UW Libraries Blog

October 7, 2020

UW Libraries Launches No Contact Pick-Up Service 

UW Libraries

UW Libraries is pleased to announce the launch of no-contact pick-up service– now available on all three campuses– Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma!  The health and safety of our UW community has been our number one priority in planning for this new service. Anyone with an active UW Libraries borrowers card or current UW student, staff and faculty can request materials. Before you request an item for pick-up, there are a few things you need to know to ensure a safe and hassle-free transaction.

FIRST, FOLLOW THE STEPS (also posted under “Borrow and Returns” , via the Libraries home page): 

1.Search and Find: Log in and search to find your item in UW Libraries Search (standard process). You must log in via the green tab FIRST before making a request for pick-up.


2. Make Your Request (standard process). If an item can be requested, you will see a “Request” button in the record for the item. Select the “Request” button to initiate a pick-up and choose your preferred location.

  • If you do not see the purple request button, the item is not available to request for a variety of reasons (see below)*.
  • Delivery to campus mailboxes is not available at this time since some mailboxes are not accessible.

3. Wait: It may take a week or more to prepare your item for pick-up, depending on its location, destination and staff availability. Thank you for your patience. To check the status of your holds at any time, log in to your Library Account.

4. Get notice and follow instructions: 

    • The Libraries will send you an email with specific instructions for pick-up when your item is ready.  
    • If you have any questions, please reply to your email notification. 

Requested materials will be held for 14 days after they arrive on the hold shelf.

TIMES/LOCATIONS: Pick-up days and times will be limited to start, and expanded over time. Pick-up instructions and requirements may change/vary by campus. Be sure to check your campus Library web site FIRST for current information. 

  • SEATTLE
    • LOCATION: At the North Allen entry at the end of Skagit Lane, across from Gowen Hall 
    • PICK-UP TIMES: Tuesday & Friday from 10-2
    • CONTACT: 206-543-2553

 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Pick-up instructions and requirements may change/vary by campus. Be sure to follow the instructions in your email and check your campus Library web site for current information. Generally, the following requirements apply for all pick-up locations: 

  • Bring a cell phone to call when you arrive. If you do not have access to a phone, follow the procedures listed on the website for your pick-up location.
  • Wear a mask or other face covering when you pick-up items.
  • Leave 6 feet of distance between yourself and others who are waiting in line.
  • Be prepared to verify your identification over the phone by providing your name, school ID number or Libraries card barcode, and a piece of contact information (e.g. phone number).  This is how staff will check materials out to you.
  • Remain behind the designated marker and wait for your item(s) to be delivered to the cart/table.
  • After the staff member has delivered your items to the cart and returned to the building, you may approach the shelf/cart and pick-up your items.   
  • In order to prioritize health and safety, please avoid face-to-face conversations with libraries staff. If you have questions after you pick-up your items, please refer to instructions listed on the website for your campus Library/pick-up location.

We appreciate your flexibility and patience as we launch this new service. Updates to the Libraries phased re-opening plans are always posted on the Libraries COVID Update page and shared on social media as planning evolves including these helpful links:

Please continue to share your questions and input to help us improve our services.

*Here are some reasons you might not see a request button: 

  1. You haven’t logged in to the UW Libraries Search through the green bar.  That is a necessary step even if you think you’re already logged in with your UW NetID.  The green bar will disappear after you’re logged in and the request link will appear for books that can be requested. 
  2. Books at Summit libraries are not available for requesting.
  3. The book is labeled “library use only”.
    • Items are rare or fragile items that cannot be checked out.
    • The item is part of the HathiTrustAccess Service (ETAS), providing access to over 1.7 million books in our collection for which we would normally not have online access because of copyright.  In order to comply with the ETAS rules, we cannot allow print items that are available in this online  collection to circulate. HathiTrust ETAS provides crucial access to our many students who are learning remotely and not in proximity to our physical libraries.

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