Post-Finals & Winter Intersession Libraries Operations

December 14, 2020

As UW-Madison prepares to complete finals week and head into the winter intersession period, the Libraries continue to share information about our operation plans through January 24th. 

The Libraries will make significant adjustments to hours and services from December 19-January 24, with some wide-scale closures during certain periods. We encourage you to plan ahead as there may be some delays or changes in our processes during this period. Please visit the Library Locations page for up-to-date information on onsite availability and Library COVID-19 Dashboard for additional information.

Here’s what you need to know about Winter Intersession

Things to note: 

  • Due to some closures, processing requests may be delayed depending on the library
  • Delivery among libraries may slow during the holiday season impacting physical requests
  • Document Delivery may be impacted due to staffing during the holiday season

Reduced / Altered Hours:

December 19-20

  • Ask a Librarian – No service
  • All locations – Closed

Monday December 21 – Wednesday December 23

  • Ask a Librarian – 9am – 5pm
  • Locations – Limited onsite / appointment availability at Memorial Library: only Pickup by Appointment, In-Person Collection Access, laptop checkout, and equipment return.

Thursday December 24 – Sunday January 3

  • Ask a Librarian – No service
  • All locations – Closed

Monday January 4 – Sunday January 24

  • Ask a Librarian – M-F (9am-5pm) / Sat-Sun – No service
  • Locations – Limited onsite / appointment availability at Memorial and Steenbock Libraries
  • All locations and services closed on Monday January 18

In-person Collections Access: 

  • AMP – By request (M-F)
  • Art – 1pm – 4pm (T-R)
  • Business – Finance and Analytics Lab only – 1pm – 4pm (M-F)
  • Gender & Women’s Studies – 9am – 4pm (W)
  • Geology  – By request (M-F)
  • Memorial – 9am – noon, 1 – 5pm (M-F)
  • Music – 1pm – 5pm (T-R)
  • Social Work – By request (M-F)
  • Special Collections – 1pm – 4pm (T-R)
  • Steenbock – 1pm – 4 pm (T-R)
  • UW Archives – 1pm – 4pm (T-R)

Other Locations:

  • Ebling – 9am – 5pm (M-F) / Closed (Sat-Sun)
  • Law (Law Faculty and Students Only) – 8:30am – 6pm (M-F) / 1pm-5pm (Sat) / Closed (Sun)
  • MERIT – Closed
  • WHS Archives – Not open until at least 1/19
  • WHS Library – Not open until at least 1/19 (but materials are available through Pickup by Appointment)

General Information

Library Access – By Appointment Only 

We continue our support for the campus research by offering our Library by Appointment services. Faculty, staff, and students must make appointments to enter a library to take advantage of the following services:

Things to Know About Your Visit

  • Facial coverings are required while inside our facilities
  • No food or drinks
  • You must have a Wiscard 
  • Hours, services, and availability have changed due to the COVID-19 response
  • Learn more at: library.wisc.edu/covid19

Space Protocols

To accommodate physical distancing requirements, there is a reduction in furniture and study spaces. To ensure there is equal opportunity to access space, we will allow appointments to be made for study space with a limit of one (1) appointment per day per individual.

Our Library by Appointment system will serve as the way the Libraries continue to operate next semester, with more specific information to be shared later in January. The Libraries will also continue our Pickup service to provide access to a greater number of materials from our various locations. 

The health and safety of our campus community are our priority as we continue to find solutions for ongoing library operations that support the continuation of instruction and research.