Together, We are Stronger: The Libraries are Here to Help

Dear Badgers, 

You are starting a journey that you will remember forever. We know this wasn’t the way you planned on finishing your semester, and perhaps even your time in Madison, but remember: We are in this together, even if we are miles apart. We, along with the entire UW-Madison community, are hard at work to ensure that you have what you need to finish this semester successfully. 

 The Libraries are used to seeing you fill our spaces – nothing brings us more joy! But even though our physical spaces are closed, we are still here to help you access our services online. After all, creating solutions that allow you to access information is what we do – even under the most challenging circumstances.

Here’s some of the top information you’ll want to know as you transition to remote coursework:

First – Where can you find information on what the Libraries are doing in response to the COVID-19 outbreak?

• The Libraries have created library.wisc.edu/covid19/ and will be updating daily with information to help you know how to access our services, resources, and materials. Bookmark this site. It’s important. We have everything from information about the Libraries’ support for instruction continuity to in-depth information about our remote services and research resources. 
• Check our social media feeds (@UWMadLibraries on Twitter and @UWMadLibraries on Facebook) for daily updates.
• Check the Libraries News page for additional information and updates. 

Second – Our Ask a Librarian service expanded its hours to help you navigate this new normal. 

• Sunday – Thursday 9 am – 11 pm
• Friday – Saturday 9 am – 6 pm
• Patrons can text a librarian at 608-729-7886

Third – If you need a laptop to ensure you can complete your work, we can help. 

• Laptop are available for pickup from 12 pm-4 pm on weekdays at the Memorial Library entrance on State Street.

Fourth – Loan periods have been extended. 

• More information – available on our COVID-19 library site. Book return is being discouraged to minimize visits to campus. However, if a patron feels they must return an item, it should be brought to Memorial Library.

Other key information:

• Online and remote support for instruction and research will continue to be available.
• We will move toward the digital delivery of requested materials as much as possible.
• What is the best way for students (working remotely, off-campus) to access our online journal subscriptions?
  • If you use Google Scholar from the libraries site, then you’ll be asked to log in with a netID, and you’ll have access to the online content we’ve subscribed to.
  • From the Libraries Website, https://www.library.wisc.edu
  • Click “Catalog” in the upper left portion of the page and select “Databases.”
  • Under the search box on the next page, click “Top 10 Databases”
  • Google Scholar will be on the list of databases.
• Tips and tricks: https://www.library.wisc.edu/help/research-tips-tricks/
• How to search if you know the journal you want: https://www.library.wisc.edu/help/research-tips-tricks/finding-a-specific-journal/
• How to search if you have a specific article in mind: https://www.library.wisc.edu/help/research-tips-tricks/finding-a-specific-article/

The Libraries will continue to support our community in every way possible during this time. We acknowledge this is a remarkable moment in time – things are going to be different, we will experience challenges, but together, we are stronger.