By Musselman Library Staff
As you are packing your final necessities and preparing for a fall semester like no other, you may be wondering how things will be different at Musselman Library. The Library staff created a short video covering the highlights of the changes. You can also find information on our Musselman Library Resources and Services Fall 2020 guide.
Here are some of the changes made at Musselman Library in order to keep everyone as safe as possible this fall semester:
Masks required. Just like everywhere else on campus, facial coverings are required to be worn during your entire visit to Musselman Library. Thank you for doing your part in keeping campus healthy!
Library Hours. In order to provide the housekeeping staff the time to do deep and thorough cleanings overnight, the library will close at 11 pm Sunday – Thursday and at 6 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings. The library doors will reopen at 8 am on weekdays, and at 12 noon on the weekends.
Please note, the first two weeks of classes the library will be closing at 10 pm as we hire and train our student employees. Thank you for your understanding!
Card swipe access. Since access to Musselman Library is limited to current Gettysburg College students, faculty, and staff, you will need to use your College ID card to gain entry to the building. Please use the card swipe access on the west (Stine Lake) side of the building.
Courtesy of Musselman Library
To create a safer environment, we have:
Reduced density by removing furniture. You will find only one chair per table. Please do not move furniture. While we love that students feel ownership of the library space, and normally we encourage collaborative study, in order to limit the spread of COVID-19, we are asking everyone to study at their own tables.
Increased sanitization by adding additional hand sanitizing stations on every level of the library. We have also added special carts with cleaning products on every level for students to sanitize their own work areas.
Increased cleaning schedule thanks to our awesome housekeeping staff! Make sure you tell them ‘thank you’ as they pay special attention to high-touch areas throughout the library.
In order to provide a great research experience, the Library will offer:
Online Research Assistance. Librarians are available to answer research questions online. You can email or text (717-473-4532) your questions at any time, and a librarian will respond to you during regular service hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 am-5 pm, Sunday-Thursday, 6-10 pm, and Friday, 9 am-3 pm. During the regular service hours, you can also live chat with a librarian. For more in-depth one-on-one consultations, you can also schedule a Zoom research appointment with a librarian.
Special Collections Reading Room appointments. Special Collections will be open for research this semester, but students must make an appointment to reserve a table for a one-hour time slot. Reservation times are available Monday-Friday 1-4 pm and Tuesday-Wednesday evenings 6-8 pm (unless classes are being held). As always you can Ask an Archivist for research help.
Musselman-To-Go service. You are encouraged to request books through MUSCAT Plus, and library staff will pull the materials, check them out to you, and you can pick them up at your convenience whenever the library is open. A great contactless option that we highly recommend!
Pick up shelves. Courtesy of Musselman Library.
However, if you prefer to browse the stacks when looking for items, the regular book collection is still open for your perusal. Just be ready to hold up your College ID and books up to the plexiglass at the Check-Out desk.
Technology changes – where are the printers? In order to reduce congestion on the main level of the library, the printers have been relocated to the ground floor of Glatfelter Hall. Students can access Glatfelter Hall more hours than the library, so this location change is beneficial.
The other public printers on campus can be found in the HUB.
Finally, like the rest of the campus, lab computers have been removed from the library for safety concerns since they could not adequately be cleaned between usage.
Charging cords, power banks, headphones – oh my! Due to the difficult nature of sanitizing charging cords, the library will not be lending these this fall. Please bring your own cords or make use of the Charging Locker on the main level near the Browsing Room.
Omni power banks are still available for checkout (just BYOC – bring your own cord).
Headphones are also difficult to sanitize and will not be loaned out this fall. We will have complimentary earbuds available at the Check-Out desk while supplies last. If you have questions about library services this fall semester, check out the Musselman Library Resources and Services Fall 2020 guide, and if that doesn’t answer your question, please email us at ask@gettysburg.edu and we will be happy to respond.
Here’s to a healthy semester!
