campus, the Library will continue to offer a direct to home mail service (Mail on Demand, see below).

Mail on Demand

Laurier students, faculty, and staff can request circulating collections (such as books) to be mailed to any Canadian address through Omni. The library will provide you with a prepaid mailing label so you can return the books to the library by mail for free.

More details are described on the library's Mail on Demand service page.

Scan on Demand

The Library has a new digitization service, Scan on Demand, which gives undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty the ability to request digital scans from books or journals.

Scanning is limited to items from the Library’s Waterloo collection and will follow the University's Access Copyright and Fair Dealing guidelines.

Requests can be submitted through Omni.

For more information on how to access and use this service, including lists of which resources are included, please see the Scan on Demand service page.

Course Reserves

The print reserves services will be not available for the fall term.

Students can access a wide variety of course materials (scanned journal articles and book chapters, ebook chapters, streaming audio/video, etc.) through the Library's ARES online reserve system from the Library homepage or within MyLearningSpace.

Faculty members are encouraged to work with Library Copyright and Resource Delivery Services Department (CaRDS) to develop and provide access to electronic reserves and electronic course packs.

Please consult the course readings (reserves) page or email libreserves@wlu.ca for assistance with course readings (reserves). Students are encouraged to check with their professors with questions about revised course readings.

The Library will continue to purchase electronic textbooks where these are commercially available with an institutional license. Faculty are encouraged to contact their Subject Liaison Librarian for additional assistance.

Subject librarians can also provide assistance to faculty members for course readings through purchase of electronic books (where available). The Library also maintains a resource page with information on openly licensed teaching materials, such as Open Educational Resources (OERs).

The Library provides a number of copyright services to faculty, including copyright clearance services for course materials. The Library’s Quick Guide to Copyright is available. Questions on copyright including clearances should be emailed to libreserves@wlu.ca.

Gaming Collection

The Library’s gaming collection, including all game consoles, digital games and board games, located in the Brantford Digital Library and Learning Commons (DLLC) is currently not available.

Interlibrary Loan (Requesting from other Libraries)

Interlibrary loan (ILL) services for physical and electronic items has been restarted. Resources are now available from a number of participating Ontario university libraries.

Placing Requests

• If you find the item after searching Omni, then you can place the request directly through Omni. The library will automatically place the request with an Omni library that has it
• If you can't find the item after searching Omni, then submit your interlibrary loan request through Racer and the library will borrow the item from a library beyond Omni

Delivery

• All physical ILL requests will be delivered through Laurier's Books to Go service or the Mail on Demand service
• Items from the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo, as well as the shared Annex, are delivered to Laurier five days a week
• Items from other universities may take longer

Returns

• Drop-off bins for physical books are located at Waterloo campus and Brantford Public Libraries Main Branch.
• Returns can be accepted at Kitchener on Tuedsay and Thursday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Fines

• Fines will not accrue for late interlibrary loans at this time

• Accessibility services
• Returning books and other items
• Copyright
• Help & research assistance
• Online library instruction
• Subject librarians

Last updated

Tab was last reviewed: September 2nd, 2021

Accessibility services

The Library continues to offer accessibility services to Laurier students, faculty and staff with disabilities who are working online. For research or other assistance, please email the Library's Accessibility Services staff.

As of September 13th, the Waterloo campus library will again be providing access to individual study rooms for students registered with the Accessible Learning Centre.

Returning books and other items

Borrowing books and other items

Users can request books through Omni. Books are delivered by the Bookmobile at pre-set pick up times for each campus. Please refer to the Books to Go service page for more details

Returning items

You can review your borrowed items online through the My Library Accounts menu option in Omni. Should you have trouble renewing your loans, or have any questions, please contact us Library’s Ask Us chat or email us.

Your items can be returned to the book bins at the entrance to the Waterloo library and at the BPL main branch in Brantford. Returns can be done at any time. Returns at the Kitchener location can only be done while the Books to Go van is on-site (Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:30 am – 12:30 pm).

Due dates and fines

No fines will be charged for overdue Library books and other materials not returned during building closures. All borrowed items will have their due dates extended accordingly.

Current due dates for all books and materials on loan from Laurier and Waterloo have been extended to September 7th, 2021. Loans from University of Guelph must be renewed (if desired) through your My Library Account in Omni. If you are unable to renew items from the University of Guelph, email library circulation. The Library will provide additional information about materials borrowed from other libraries (interlibrary loan) in the future.

Copyright

The Library provides a number of copyright services to faculty, including copyright clearance services for course materials. For general information on copyright services, see the Copyright page. The Library’s Quick Guide to Copyright is available. Questions on copyright including clearances should be emailed to: libreserves@wlu.ca.

Help & research assistance

The Library’s Ask Us chat service is available Monday to Friday 10 am to 10 pm and Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.

Subject librarians are also available to work remotely with members of the Laurier community. Appointments can be booked online with librarians. Course guides and subject guides can provide support for your class assignments. You can also send us your questions directly by email.

The Library phone system for help is currently not available. The Library’s Ask Us chat service is available Monday to Friday 10 am to 10 pm and Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.

Online library instruction

Librarians can support online courses by providing online research skills instruction and student research help. Some possible options are suggested on the online instruction support page. Librarians can do live instruction using Zoom, create help resources, or be added to your MyLearningSpace course to assist students. Please contact your subject librarian to discuss options. The Library also provides a large number of video tutorials on basic research skills, which can be linked to or embedded in MyLearningSpace.

Subject librarians

Through fall 2021, Subject librarians will provide support primarily online.

Each academic program has a librarian who manages the collections and provides research help and teaching support on research and information management skills using the Library. Liaison Librarians provide a variety of support services to faculty including:

• Providing research help students and faculty
• Selecting & managing information resources for across disciplines
• Creating online course guides and subject guides
• Supporting teaching and learning by providing instruction on Research skills
• Integrating research content within MyLearningSpace
• A listing of Subject Librarians is available on the Library’s website
• Appointments can be booked online with Librarians

• Notice of service disruptions
• Fully restored services

Last updated

Tab was last updated: September 13th, 2021

Notices of service disruptions

Accessible Content ePlatform

• Description: The Accessible Content ePlatform (ACE) is operational but may be slower than usual
• Reason: Reasons for slower speed is due to COVID staffing restrictions
• Alternatives:
  • Scanned book chapters of items held by the Laurier Library are available through Scan on Demand. For instructions on how to request tagged PDFs, email Mark Weiler at mweiler@wlu.ca or by email form.
  • Electronic versions of 30% of our in-copyright books is available through the HathiTrust emergency temporary access service.
  • Instructions on accessing and searching the HathiTrust ETAS are available. For screen readers users needing an orientation to this new interface, email Mark Weiler at mweiler@wlu.ca or by email form.

Access to physical building

• Description:
  • Complete access to all Laurier Library buildings is restricted, with the exception of the following
  • Bookable study spaces in on the Waterloo campus library is available starting August 9th, 2021. An accessibility issue with the reservation system is described on this page.
  • Onsite research appointments with the Laurier Archive is suspended
• Reason:
  • Access to the Laurier Library spaces is limited due to the provincial lockdown
• Alternatives:
  • For the Archives and Special Collections: Access to some online materials may be possible
• Duration:
  • The Waterloo campus library will reopen September 13th, 2021

Borrowing from Laurier Library’s games collections

• Description:
  • Borrowing from the Gaming collection is not active
• Reason: To protect the health and safety of library users and staff
• Alternatives:
  • None identified yet
• Duration: To be determined

Course readings: Print reserves

• Description: Library print reserves are not currently accessible at our libraries
• Reason: To protect the health and safety of library users and staff
• Alternatives: Electronic course reserves
• Duration: To be determined

Inclass library instruction

• Description: Some librarians may provide inclass library instruction; some may not.
• Reason: Health and safety
• Alternative: Online library instruction is available
• Duration: To be determined

Interlibrary loan

• Description:
  • While interlibrary loan (ILL) services for physical and electronic items has been restarted for Laurier and some participating OCUL libraries, some libraries are still not lending their materials
  • For a more detailed service updated see the interlibrary loan section of the this covid-19 services update page
  • For full instructions, please see Request from other libraries
  • Delivery procedures may be slower at lending universities
• Reason:
  • Some libraries are not lending materials due to covid situation
• Alternatives:
  • No alternatives to slower book delivery
• Duration: To be determined

Library Makerspace

• Description: The Library Makerspace and equipment is currently unavailable.
• Reason: To protect the health and safety of library users and staff
• Alternatives:
  • Virtual Maker Mondays drop-in sessions, 1 pm to 4 pm each week. Email Darin White for the Zoom link.
  • Laurier Library Makerspace Online, Facebook group for sharing projects and connecting with other makers
  • Project consultations, finding community maker resources, ask a question. Email Darin White.
• Duration: To be determined

Library spaces for relaxing and respite

• Description: The regular library spaces for relaxing and respite are not available
• Reason: To protect the health and safety of library users and staff
• Alternatives
  • Online gallery exhibitions are available for remote reflection (Reconnection, Face Value), with description
  • Library created video, with contributions from 20 local arts organizations: Love in the Time of COVID (video with audio description) captions provided
• Duration: To be determined

Phone help

• Description: Contacting library employees by phone is not possible.
• Reason: Very few employees are working in the library
• Alternatives:
  • Library employees can be contacted by email
  • The services desk can be contacted through the Ask Us online chat service, available on the library home page as well as other pages.
• Duration: To be determined

Reserving study space on main floor of Waterloo campus

• Description: Reserving study space on main floor requires using the Eventbrite system. We have learned of it having accessibility problems
• Reason:
  • Controlled access to library main floor spaces is a novel requirement and the only available service at time of reopening was Eventbrite
• Alternative:
  • Alternative are being explored
• Duration:
  • Unknown

Robert Langen Art Gallery and exhibitions

• Description: The Robert Langen Art Gallery (RLAG) and all on-site exhibitions and activities are temporarily suspended.
• Reason: To protect the health and safety of our students, staff, faculty and public at large
• Alternatives:
  • The following online exhibition are available: Reconnection, Face Value, and Chain Reaction
• Duration: To be determined

Robert Langen Art Gallery DIY artists toolkits

• Description: Robert Langen Art Gallery (RLAG), DIY artist toolkits distribution are temporarily suspended
• Reason: To protect the health and safety of our students, staff, faculty and public at large
• Alternatives:
  • None identified yet
• Duration: To be determined

Fully restored services

Browsing collections at Waterloo campus library and Kitchener (Faculty of Social Work) library

• During Waterloo campus library and Kitchener (Faculty of Social Work) library hours, browsing by open collection is now active

Borrowing from the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo

• Description: Borrowing and lending of print books and materials has been restored between Laurier and the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo

Borrowing from other Ontario university libraries

• Description: Borrowing and lending of print books and materials has also been restored between Laurier and other Ontario university libraries, beyond the University of Waterloo and the University of Guelph