COVID-19 Library Updates and Resources

This web page will be updated regularly. Please note that all information is subject to change, and we are reviewing our approach to Library operations on a weekly basis.

Last updated August 18, 2020 @ 5:37 p.m.

Starting Monday, March 23, the Library will be closed to all visitors and staff. While the Library proper will be closed to all visitors, Connection, will still be open and accessible. Please use the South entrance of the Honnold/Mudd building for access to Connection.

Although the Library facility will be closed, our Library staff will continue to work to support you in the following ways:

Questions? Ask Us.
Access to print materials: (5/1/20): Due to the unfolding Covid-19 situation, the library has reduced the number of staff working onsite in the library building. We have heard from a handful of TCC students, faculty, and staff that there is a need to access some materials only available in print for their teaching or research. This is our effort to support our users during these challenging times:
- We will always try to provide an e-copy of a requested book if it is available.
  - Scanning of materials in our collection: Submit requests using our Scanning Request Form.
  - Course Readings: we are committed to providing course readings for Fall 2020 courses. Whenever possible we will obtain an e-copy of each course reading title if one is available for us to acquire (keep in mind that many textbook publishers do not provide electronic purchasing options for libraries. This is because textbook publishers make their profits by selling e-textbooks directly to students). Faculty can use our Course Readings Submission form to submit titles.
  - Chapter/section scans of sections of print-only course readings may be requested by faculty via our Scanning Request Form.
- Subject Librarians are available to work with you to identify alternative editions or titles if no e-copy of a requested book is available.
- If all else fails and we are not able to find an e-copy of a book or of a suitable substitute, but we have the print book in our collection (and it is not a course reading), we can either mail it to you or retrieve it and place it on hold for you to pick up by appointment.
  - Mailing books: (Effective 8/10/20) TCC faculty, staff, and students residing within the continental United States, and residing at least 25 miles away from Claremont, CA, may request that items not available as an e-copy be mailed to them. Some exceptions apply.
  - Picking up books: TCC students, faculty, and staff who live nearby and are willing to come in may request an unlimited number of books for pickup. Please keep in mind that the more items you request, the longer it may take us to collect them and make them available to you.
  - Submit requests for mailing or pick up via the Book Request form at this link or via the “Get this Item” button from within Library Search, which will automatically fill in the form for you. Be sure to choose your preference regarding mailing or pickup when the form prompts you to answer the question “How would you like this item delivered?
  - Please note that our ability to mail items or to offer this pick up service may change without notice due to the evolving events related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Patrons are advised to consult the State of Emergency issued by California Governor Gavin Newsom on 3/19/2020 and the “Safer at Home” policy for LA County that went into effect on 3/20/2020.
  - Stay tuned to this web page for updates.
Items that are currently checked out: Loan periods for current loans will be extended until September 30, 2020. With this in mind, please feel free to hold on to your materials if you expect to be back on campus for the 2020-2021 academic year.
- Effective May 5, 2020, those who want to return books they’ve checked out from the Library or via Resource Sharing may do so in the book bins located outside the Library building (Map of TCCL External Book Drop Locations).
- Starting on May 8, 2020, library staff will be contacting undergraduates who have Resource Sharing books checked out and all 5C seniors with TCC and/or Resource Sharing books checked out to offer to send pre-paid Fedex labels so that books can be easily returned.
  - If you don’t fall into one of the above categories or if you do not receive an email from us by 5/15/20, please contact us (libraryusers@claremont.edu) to request that we send you a pre-paid Fedex label. This is especially encouraged if you do not plan to return to Claremont in Fall 2020.
  - Keep in mind that if you plan to return to campus in the fall please feel free to hold onto library books you have checked out. All TCC due dates have been renewed until 9/30/20.
- If you choose, you can also mail books back to the library on your own, by sending them to this address:
  - The Claremont Colleges Library, Attention Library Circulation, 800 N. Dartmouth Ave, Claremont, CA 91711
Scanning print books, journals, or microfilm:
- Effective July 24, 2020: Requests for scans of sections of print books (print journals or microfilm) an be submitted through the Scanning Request form.
- Requests for digitized copies from Special Collections are managed via our online registration and request system. For help with requesting a digital copies, please review this guide.
Resource Sharing (ILL):
- Effective 8/17/20: Resource Sharing has begun borrowing (and loaning) print materials with a select group of partner libraries. At this time, our ability to fill requests to borrow items we do not own remains limited. As more libraries reopen and resume lending, and depending on our local on-site staffing capacity to handle the demand, we plan to gradually expand our borrowing network and increase volumes.
- If we are not able to borrow print items we will continue to try to obtain items electronically. This includes digital scans of articles and book chapters. This service is contingent upon other libraries remaining open and able to provide this service to us.
- If we are unable to borrow print materials we will attempt to fill all book requests by purchasing an e-copy. If no e-copy is available we will be unable to fill your request at this time.
- If you have an ILL book checked out we are asking that you hold onto it and the Library will request renewals from the lending library on your behalf. No late fees will be charged.
  - Effective May 5, 2020, those who want to return Resource Sharing books/materials may do so in the book bins located outside the Library building (Map of TCCL External Book Drop Locations).
Databases and access to e-resources:
- Please note that over half of our collection is accessible electronically. All of our online resources will still be available.
- Additionally, many publishers announced that they are opening access to their online materials; some materials we did not previously have access to may now be available.
Course readings: Library staff will work closely with faculty to provide students electronic access to course readings in their entirety or in part. Please note that students will not be able to check out print course readings.
Remote research assistance: Faculty, staff and students may meet with librarians virtually using Zoom, email, or chat. Contact or schedule an online appointment with a subject librarian.
Remote Library instruction: Faculty may still arrange for their classes to meet with librarians virtually via Zoom. Request an instruction session via the Library website.

Access Update 8/21/2020