Library Updates

This page contains information about visiting the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, updates to in-person and virtual Library and Academic Commons services, and other useful links. We will continue to update this page. Our current library services and access are meant to protect the health and safety of library visitors and staff. We might have to make changes quickly as circumstances change. Thank you for your understanding.

Visiting the Building:

View the full calendar of Library hours--including the Labor Day holiday-- here.

  • The Library is open to all Fairfield University students, faculty, and staff. Visitors, including alumni and Fairfield residents are also now welcome to use the building. When entering campus as a visitor, be sure to check in at the gate and say that you want to visit the library.
  • Per the Town of Fairfield recommendations, masks are required for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors inside University facilities.
  • The Library Cafe seating area and Innovation Lab are accessible 24 hours daily to those cleared to be on campus by swiping your StagCard on the exterior doors.
  • Elevators have a one or two person limit to maintain social distancing. Signs posted to exterior doors will indicate occupancy.
  • Pick your seat/area to work and sanitize with a wipe before and after use. Please do not move wipe buckets or hand sanitizer dispensers. Desktop computers, printers, scanners, copiers, must also be wiped down before and after use.
  • Use Hand Sanitizer Stations before and after using shared office supplies such as staplers, hole-punch, etc.

What’s Available?

Library Services

  • Borrowing Physical Items: Students, faculty, and staff can borrow items with a StagCard. View borrowing periods here. Additional ways to borrow items:
    • Home Delivery of Physical Items from the Library collection or InterLibrary Loan (ILL) for graduate students and faculty that are 100% remote only and can not make it onto campus to retrieve materials. More information available here.
    • Campus delivery to faculty and staff member's on-campus offices. Make requests through the library catalog by signing in with your NetID and click "Request" within each item record and then select "Work Address" from the Pick-Up Location drop-down. On campus delivery is weather permitting.
    • Returning and Renewing Physical Items: Library materials can be renewed online. Items can be returned to the Library Services & Information Desk or one of the two book drops, located on the exterior side of the Library facing Bannow or the book drop inside the Library lobby. Please contact us at circdesk@fairfield.edu with any questions about your account.
  • Scan & Deliver: Faculty, staff, and students can request book chapters and articles from physical items. Library staff will scan and email pdfs.
  • InterLibrary Loan: InterLibrary Loan (ILL) is a service to request items from other libraries. See the ILL page for the most up to date information.
  • Study Rooms: see Spaces section below.
  • Research Services: Virtual appointments, email, or use the 24/7 chat box to get research or citation help from a librarian. Research Guides and Citation Guides are always available to help you start your research on a wide range of subjects and disciplines. In addition, some classes may have their own library Course Guide. See the Ask a Librarian page for holiday hours
  • Instruction: Most course integrated library instruction will take place virtually at this time. Faculty should contact their Librarian Partner for a consultation. Faculty can also refer to our Continuity Plan and Library Resources for Instructional Continuity wiki.
  • Archives & Special Collections: Will continue to be available for use in the library only. Fairfield University History Online database can be searched remotely. Virtual appointments are also available to meet with the Archivist.
  • Course Reserves and Student Donated Textbook Collection: Available for normal borrowing periods.
  • Off Campus Access to Resources: In most cases, you will need your NetID and password to connect to our online resources while off-campus. Find databases alphabetically or by subject. Many online resources can be found on our Research Guides which provide lists of relevant library resources based on a specific field or discipline.Citation Guides are also available. Need help? Ask a Librarian or check out our Tutorials that walk you through accessing our online resources. For those who experience access issues, please see directions and troubleshooting tips for remote access.
  • Events: Most events will be held virtually. Check the Library Events page for updates.

Academic Commons Services

The following department's hours may differ during the winter intersession. Contact the departments directly or see their webpages for more information

  • The Writing Center: Offering virtual appointments. Sign-in or register for an account. See their website.
  • Math Center: The Math Center is now closed until the Fall 2021 semester. See website for more information. See their website for more information.
  • ITS Help Desk: Open a ticket to get tech help by emailing Itshelpdesk@fairfield.edu, or Schedule an Appointment, or call 203 254 4069. View their hours here
  • Office of Accessibility: Appointment required. Many services may be virtual only. Contact ooa@fairfield.edu
  • Office of Academic Support & Retention: Appointment required. Many services may be virtual only. Contact asr@fairfield.edu
  • Innovation Lab: Workshops will be held virtually. 24/7 study space available. Desktop computers available. Wipe down work station and computers before and after use.
  • Center for Academic Excellence: Faculty resource offering virtual appointments and workshops.

Spaces

  • Study Rooms (all three levels): Rooms have new capacity limits and this information is reflected on the Reserve a Room page and posted on the exterior room doors. Need help booking a room? View our tutorial.
  • Quiet Study Room (lower level rm 115): Lower room capacity posted on exterior doors.
  • Collaboratories (lower level): Drop-in collaborative work spaces. Lower room capacity posted on exterior doors.
  • Graduate Student Study Area (lower level): Furniture has been reconfigured to maintain social distancing.
  • Cafe: Seating, desktop computers, WEPA printer, phone charging station, and restrooms available in this space. Wipe down work station and computers before and after use. Lower room capacity posted on exterior doors. Beverage vending machines available. The Cafe seating area is accessible as a 24 hour study space.
  • CAS Innovation Lab: Seating and desktop computers available. Lower room capacity posted on exterior doors. Will be offering virtual workshops. The Lab is a 24 hour study space.
  • Peer Tutoring Rooms 231 & 231D (main level): Available after 4:30pm Mon.-Fri. and all day Sunday.
  • Multimedia Room (lower level rm 101): Available for faculty and staff to book meetings or events through the University’s room booking system, EMS. The new room capacity is 21.
  • The Writing Center and Math Center: Offering virtual appointments or virtual drop-in hours. See Academic Commons Services section above. These rooms are closed, however student tutors may use these spaces to conduct their virtual tutoring appointments, if approved by their supervisor.
  • Virtual Reality Room (upper level): Space can be reserved as a Group Study Room but virtual reality viewing equipment is not available.

Please note: The library's ability to provide these services is subject to change. Any changes will be updated on this blog post and broadly disseminated to the campus community. If you have questions or concerns please contact us at research@fairfield.edu so we can best answer or direct your inquiry.

For the most up-to-date Fairfield University announcements, please continue to check the Stags Come Home web page.