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UW Libraries COVID-19 Updates

This page contains all relevant information related to UW Libraries current operations and response to the COVID-19 outbreak including updates to operations, access to remote services, and other helpful links.

For Bothell and Tacoma campuses, see also: UW Bothell/Cascadia Library COVID-19 Updates and UW Tacoma Library COVID-19 Updates

Last updated March 31, 2020 at 11:20 a.m.

Services

While physical buildings are closed, Libraries staff remain available to help students and faculty access online resources and support 24/7.

See Libraries Remote Resources and Services for complete information.

Changes to Operations

All UW Libraries — Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma — are closed until further notice.

For the health and safety of all employees, all Libraries staff are working remotely, and physical collections are unavailable to scan or pick-up at this time (see below for details).

Librarians are here to help you navigate alternate solutions - see Libraries Remote Resources and Service for guidance.

Circulation policy changes during the closure:

Returning items: all book returns are currently closed. Please keep all items until we reopen. If you are unable to keep items, please email suzzcirc@uw.edu.

Fines: Overdue fines accrued between March 6, 2020 and the day the Libraries re-open will be cancelled.

Due dates: will be extended when possible while services are limited.

Renew books online: see Libraries Remote Resources and Service for instructions on how to renew online.

Requesting physical items: at this time, and until further notice, we will not have access to any of the physical collection, including journals, books, and media, and will not be able to fulfill requests for these materials. Therefore the following services are unavailable: Request a UW item for pick up, Summit, UW Article Scanning Services, Course Instruction Scanning, Physical Course Reserves, Home Delivery, and Department Delivery.
Interlibrary Loan services: Interlibrary Loan continues to fill requests for articles and book chapters. Any requests that cannot be filled with electronic resources will be requested from other libraries. Requests may take longer than normal. Some requests may be cancelled if another library is unable to fulfill the request.

Events, Exhibits and Special Collections

Special Collections: There is no on-site use of collections at this time; however, Special Collections is evaluating options for users and we will post those changes as they are confirmed.
Exhibits: Dates for current/planned exhibits will be announced as access to buildings and public health guidelines evolve.
Events: In-person meetings and events have been cancelled as we transition to online engagement. Check the Libraries calendar for online events and the most up-to-date information.