OHIO’s Alden Library Resumes Access to Print Collections

On Monday, June 22 University Libraries’ Alden Library will begin accepting requests from OHIO’s faculty, staff and current students to borrow print materials from the locally owned collections inside Alden Library, the Library Annex (Southeast Ohio Regional Depository) and the Music & Dance Library on the Athens Campus. The process will typically take between two-to-five business days to turn around, depending on volume and the need to quarantine some materials before lending.

Although Alden Library remains closed, we are making the collections accessible through this service.  University Libraries’ staff will retrieve the requested materials, check them out to the user’s account, and have them available for "no-contact" pickup Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Alden Library’s second-floor vestibule off Park Place entrance.

"You will have to be a faculty, staff or a current student with an [active OHIO ID] to enable card-swipe access, so you can swipe in and pick up your book(s) in the vestibule," explained Chad Boeninger, head of User Services & business librarian. "It will already be on a cart with your name on it; you just pick it up and go."

The Libraries’ intent is to transition into other phases of re-opening of University Libraries spaces through a series of phases in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the Libraries’ remote services will continue to remain available to all users. This initial phase provides access to the Libraries’ print collections. While at the same time, the Libraries’ staff will resume receiving and processing new physical collections, scanning some content from general and special collections and beginning to prepare Alden Library spaces for the subsequent phases of its re-opening.

"[This phase] will provide requesting and self-pick-up access of Athens Campus materials from the Athens Campus," said Boeninger.

Additionally, plans are underway for resuming access to print collections on regional campuses.

To borrow print materials, visit the Libraries homepage, locate the search box and dropdown arrow to the “ALICE Catalog,” and start browsing the collection. Once the book(s) is located, click the purple ”Request" button at the top of the screen to select a pick-up location.

"You will also receive an email notification that your items are ready to pick up," explained Katy Mathuews, interim coordinating director of specialized collections & head of Collections Assessment & Access. "The email will include a link to a webpage giving specific instructions on how to safely pick up your materials and protocols, [which the Libraries asks all users to follow for health and safety reasons.]"

Staff will also begin to clear patron accounts of the more than 5,000 books and other materials returned to Alden Library since March.

At this time, the Libraries is unable to offer faculty/staff delivery services. OhioLINK delivery services are also currently unavailable across the state of Ohio; although plans are underway within the OhioLINK membership community to resume those services. Presently, only locally owned materials from the Athens campus are requestable at this time.

The planning for the subsequent phases of the reopening of the Libraries’ facilities and in-person services is underway and will be informed by the University’s fall planning and approved recommendations.

The Libraries’ staff is looking forward to welcoming the OHIO students, faculty and staff back to Alden Library to connect with our services and resources, as we all work toward a safe and healthy environment.

"We hope that all our users watch out for each other in the OHIO community, including our faculty, staff and students, and all our employees, by wearing the appropriate personal protection equipment, such as masks and washing hands, [in order] to keep our entire community safe and healthy," said Boeninger.

To find more information about the Libraries reopening and requesting the Libraries print materials, check out our FAQ.