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COVID-19 UPDATE: CURBSIDE PICKUP AND MAILING NOW AVAILABLE.
Library building closed except for Connection. See COVID-19 Service Updates and Resources

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 January 14, 2021 @ 11:12 a.m.

FAQs
Changes to Library Operations

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. 
    • 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 print books: TCC students, faculty, and staff who live nearby and are willing to come in may request an unlimited number of books for pickup using our Walk In or Curbside Pickup services.
      • 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?” If you choose the pickup option, you will receive an email once the item is ready that will include a link to make a reservation for either Walk In or Curbside Pickup. A reservation is required for pickup.
      • Please note that our ability to mail items or to offer this pickup 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.
  • Course Readings: We are committed to providing course readings for Spring 2021 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.
    • We will not be lending out print copies of Course Readings, but chapter/section scans of sections of print-only course readings may be requested 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.
  • Items that are currently checked out: Loan periods for current loans will be extended until May 14, 2021, but some exceptions do apply, including Tech Lending, DVDs, recalled items, and some Resource Sharing items.
    • You can return books you have checked out from the Library or via Resource Sharing in the book bins located outside the Library building (Map of TCCL External Book Drop Locations).
    • If you choose, you can also mail books back to the library by sending them to this address:
      • The Claremont Colleges Library, Attention Library Circulation, 800 N. Dartmouth Ave, Claremont, CA 91711
    • To request a pre-paid FedEx Label to return items, complete the Return Items by Mail form.
  • Scanning print books, journals, or microfilm:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Changes to Events

All Library events and programs scheduled for Spring 2020 have been postponed or canceled.

Special Collections Policy Update

Access Update 8/21/2020

While the library building is closed to visitors, Special Collections staff continue to work remotely with intermittent access to the collections.  We are available to support your instruction and research needs.

Instruction: If you’re interested in incorporating a session, activity, or assignment into your class in fall 2020, Special Collections librarians are available to help. We are ready to provide virtual instruction and activities — synchronously and asynchronously — tailored to your needs and incorporating digitized primary sources in your classes and projects.

Request an Instruction Session

Research:  We are available to help students with research projects drawing on digitized primary sources. Special Collections staff can be reached via email, chat, or research appointment.

Ask Special Collections

Digitization: If we can support your research by providing digitized copies of some Special Collections materials, please send us a request through your Special Collections account. We also encourage you to browse our digital collections as well as other online digital repositories such as Calisphere and the Library of Congress Digital Collections.

Find & Request Materials

Please visit the library’s web site for further updates as the situation evolves.

We wish you good health and hope to see you soon.

Visit the Special Collections Homepage for more information about our collections and services.