June 19, 2020
When Will Libraries Offer A Book Pick-Up Option?
As the community continues to move toward Phase 2 re-opening efforts, you may start to see some local public libraries offering solutions for curb-side pick-up of books. Many of our users are wondering when this type of service will be available for UW Libraries.
While UW Libraries planning teams are actively discussing the implementation of curb-side pick-up service, we will not be able to offer it immediately upon UW moving into Phase 2.
While UW Libraries planning teams are actively discussing the implementation of curb-side pick-up service, we will not be able to offer it immediately upon UW moving into Phase 2
The size and scale of rolling this type of service out for the UW Libraries is much more complex than a typical public library. Planning and implementing this type of service requires a large number of staff entering the building and an equally robust operational plan factoring in the health and safety of employees.
When the proper protocols are in place to provide a safe environment for staff to facilitate such a service, curb-side pick-up is the first public-facing service that we anticipate adding as part of re-opening.
When the proper protocols are in place to provide a safe environment for staff to facilitate such a service, curb-side pick-up is the first public-facing service that we anticipate adding as part of re-opening.
We cannot accurately predict when this service will be available other than to say it will not launch with the onset of UW Phase 2. When Libraries staff are able to enter the building, the first priorities will be to address the backlog of returned materials and to update the catalog to ensure compliance with the Emergency Temporary Access Services. These preparations will take time to complete in order to start public-facing services.
We are aware that this is a hardship for those disciplines that are grounded in physical materials. Finding solutions to safely and effectively deploy curb-side check out as soon as possible is our priority, while still providing online materials to those who cannot come to campus.
Additional guidance regarding summer and fall planning are outlined in the blog Preparing for Summer and Fall Quarter: What You Need to Know Now. Other resources include the Remote Services and COVID-19 Updates sections of our website. As soon as we can provide a more detailed timeline for rolling-out this new service, we will update these resources accordingly and share out broadly through social media, departmental Liaisons and campus news outlets.
If you have questions about Libraries services, please reach out to your subject Librarian or Libraries Libraries AskUs email and 24/7 chat Service.
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