**PLEASE NOTE: This post is out of date. Please go to https://library.illinoisstate.edu/covid-19/ for the most up to date information on the Milner’s ongoing COVID-19 response. **
Last updated: July 28, 2020
As part of Illinois State University’s coronavirus (COVID-19) response, Milner Library’s physical building remains closed until further notice.
Curbside Pickup & On Campus Delivery Available
Milner Library is currently offering curbside pickup as well as on campus deliveries via campus mail. These options are available for any item that would normally be checked out from our Circulation Desk, with the exception of Course Reserve materials and three hour media equipment.
To request items:
- Find the item(s) you wish to check out via our online catalog. Once in the catalog record, under the Get It section select sign in and sign in using ISU Central Login credentials. If not affiliated with the University, choose Courtesy Card Login. If you need help requesting items, please contact our Virtual Reference Desk for assistance.
- Once logged into system, select Request. Then under Pick Up Location select Milner Library for curbside pickup or Work Address under Personal Delivery to receive items via campus mail. Once all other information in the form is filled out, click on Send Request to submit.
- All curbside pickups must be scheduled in advance. Once your email is received and processed, Access Services will respond via email to schedule your pick up time and share additional instructions for contactless pickup.
- If you miss your scheduled time, please reply to your confirmation email to schedule a new pick up time.
Even though the CDC states that the risk of COVID-19 transmission through porous surfaces like paper and cardboard is extremely low, to be extra cautious all items returned to the library go through a quarantine period before they are able to be checked out again Ways to help us keep items safe for yourself and others include washing your hands before reading, do not handle items if you feel unwell, and please leave the book cleaning to our professionals.
Reference Assistance
Research assistance remains available via our Virtual Reference Desk. Milner librarians remain available six days a week to help virtually by:
- Texting (309) 807-9442,
- Via email,
- Chat when the Chat with Us button is green on the library’s website,
- and/or by contacting a Subject Librarianto schedule a research consult via Zoom and/or email.
Summer Virtual Reference Desk hours are:
- Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.
Research assistance is available to anyone regardless of University affiliation.
Due Dates and Fees
Anyone with checked out items can return them to book drop boxes located at the front of the building facing the plaza as well as in the small lot behind the library on the building’s east side. Due dates will continue to be extended until the start of the fall semester. Any fines attached to items that go into overdue or lost status after March 7 will be forgiven once the item is returned. Additionally, items can be renewed online from the Library Accounts option under Quicklinks on Milner Library’s home page (video explanation available).
Special Collections & University Archives
Special Collections and JoAnn Rayfield University Archives are open to patrons by appointment only. Please contact Archives staff by emailing Archives@IllinoisState.edu and Special Collections staff at MilnerSPC@IllinoisState.edu for assistance accessing items in their collections. The ISU branch of the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) remains closed to the public, but is available by phone and/or email.
Resource Availability
As more libraries resume services, Illinois Library Delivery Service, I-Share, and Interlibrary Loan have resumed in limited capacity. Anyone who receives notices to return I-share or Illinois State University items can return them at any time to our external book drops located outside of the main entrance and in the small lot behind the library. Items can also be renewed online from the Library Accounts option under Quicklinks on Milner Library’s home page (video explanation available). Patrons with any questions should contact our librarians for research assistance.
Electronic Book and Textbook Availability
Many publishers have worked to allow expanded free e-book and e-textbook access for students, faculty, and staff of colleges and universities. Please see our COVID-19 Free e-Resource and e-Textbook Guide for more information. Please note that books from these sources will not show up when searching the Milner Library catalog. Individuals will need to go through each company to see if books they want to access are available.
Library Electronic Resources
Students, faculty, and staff are still encouraged to take advantage of Milner’s electronic resources that are available 24/7 such as Guides, electronic databases, the institutional repository ISU ReD, Kanopy streaming video service, digitized collections, and more. Additional resources from the University include Redbirds Keep Teaching, Redbirds Keep Learning, and Redbirds Keep Researching. Please see our COVID-19 Free e-Resource and e-Textbook Guide for more information on expanded e-book options due to COVID-19 available from various publishers.
Federal Depository Access
During the building closure, physical items in our Federal depository library collection are unavailable at this time. For government information assistance, please contact the Government Documents Librarian Angela Bonnell at abonne@IllinoisState.edu or call (309) 438-2354. Access to online Government information remains available for everyone at https://guides.library.illinoisstate.edu/govdocs.
For the most up-to-date information on the University’s response, visit Coronavirus.IllinoisState.edu and the Coronavirus FAQ page. Updates and additional information will be posted to this story, the library’s website, and on social media as they become available
