Student FAQ’s Fall Quarter 2021

Library Hours Fall Quarter: Sign posted on door. Hours in the text of this blog post.

On behalf of the entire UW Tacoma Library staff, welcome, and welcome back, for the Fall 2021 Quarter. Below are a number of FAQ’s that we hope will guide you through our services. We appreciate your efforts to keep our community safe by following University protocols.

The University requires requires masks indoors for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, and also requires all students and personnel to be vaccinated. Please get vaccinated if you haven’t already, and attest to your vaccination status. These are just two of the many health and safety measures in place for fall quarter.

Are the UW Tacoma Library spaces physically open during the Fall Quarter 2021?

  • YES. Beginning 9/20/2021, the Tioga Library Building (TLB) will be open. Snoqualmie remains closed, as it is currently under active construction. See below for more information about what services are being offered in the building.

Fall Quarter 2021 Building Hours 

Monday – Thursday: 7:30AM-7:30PM

Friday: 7:30AM- 5 PM

Saturday – Sunday: Curbside pickup only, 12-4

We will be following COVID health and safety protocols

What Services are available in the TLB?

  • The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) Writing Center
    • Our TLC Writing Center colleagues will now be on TLB2 with us. We are excited to welcome them. Head up to the 2nd Floor to learn about their services.
  • UWT Library Research Help
    • The Research Help Desk will be closed for in-person consultations during Fall Quarter 2021 because of staffing. Thank you for your understanding.
    • General research help is available 24/7 through our online chat service. This service is staffed by UW Librarians but at peak service times or off-hours you may be chatting with a librarian from another academic library.  There is one dedicated 24/7 chat terminal on TLB2 that you can use during our building hours!
    • Students and faculty can schedule an appointment with a librarian. Appointments can be scheduled to meet over Zoom or in person.
  • UWT Library Access Services (Book Check Out, Course Reserves, Weekend Curbside)
    • Speak to one of our staff members at the TLB1 Circulation Desk for more information
  • (temporarily) UWT Library IT Help

How can I get access to Library Materials?

The general recommendation for connecting to library resources is to start from links on library webpages and guides.  The links are built so that they automatically trigger UW authentication (logging in with your UW netID), so the various vendor platforms recognize that a user is affiliated with the University of Washington.

  • UW Libraries Search: Use the filters on the left hand side of the screen to focus on ebooks, streaming audio or video, and other online resources.
  • Start Your Research: There are also lots of databases that provide digital articles, video, and more! Once in the database, use the filters on the left hand side of the screen to focus on ebooks, streaming audio or video, and other online resources.
  • Research Guides: The research guides give you online resources by topic and subject area, as well as librarian tips.
  • Off-Campus Access: If you are starting from the Libraries website, simply click on the resource you want and you should be prompted for your UW NetID when it is needed.

How do I use Weekend Curbside Services?

We are as happy as you are that this service remains available, as it is and always remains a part of our strategic plan to accelerate scholarship and learning through responsive collections.

To check out a book

  • Request books or media through UW Libraries Search, the same way you always have! Be sure to select ‘Tacoma’ as your pick-up location.
  • You will receive an email when your materials are on our hold shelf. To check the status of your holds at anytime, log in to your Library Account.
  • Once notified your holds are available, reserve a curbside window by selecting a day and time at the bottom of our Curbside page. You will be prompted to fill out a booking form that gives you a specific time slot on Saturday or Sunday for pickup. If you need assistance, email library staff at taclib@uw.edu. You will receive a follow up email, once staff have confirmed your curbside appointment.
  • If you arrive by foot, please maintain a safe distance from our curbside service. Follow this link for Google Directions.
  • Contact staff at 253-692-4831 (number also on curbside signage at the Library). Staff will verify your identity over the phone, then check materials out to you.  Staff will only answer this line during curbside appointment windows.
  • Staff will place materials outside the TLB exit by the Tioga Parking Lot. Once staff are back inside the building, you can retrieve your materials.

Please comply with our safety signage by wearing masks and maintaining a comfortable social distance 6 feet of distance to keep our community healthy and safe. Thank you!

What if I need WiFi?

  • Students, faculty, and staff can use WiFi on UW campus or via any campus that uses Eduroam, a secure, encrypted WiFi network that is the preferred WiFi connection method for UW students, faculty and staff.  If you are near UW or any other university/college campus that uses this network, you should be able to connect.

How do I check out Computers, Calculators and Laptops?

At this time the Library offers laptops and Macbooks loaded with the software that students would normally find on campus computers, as well as graphing and scientific calculators.  Talk to us at our “Ask” desk on TLB1!

Renewing and Returning Library Materials

  • Book drops in Tacoma, Bothell and Seatte are now open for returns.

Drive up book return accessible from the C-Street turnaround by Gillenwater Plaza (map)

  • Due dates have been extended where possible. Exceptions include Summit, Interlibrary Loan and recalled items. Due dates will stop being extended once the Libraries open for fall quarter. Overdue fines accrued between March 6, 2020 and the day the Libraries re-open will be cancelled. Fines accrued before March 6, 2020 can be paid online. Questions? Email suzzcirc@uw.edu.

Other Services

  • Interlibrary Loan: Interlibrary Loan is now available for requesting most physical materials..
  • Streaming Video:
    • Students: Please check out the streaming videos we have available!
    • Need a book we don’t yet have? Fill out our request form and we will do our best under the circumstances.

Thank you, everyone. We are all in this together.

Let's be safe together. Masks are currently required at in all UW buidlings and facilities under both University and Washington State mandates. Image of library building and library logo.