Coronavirus Closure FAQ

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Is Morris Library open?

All of Morris Library's floors are open for use. We continue to offer access to our resources online and online reference services. Though the stacks are now open, Circulation will still retrieve physical materials and provide contactless pickup. Entrance and exit to the library will be through the north gate. The south doors will remain closed through the summer.

Check our current hours before heading over to ensure access.

Campus IT's Computer Learning Centers offer more computers and printers. The Student Center provides further WiFi access and study space.

For Online Assistance:

 

How can I access Morris Library materials?

Library Stacks Access and Retrieval Requests

Morris Library's stacks are open to the public. You can simply visit the library and pull your own items and bring them to the circulation desk to checkout. You can also use the online request process and we will retrieve the books for you, but you will still come to the library circulation desk to pick them up. To place a request, you use our online catalog. Login with your network ID and password. Once you identify the item you want, use the request button under the Get It label as shown below.

a screenshot of the an item record in the library catalog with the request option highlighted

We process requests on this schedule:

Monday-Friday:
  • Requested by 8am – Available by 11am
  • Requested by 11am – Available by 3pm
*Storage items are only retrieved once per day, Monday-Friday. Any request received after 10am will be available the next day.

If we cannot locate the item you requested it will obviously not be available by the anticipated time. Please monitor your email for the notification that the item has been successfully retrieved and is ready for pickup. This schedule is fixed, but if we determine that the item is temporarily missing, we will route requests into I-Share to obtain a copy for you.

Requested items will be pre-checked out to your account; you simply pick them up. They are on a book cart inside the Delyte’s study area (North Entrance) and available all hours the library is open. Items are available for pickup for 2 weeks only. Items not picked up will be removed from your account and returned to the shelves.

You can also request a scan of a chapter from one of our books or of an article from one of our physical journals. Once you have the full citation for the article or chapter you want, submit a request via interlibrary loan.

If you wish to borrow an item that for some reason does not have the request option in the catalog, please email Marissa Ellermann (mellermann@lib.siu.edu) for assistance

For help accessing library resources from off-campus, see our help guide or contact Ask-A-Librarian.

For help with our new catalog and its features, see our FAQ on the topic.       

Courtesy cards for community members are available.

 

 

I have books currently checked out to me from Morris (or another library). I don’t want to come to Morris to return them – how do I avoid any overdue fines?

  • Log in to our online catalog to renew Morris Library or I-Share items.
  • Interlibrary Loan books (with pink band on cover) are borrowed from all over the world so due dates and renewal rules vary. You can request a renewal through your interlibrary loan account, but if the lending library doesn’t approve the renewal, you must return the item to Morris Library.

 

If you are in Carbondale, you may return items to the bookdrops located in the North entrance of the building.

If you are not currently in Carbondale, you can return items a couple of ways. If you are in Illinois, the easiest way to get items back to us would be to return them to your nearest I-Share library. If you don’t know where these libraries are located, you can consult this map.

Students with laptops may not use this option to return their laptop and charger to us. They must be returned in-person or via mail.

If you are out-of-state or not near an I-Share library, you may mail the items back to us. The cheapest option is to ship items to us using the Media Mail rate at the US Post Office. To estimate your cost to ship, you should weigh the box with the books inside and compare it to the post office’s chart on their website.

If you choose to mail items back, you are strongly encouraged to purchase insurance from the post office. The price is very reasonable and borrowers are responsible for the replacement cost of materials lost in transit.

Items coming in from other libraries or returned in the book drop are all quarantined for 5 days, during which their status on your account will not change.

 

What materials are available online?

All of our online journals and articles remain available.

Morris Library also offers access to a large collection of ebooks through its library catalog, with other sources listed at http://libguides.lib.siu.edu/ebooks. This selection includes open access textbooks.

Our streaming video collection includes over 68,000 videos from Alexander Street Press covering history, performing arts, art, architecture, nursing, criminal justice, counseling, education, rehabilitation, sports medicine and exercise science. Videos may be shared with other SIU users by clicking "Cite" and then "Copy Permalink".

 

What does the Morris Library computer lab in Room 139 offer?

The computer lab in room 139 continues to be available for use during the pandemic. We rely on users to self-clean the keyboards, mice, and chairs prior to their use. Tables are cleaned on a daily basis by building services staff.

The computers all have Internet access and are loaded with the following software. Users cannot install additional software.

  • Windows 10
  • MS Office 2019
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
  • Google Chrome Browser
  • IBM SPSS Statistics 25
  • IE Browser
  • Respondus LockDown Browser
  • Microsoft Media Player
  • VLC Media Player
  • Wordpad
  • Notepad
  • Zoom

The computers in Classroom 139 do not have external speakers and users need to bring their own earbuds or headphones to hear audio.

A printer is available for use and is located behind Delyte's, next to the public fax machine.

The machines do have built-in cameras that work with Respondus Lockdown Browser. However, these cameras are NOT compliant with test that require a movable webcam to prove the area is secure.

Campus IT's Computer Learning Center’s hours vary by location. Please review their hours before setting out for one.