McMaster libraries reopening in September 

McMaster University Libraries are preparing to reopen and welcome the McMaster community back for the fall term.

Extensive planning has occurred toward reopening Mills, H.G. Thode and Health Sciences libraries to create a safe and welcoming environment for both users and library staff.

“We have heard from students, in particular, how much they have missed being in our libraries,” said Vivian Lewis, McMaster University Librarian. “Our team has worked tirelessly to reopen our spaces as much as possible for the fall term, based on best practices recommended by public health.”

Based on current provincial guidance, it is expected that there will be no physical distancing required in the libraries, and almost all spaces will be open for use. Masks will be required inside all McMaster buildings, including libraries.

Various aspects of the libraries, such as hours of operation, will be reviewed regularly for possible modification as the fall term progresses.

Opening dates

Mills and Thode libraries, which are currently closed, will reopen for the fall term starting on Sept. 7, 2021.

Innis Library remains closed for renovations, with all materials available in the interim at Mills and online.

The Health Sciences Library will open for the fall term on Sept. 13, 2021.

Opening hours for September 2021

Mills and Thode libraries

Mills and Thode libraries will be open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. and on Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The libraries will be closed on weekends. Hours are expected to increase as the fall term progresses. Visit the library website’s homepage for the most up-to-date hours for Mills and Thode.

Health Sciences Library 

Operating hours for the Health Sciences Library will be reduced, particularly during the evenings and weekends. However, the study space will be assessed, and hours may be extended later in the fall. Information about operating hours will be shared on the Health Sciences Library’s website.

Masking

As mandated by the Province of Ontario, McMaster University will require masks to be worn in all indoor spaces, including libraries.

Access to bookstacks

Mills and Thode libraries

Access to the books collections will reopen for the fall term at Mills and Thode libraries. As a result of the stacks reopening, the HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service must be deactivated. Self-checkout stations will be available, along with staffed desks.

Interlibrary Loan will restart in September. Books requested from non-McMaster libraries can only be picked up in person on campus at this time.

McMaster students, staff and faculty who are not able to come to Hamilton may also choose to have requested books mailed to them. For those students or faculty studying or working outside of Canada that are not eligible for the library’s mail service, e-books will continue to be purchased, wherever possible. Scanning of journal articles and book chapters will also be provided.

Access to course reserves will primarily be provided via eReserves.

Health Sciences Library

General book and journal stacks will be open. Library staff will retrieve books from the historical collection and reserve reading room upon request.

Interlibrary Loan services will continue and, where allowed by copyright, materials will be sent electronically to users’ inboxes. There will be a physical pick-up spot in Health Sciences Library for other items. When necessary, we will mail items to members of the McMaster community  working at the distributed medical campuses.

Study spaces

Mills and Thode libraries

Study spaces will be open at full capacity on a first-come, first-served basis. No food or drink is allowed at this time. There will be no need to book study spaces, with the exception of group study rooms, which have always been booked through a standard booking system.

Health Sciences Library 

Study spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. No food or drink is allowed at this time. Initially, the Health Sciences Library’s group study rooms will remain closed, but when they reopen, the booking process will be posted on the library’s website. Students are welcome to attend online classes in the library but are asked to choose the appropriate space to respect quiet study areas.

Some other library spaces will also remain closed, including the reserve reading room and the History of Health and Medicine Room. Research appointments in the archives are available by emailing the Health Sciences Library.

Services at Mills and Thode libraries

Graduate students

McMaster University Library will continue to support graduate students online through the graduate studies librarian. The graduate study room on the fourth floor of Mills Library will be reopening for September.

Research collections

Access to the William Ready Division of Archives and Resource Collections will be available by appointment only for the fall term. To learn more or make an appointment, visit the William Ready Division of Archives and Resource Collections website.

Lyons New Media Centre & Thode Makerspace

The main area of the Lyons New Media Centre will be open, allowing access to its high-end computers with media software such as Adobe Creative Cloud. The 3D printing service will resume on Sept. 7. The sound booths and edit suites in Lyons will be unavailable at the start of the fall term. Lyons staff will be available to assist students looking to access the centre’s services online. To learn more and to connect with staff, visit the Lyons webpage.

Access to the Thode Makerspace and its equipment will be unavailable for the fall term. Information and updates about the Makerspace can be found on the webpage.

Lewis & Ruth Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship

All services for the Lewis & Ruth Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship will continue to be delivered online. Learn more on the Sherman Centre’s webpage.

Other services

Many other library services, such as McMaster Experts; Maps, Data, GIS Centre and Research Data Management Services will also continue to be offered online.

Campus Classroom Technologies

Campus Classroom Technologies technicians will continue to be on campus to support the technology in the large number of registrar-controlled classrooms. Learn more about the Campus Classroom Technology’s services.

Services at Health Sciences Library

All library services will continue, with some modifications.

Research and reference help will be online, with drop-in virtual hours and the ability to make appointments. Please visit the Health Sciences Library Research Consultations website or send an email for more information about the research consultations.

Librarians will continue to support learners in the classroom, as needed. Individual instructors should work with the library to determine if they need in-person or online library sessions. Pre-recorded sessions are also an option. Connect with Health Sciences Library staff via email.

More information

For more information on Mills, Thode and Innis libraries, visit the McMaster University Library’s website.

To learn more about the Health Sciences Library, visit the Health Sciences Library About Us webpage.