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.

COVID Update for Fall 2020

Limited Access

Due to health concerns the Library is limiting access to university employees and students only. You may be asked to show your BYU I.D. when entering the Library.

The Library is following the university’s COVID policies including requiring people to wear face coverings (masks), wash hands, and maintain physical distance.

You can learn more about BYU’s COVID plans here https://www.byu.edu/coronavirus/.

Online Research Help For Students

Students engaging in research are encouraged to contact subject librarians via their Research Guides. The guides provide e-mail and appointment links. We also offer Chat with a librarian.

The majority of materials students will need including our databases, electronic journals, streaming services, and eBooks are available through our website, lib.byu.edu.

Do You Have Questions?

You can chat with librarians from home via https://lib.byu.edu/chat/?url=https://lib.byu.edu/

These specialized Help Desks are available online to answer questions. Click on the area you are interested in.

Level 5 Humanities

Level 4 Music & Dance

Level 2 Science

Level 2 Religion & Family History

Level 1 Social Sciences

Events

All library events for fall semester have been cancelled or moved to virtual formats. This includes lectures, music, films, workshops, and conferences.

Preventative Efforts

The library building care staff have adjusted their routine to include regular cleaning of door handles and frequently-touched surfaces.

Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are available at numerous locations throughout the building.

We have removed some furniture to encourage individual study and are asking patrons not to study in large groups. Guides to social distancing have been posted in all of the study areas and we are asking patrons to leave chairs where they found them.

We have reduced our in-house staffing by having employees work off-site where possible. Check our Research Guides for your librarian’s contact information or use the chat system.

We encourage patrons to use online resources first. If a visit to the library building is necessary, we ask everyone to wear a face covering, practice social distancing, avoid touching staff, respect the plexiglass panels during interactions with staff, and use hand sanitizer and/or wash hands frequently. Please visit the university’s Covid-19 information page for the latest on the university’s response.

Rick Anderson named University Librarian at BYU

Brigham Young University Academic Vice President Shane Reese has announced the appointment of Rick Anderson as university librarian at the Harold B. Lee Library. He succeeds Brian Rennick who has been interim university librarian since December 2019 following the passing of university librarian Jennifer Paustenbaugh in November.

The appointment will be effective September 1.

Anderson has been serving as associate dean for Collections & Scholarly Communication in the J. Willard Marriott Library at the University of Utah.

“Rick’s wealth of experience in libraries at other universities will prove a blessing to our students as he leads the library into the next phase of its development,” Reese said.

Anderson has worked previously as a bibliographer for YBP, Inc., as Head Acquisitions Librarian for the University of North Carolina, Greensboro and as Director of Resource Acquisition at the University of Nevada, Reno. He also serves as an unpaid advisor on the library boards of numerous publishers and organizations including biorXiv, Elsevier, JSTOR and Oxford University Press.

Anderson received his bachelor’s degree in family science and his master’s degree in library and information science from BYU.

By Natalie Ipson,

Harold B. Lee Library COVID-19 Update Friday, July 10

Limited Access

Due to health concerns the library is limiting access to university employees and students. You may be asked to show your BYU I.D. when entering the library.

Shifting to Virtual Services

Effective Friday, March 27, the library building will remain open during regular hours, but all service points will be closed and patrons will be referred to virtual platforms such as chat and email. The library hopes to eliminate, as much as possible, employees’ physical interactions with patrons.

Patrons will still be able to check out many of our physical items using the self-checkout machines and we will provide a phone number they can call for help if needed. We will continue to retrieve books requested through the online holds system. Patrons will be able to pick up their materials at the help desk on level 3. Patrons will then need to utilize the self-checkout machine before taking items from the building.

The level 3 help desk is also answering questions via Zoom. There will be no face-to-face help, but patrons can talk to library staff via the computer at the desk.

Do You Have Questions?

You can chat with librarians from home via https://lib.byu.edu/chat/?url=https://lib.byu.edu/

The specialized Help Desks are also available online to answer questions. Click on the area you are interested in.

Level 5 Humanities

Level 4 Music & Dance

Level 2 Science

Level 2 Religion & Family History

Level 1 Social Sciences

Hours

The library is open reduced hours, 7:45 am until 8:00 pm, Monday through Saturday.

This is subject to change.

We recommend checking the library hours page when planning a visit.

The library will be closed on Sundays until further notice.

All Help Desks, with the exception of the Main Help Desk on level 3, are closed.

The Main Help Desk will continue to operate using a Zoom system. There is no face-to-face help available.

Entrance

When necessary the library may close the south doors. We suggest patrons plan on using the library’s main entrance on the north side of the building (the glass atrium).

Help For Students

Students struggling with research are encouraged to contact subject librarians via their Research Guides. We also offer Chat with a librarian.

Limited Services

The L. Tom Perry Special Collections are accessible by appointment only, https://byu.libcal.com/booking/SC_Table_Reservations. Materials must be requested 24 hours prior to appointment. All patrons must wear masks in Special Collections and we will be observing social distancing protocols.

The Family Friendly Study Room is closed until further notice.

The Education in Zion Gallery in the JFSB has closed until further notice.

The RWC (Research and Writing Center) consultation space is closed to the public but services will continue to be provided online at rwc.byu.edu.

The library Group Study Rooms (GSRs) have been converted into “Media Studios” for instructors who need a space to teach online. Training for faculty and instructors who wish to use Zoom is available online or by contacting the Patron Service Department.

Faculty Delivery Services have changed. Due to the number of departments on campus that have closed we will no longer be able to deliver books to faculty. Books can still be requested and picked up in person at the Central Help Desk on level 3.

The library has multiple restrooms on each level. We are closing some restrooms on levels 1, 2, 4, and 5 to free up our building care team to sanitize more high-traffic areas. The small restrooms in the southwest corner of level 3 will also be closed.

Our support of the Federal Depository Library Program has been disrupted due to our closure of library service points. We will be unable to page government documents during the COVID-19 event.

Due Dates

The library is happy to adjust the due dates for your checked out items. Please call 801-422-6061 or email library@byu.edu.

Multimedia and Technology

The library’s “Experiential Lab” (formerly the Media Center), on level 4 is open from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. The sound and production studios are open.  Equipment is available for checkout with priority given to faculty.

Software training classes have moved online and are available using Zoom. The iMacs from level 4 are being repurposed and relocated for instructors who need devices to teach online.

Remote Resources

The library’s online resources are available. BYU faculty, students, and staff can log in remotely for access to almost all of our resources. (Our team is looking into the few digital resources that are only accessible in our building.) Our databases, electronic journals, streaming services, and eBooks are available through our website, lib.byu.edu. We recommend that faculty and students visit the Research Guides for the topics related to their courses.

Events

All library events for the semester have been cancelled. This includes lectures, music, films, workshops, and conferences. We are discouraging large groups from visiting the First Vision and other exhibitions in the library. We have created an online version of the First Vision exhibition for people to enjoy before conference week. Click here to see it.

Preventative Efforts

The library custodial staff has adjusted their routine to include more cleaning of door handles and frequently-touched surfaces. Hand sanitizer should be available at numerous locations throughout the building.

We are relocating sections of furniture to encourage individual study and asking patrons not to study in large groups. Guides to social distancing have been posted in all of the study areas and we are checking to make sure chairs are not being moved by patrons.

We have reduced our in-house staffing by having employees work off-site where possible. Check our Research Guides for your librarian’s contact information or use the chat system.

We encourage patrons to use online resources first. If a visit to the library building is necessary, we ask everyone to practice social distancing, avoid touching staff, and use hand sanitizer and/or wash hands frequently. Please visit the university’s Covid-19 information page for the latest on the university’s response.

The Library Will Remain Open

With the changes to campus in response to the COVID-19 virus people are curious about the state of the library.

At this time the library will remain open. We will offer limited services, not unlike a semester break or holiday. One notable exception is that the Family History Library will be closed. The Sunday opening planned for this weekend has been canceled.

The L. Tom Perry Special Collections may operate with reduced hours.

The library’s group study rooms will be repurposed to provide faculty with the technology to conduct online courses.

We’ll share more details as we settle in to the new situation.

We encourage everyone visiting the library to wash their hands and keep an appropriate distance from others where possible.

We also want to remind people that our online resources are available 24 hours a day through our website, lib.byu.edu.

The Experiential Studio Faculty Open House Has Been Postponed

Update:

The planned open house for the new Experiential Studio has been postponed due to health concerns.

The Experiential Studio web site, https://guides.lib.byu.edu/cid, is available for faculty who are interested.

The Harold B. Lee Library’s new Experiential Studio will hold an open house on Friday, March 27, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.

Located on level 4 of the library, the space, formally known as the Creativity, Innovation, and Design Studio (or more informally as the CID Studio) has been completely remodeled into an interdisciplinary design center where students, faculty, and librarians from multiple colleges and departments can work together on solving compelling social problems.

Faculty are invited to visit the studio where they can experience the spaces as well as learn about the technology and services that are available.

After visiting the studio, faculty are invited to submit applications to utilize the space via the Experiential Studio web site, https://guides.lib.byu.edu/cid.