The uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus has all of us adjusting to new realities and keeping up with rapidly evolving information is challenging for all of us — but we are delighted that Smathers Libraries buildings are open and we welcome new and returning students, faculty and staff! You can check the hours for buildings and departments at https://ufl.libcal.com/hours/ and confirm whether seats are available at http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/status/.
For your safety, the branch libraries will accommodate six-foot distancing by reducing seating to an average of 30% of the pre-COVID-19 capacity. Everyone on campus will wear face coverings when inside a building. A current Gator 1 card is required to enter the Libraries.
UF Facilities employees have taken extra precautions to sanitize the buildings and will continue to clean throughout the day. Hand sanitizer dispensers are in place. Our goal is to keep everyone safe and healthy and we can do this by working together.
The virtual library continues to be 100% open and available. Some staff are on-site in the buildings and all staff are available virtually. All of the Libraries and collections have new and updated web sites and we invite you to visit and explore them. You can find them by using the top blue navigation bar at our home page or the three horizontal hamburger navigation bars on the top right of your small screen (UFLIB) under Libraries & Collections.
The Ask-A-Librarian service and our expert Subject Specialists are available to answer your questions. Using the Contact Us link in the top blue navigation bar will help you access our collections, departments and units and provide links to request help.
Clicking on the orange bar at the top of the Libraries home page – COVID and Library Services — will connect you to a wealth of information, from each library’s current occupancy to FAQ about the changes in library services, including information on in-person visits and virtual services.
As always, we welcome your comments and questions and look forward to hearing from you. Take care, be safe and healthy this spring semester!
George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida