Library Construction Update

The library is constantly working to improve the user experience for patrons. We’ve learned that many students prefer to study where there is natural light. After looking at all the options, from moving stacks to digging window wells for the lower levels (that’s not going to happen), we found the most effective change we could make was relocating library offices and work rooms away from the windows on level 3. This process took several years. First we relocated our circulation services into the center of level 3.  We also consolidated our Library Information Technology (L.I.T.) team into one space on level 2. We then unified and relocated our conservation lab and book repair studio and moved them into the space formerly used by L.I.T.

Right now the plastic lining the hall on level 3 is protecting everyone from the construction going on as we prepare to open a large study area filled with natural light next fall.

The construction teams do their best to work on noisy jobs early in the morning or other times when there are fewer people in the building.

If you are interested other library changes you can visit the south end of level 2 of the library, near the Science/Technology area, where new lighting and glass panel group study rooms have been installed.

Scholarly Communications Workshops

Sign up now for the popular Scholarly Communications Workshops.

https://byu.libcal.com/calendar/scholcomm

Faculty and graduate students will find tools to boost their visibility, transform their data, and more.

Finish Strong: Keep Wearing Those Masks

The University recently posted good news about a new vaccination site.

They also reiterated the need to continue wearing masks.

All campus protocols, including using the Healthy Together app and wearing masks, remain in place, even for students, faculty and staff who are vaccinated.

— BYU (@BYU) March 18, 2021

If you are studying in the library we want you, and our staff, to be safe.

Please help out by wearing your mask.

We installed a few reminder signs on level 5 today.

We hope you notice them.

Data Management Workshop

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to this popular workshop on managing your data.

There will be sessions on Data Management Fundamentals, Safeguarding Your Data, Starting Your Data and Research, and Understanding Publishing.

Register here: https://byu.libcal.com/calendar/scholcomm?cid=11996&t=d&d=0000-00-00&cal=11996&inc=0

Celebrating Douglass Day 2021

The BYU Library is joining the national celebration of Douglass Day.

Zoom: 947 9162 9699

Passcode: 425283

“About the history of Douglass Day

Douglass Day was one of the original inspirations for Black History Month, and was revived starting in 2017 by the Colored Conventions Project. Learn a bit about the history of Douglass Days, past and present (plus a new mini-documentary).

Douglass Day is made possible by a large number of partners, models, and supporters. Past and present supporters include:

The Center for Black Digital Research at Penn State, the Colored Conventions Project, the Anna Julia Cooper Digital Project, the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University, the Princeton University Center for Digital Humanities, the PSU Libraries, the PSU Center for Humanities and Information, and the PSU College of Liberal Arts, the American Studies Association for a Community Partnership Grant, and Zooniverse.

The transcribe-a-thon this year is powered by By the People from the Library of Congress.” douglassday.org

Plan to attend on February 12 from 10 am  to noon.

You can help out by transcribing historic documents.

Improving Special Collections

The L. Tom Perry Special Collections is pleased to announce that it has implemented Aeon. Aeon is an automated request and workflow management software specifically designed to improve patron service and to maximize staff efficiency.

The Aeon system will handle request management for the department and all patrons of Special Collections will need to create a user account at https://byu.aeon.atlas-sys.com/logon. This user account will allow you to submit requests to use materials in the Special Collections Reading Room and it will keep a history of the materials that you’ve requested for future reference.

The new request system will be available on Monday January 11^th, 2021. You will be able to create a user account beginning on this date and will use the new system to request materials. All materials used in Special Collections will need to be requested through the new Aeon system. You will find links to Aeon in the library catalog (https://lib.byu.edu/) and through our finding aids website (http://archives.lib.byu.edu/).

We hope that the new systems we are implementing will enhance your Special Collections experience. Let us know if you have any questions at specialcollections@byu.edu or 801-422-3175.

The Reading Room is now Closed

Due to lack of compliance with the university’s mask policy the reading room/periodicals section of level 2 has been closed for the remainder of the year.

This change was implemented for the safety of library patrons and staff.

Plans are in place to close other areas of the building if it becomes necessary.

The Library encourages everyone to follow the campus-wide policy and wear a mask.

Building Update

Due to COVID-19 the library is limiting access to current BYU students and employees only.

The library is renovating sections of the library to improve usability for our patrons.

Level 5 (Humanities)

No construction at this time.

This floor is a temporary “Zoom Zone” for students who need a place to attend online classes, so it may be a little noisier than usual.

Level 4 (Music & Dance, Media Center, Juvenile Collection)

No construction at this time.

This floor is a temporary “Zoom Zone” for students who need a place to attend online classes, so it may be a little noisier than usual.

Level 3 (Circulation Desk, Snack Zone, The Hub)

This area will be very noisy for the next few days.

We are removing the north wall and installing new windows to provide more natural light in the building. This project was initiated in response to patron input.

If you need access to computer stations in a quieter setting we recommend you use the computers in the Periodicals/Reading Room on level 2.

Level 2 (Science/Technology, Family History, Periodicals/Reading Room)

We are in the process of improving sight-lines and traffic flow in the central and south parts of the building. The south end of the building will be noisy as we install the new ceiling.

The group study rooms are open during construction.

If you are looking for a quiet study area we recommend the Periodicals/Reading Room on level 2 or the Social Sciences area on level 1 of the library.

Level 1 (Social Sciences, Special Collections)

We are renovating a work room in the area between the atrium and the central part of the building. The concrete cutting is finished, but there may still be noise and or tripping hazards in the area as a new door is installed.

For quiet study we recommend the Social Sciences area on level 1.

Just in Time for Halloween, an Exhibition Connecting Monsters and Candy

While the Library is only open to current BYU students and employees, we are happy to announce our new exhibition—Discovery & Wonder: The Harry F. Bruning Collection of Japanese Rare Books and Manuscripts.

This is one of the most interesting collections in the L. Tom Perry Special Collections.

Jack Stoneman, Associate Professor, Japanese Section Head, Asian & Near Eastern Languages, and Aaron Skabelund, Associate Professor in the Department of History, worked with Maggie Kopp, Curator of Rare Books, to tell the story of how the Bruning collection was built and how it came to BYU.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we can’t invite the public to the exhibit at this time. That said, everyone can view one of the most interesting items in the exhibit online at https://bakemono.lib.byu.edu/. This site tells the story of our “monster scroll.”

If you are a current student on campus or a BYU employee, you can see the exhibition in person by visiting Special Collections on level 1 of the library. The Library, following university policy, requires you to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

When you visit, look for the candy connection to the exhibit materials and Japan.