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Reopening Reed Library for the Fall 2020 Semester

Reed Library’s core mission is to provide quality services and to collect, organize, disseminate, teach, and facilitate access to information in support of the curricular needs of SUNY Fredonia’s students and faculty, as well as the intellectual needs of the broader SUNY Fredonia community. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, our mission remains the same. In accordance with the Returning to Fredonia plan, Reed Library plans to open Saturday, August 22, the weekend prior to the first day of Fall 2020 classes. While some services and resources have changed in modality, access mostly remains the same. 

The following are the Fall 2020 reopening plans for Reed Library, which provides an overview of what to expect when you visit. In accordance with public health and government authorities, Reed Library will make adjustments to the plan as necessary to ensure the safety of our community.

Visiting Reed Library
Reed Library plans to be open seven days a week for SUNY Fredonia students, faculty, and staff throughout the semester with adjusted hours. 

Regular Hours
Monday - Thursday: 9 am - 10 pm
Friday: 9 am - 8 pm
Saturday: 12 - 6 pm
Sunday: 2 - 10 pm

Community users/public patrons
Beginning Monday, November 2, 2020, the Community Patrons (non-SUNY Fredonia students, faculty, or staff) designated open hours are suspended until further notice. This is a result of the campus effort to pool test SUNY Fredonia students, faculty, and staff. Community Patrons can still receive research assistance by phone, email, text, or chat, as well as request materials through the Reed-To-Go service. For more information, please visit Reed Library's Community Patron Services page at: https://fredonia.libguides.com/community.
 
Research Help & Reference Services
Reed Library is offering more options than ever to get assistance. Reference/Research assistance is available 24/7, accessible from Reed Library's homepage or through our text messaging service at 716-407-7698. Reed librarians will staff this service during designated hours throughout the semester. Fredonia students, faculty, and staff can also make an Individual Research Appointment with a Reed librarian conducted through Zoom. Questions are also welcome via email at reedref@fredonia.edu.

Borrowing Materials
Users may still browse and choose their own books, DVDs, CDs. etc., but must continue to practice social distancing and wear a mask. Check-out is touchless to ensure safety. Fredonia students, faculty, and staff may also request items using ReedSearch (available from the library homepage) through our "Reed-To-Go" service -- find the item you are looking for in ReedSearch, sign-in, and request a Hold. We will retrieve the requested items from the stacks, package the materials, and have them ready for pick-up at Service Point #2 near the library entrance. (Please allow 24 hours for materials to be retrieved and ready.)  Materials waiting for pick-up will be held for 72 hours before they are reshelved.

Course Reserves
Due to COVID-19 restrictions on the circulation of physical materials without significant waiting periods, Reed Library will suspend the lending of physical course reserve materials for the semester.

Instead, we will work with faculty to access their needed materials digitally. Faculty are encouraged to work with Reed Library to identify online availability of titles, request scanning of particular sections or chapters of physical materials to upload to OnCourse, as well as discuss alternative sources. To request these services, please fill out the Course Reserve Consultation Form
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Circulation Team at libcirc@fredonia.edu.

Study Spaces
While some of the tables and chairs have been removed to reduce density in the library, a number of spaces will be available for you to use in the library. Study rooms will also be available for reservation. The Tower Lounge will remain closed due to COVID-19.
Due to the major window replacement project, several additional spaces will remain closed:
  • Cement cubby spaces near Fenton Hall
  • Some seating areas in the music mezzanine
  • Garden at Reed
Special Collections and Archives
Until further notice, visits to the reading room are by appointment only. Only one researcher at a time will be permitted. Limited one-hour appointment per day. Virtual tours, meetings, instruction options will be available. 
Visit the Special Collections & Archives homepage for additional information. For general inquiries email speccoll@fredonia.edu. To make arrangements contact the Coordinator of Special Collections & Archives, Mandi Shepp, at amanda.shepp@fredonia.edu.

Construction in the Library

A major widow replacement project began in May 2020 and is continuing. You may see equipment in the library. In addition to the impact on some study spaces:
  • Art books (located near the Garden at Reed; all have call numbers that begin with N) will be inaccessible. Library staff will retrieve these books for patrons.
  • Scanners and microfilm machines may be temporarily inaccessible at times when personnel are working overhead.
  • There may be periodic noise in the main floor of the library, but the Carnahan Jackson Center will be quiet.
  • The Music area will have limited seating.
Questions?
Contact Kerrie Wilkes at Kerrie.Wilkes@fredonia.edu.

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