Study at the Fayette Library

Fall 2020 Updates

Hello! I imagine things may change during the Fall 2020 semester, so we will keep you updated as we go through the semester. Our hours and services will be limited during this time, but we will do everything possible to accommodate your needs. Thank you for your patience as we provide continual and valued service and understand that these hours and services may change as the needs of our campus evolve. Thank you for working with us – Emma Beaver, Head Librarian.

Hours

Closed Stacks

Stacks will be closed for browsing during the fall semester. Materials are available using the “I Want It” feature of the library’s online catalog. Due to a mandated 96-hour quarantine of print materials, not all items may be available right away. Instead of the “I Want It” feature, you may use the HathiTrust database (don’t’ forget to Log In!). Over 48% of the Penn State University Libraries print collection is currently available digitally through this Emergency Temporary Access Service.

Note: Students, faculty, and staff will not be able to physically browse collections at any library location. Closing the stacks lets us retain access to HathiTrust’s Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS). This service makes approximately half of the Penn State Libraries print collection available electronically. Because of copyright law, we must hold back the print copy to make the digital available. It’s important to retain access to the ETAS because: many students and faculty will continue their work remotely, everyone will complete the semester online after November 20, and we don’t know when we might have to pivot and close again. Materials available electronically through ETAS cannot be requested for pick up.

Curbside Pickup

The easiest path to requesting library materials online is using our “I Want It” feature. Alternatively, you can email a member of the library staff or call the library directly.

When ready for pickup, items will be bagged for privacy and placed on a shelving unit in the lobby of the library. You can retrieve your items by visiting the library’s circulation desk and showing your ID, and a staff member will direct you to your items.

Study Rooms

The library study rooms will be serving a different purpose in Fall 2020. Previously reserved only for group study, they will now be available for only up to two students at one time. These rooms will serve as a quiet space for study, participating in remote Zoom classes, and two-person collaboration while on campus. Social distancing and mask guidelines must always be followed while using the room. Students may reserve these rooms using our online reservation system.

Course Reserves

Textbooks that are part of our Course Reserves are available for checkout from the main desk in the library. Usage of print course reserves will be very limited in the fall semester, due to a mandated 96-hour quarantine. Items will be checked out on a twenty-four-hour loan period. Please let the library staff know if you are having difficulty finding the material you need for your class and we will investigate all options for you.

Computers

The number of desktop computers in the library may be slightly reduced due to social distancing, but most of our computers will be running and readily available. We also have laptops available for check out. Unfortunately, our computer’s will not be available to the public and during the 2020 Fall semester.

Newspapers and Magazines

Most of our newspaper and magazine subscriptions have been suspended for the fall semester. Full text is available online through Penn State University Libraries for the following, and many more, periodicals: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Bloomberg Businessweek, People, Sports Illustrated, and Time.

• Use NewsFinder to find online access for newspapers
• To find magazine and journals, choose the E-Journals tab in the FIND box on the Penn State University Libraries homepage.

Coal and Coke Heritage Center

The center is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Museum visits and archival research are by appointment only. Call 724-430-4160 or email acp47@psu.edu to make an appointment.

Digital Collections

As we clear the path and advocate for more Open Access and online resources during a semester of virtual classrooms, don't forget to peruse the Digital Collections catalog. You may find something that compliments your lesson plan!

Coming Soon

​In the upcoming weeks new services will be made available, and we encourage you to check our website or contact library staff for arrival dates. These services include the ability to reserve study carrels within the library, as well as virtual reference hours.

Visitors

All Pennsylvania residents are eligible to apply for a Resident Borrowers card at any Penn State University Library, with proper ID (PA driver’s license or state ID) with current address. Plus, residents who register online through Penn State’s OneID account service can request items from any Penn State library, view account information, and renew materials online. While visitors will be unable to take advantage of library computers this semester, we encourage all visitors to browse our collection online! Request your books and DVDs (from any campus) online and after you’re notified, they are ready for pickup – use our new contactless pickup!

Textbooks and Reserves

Equipment to Borrow