April 1st, 2020
Here is the latest information, as of April 1st, concerning library policies, access, hours, and collections during the current pandemic of Covid-19. Please note that this is a rapidly updating situation, and as we make changes to our policies, we will continue to update this page. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter as well for more updates.
Library Hours and Restrictions
The Ross Pendergraft Library will be reducing regular hours effective March 27th :
- Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday, 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Library Computer Labs
The Library computer labs and printing are still available, but please observe the following restrictions:
- Computer labs and library services at this time are only available to students, faculty, and staff.
- In order to comply the Arkansas Governor’s orders, only 10 people are allowed on each floor. If the 10th person is already on the floor, you may be asked to go to another floor.
- Do not hold meetings or sit next to each other. Do not congregate in groups.
- Use hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to wipe down keyboards and surfaces between each use. HELP US PREVENT VIRAL SPREAD BY WIPING DOWN YOUR KEYBOARD AND MOUSE BEFORE AND AFTER EACH USE.
- If you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, including fever or cough, stay at home or in your dorm room at this time. Do not come to the library!
Library Physical Collections
We are still making our collections available for check-out. All materials currently checked out, with the exception of reserve items, headphones, and calculators, are not due back to the library until August 4th. We have an outdoor drop-box at the north entrance, if you do not wish to come inside the library. Additionally, all college universities in other parts of the state, including the Ozark campus, can facilitate the return of our books if you wish to return them there. Short loan items like textbooks and headphones are still under normal circulation policies, and should be returned promptly for use by other students.
Library Services and Staffing
Most services are still available. Interlibrary Loan is currently limited to online articles, only. The circulation desk will be staffed, but Reference will be available via chat or telephone. By using chat, the librarians can share their screen for more enhanced instruction. This is available via our “Ask Us” page. This site also features our phone numbers:
- Text: 479-802-4876
- Reference: 479-964-0570
- Main Desk: 479-964-0569
Online Resources
All databases, streaming videos, and ebooks are still available via our website at Find It or via the A-Z Databases page. The library is currently in the process of expanding our streaming video to accommodate current faculty requests, but our main streaming collections at this time include:
- Swank Digital Campus (currently available via vDesktops or on campus only).
- Academic Videos Online
- Kanopy
- Digital Theatre Plus
Additionally, we have partnered with multiple vendors for expanded coverage of existing databases and trials of new collections. Please read our New Online Resources During Coronavirus Pandemic news update for a full list.
Library Instruction Videos
The librarians are currently working on a series of videos for how to access our basic collection and services online. Here are some instructional videos currently available:
- How to use Refworks
- How to search Find It
- How to use Opposing Viewpoints, an invaluable tool for students beginning research in social issues in the U.S.
- Basic searching with PsycINFO
We will continue to update our video offerings as we move through this time. Check back here for updates
Online Library Research Guides
For students working on research papers, we have built a staggering number of customized guides for topics and classes. Each guide contains suggested resources for articles, tips for citations, and links to other instructional videos, websites, and more to help them complete their assignments.
We currently have a guide specific for faculty that addresses distance education, streaming media, ebook collections, and more: http://libguides.atu.edu/facultyresources
Information sources for COVID-19
For campus specific information, visit the ATU Coronavirus (Covid-19) Information page. The latest information for the public health will be freely available at federal and state government agency websites, like the CDC and the Arkansas Department of Health. If need paywalled articles from Washington Post or articles from Lancet, and other academic or medical journals that you can access from home, here are some library-provided resources:
- Newspaper Source: Current access to New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other newspapers around the country and world.
- News (Gale OneFile):Current access to Washington Post & New York Times, and other newspapers around the country and world.
- Chronicle of Higher Education: This is the full digital version.
- UpToDate: This is the point-of-care critical resource used by nurses and clinicians. It requires a personal login, in addition to your tech login, but information is organized as a clinical aid in diagnosing, treating, and understanding disease and medical problems. A great source to translate “doctor” speak and to find a quick summary of current academic literature.
- MedLine: This is the most comprehensive database for medical, academic literature. Indexing JAMA, Lancet, and other top medical journals, this is a great source for locating the most academic studies on COVID-19, coronaviruses, and other peer-reviewed medical studies.
We will continue to update you as we get information and the situation changes. But we are here to help you, however we can, for as long as we can.
Good luck out there and stay safe!
