COVID-19: Library updates & resources
A page within Murphy Library
Murphy Library is open for our regularly scheduled hours. We encourage all of our library patrons to continue seeking help virtually, by phone, or by scheduling appointments ahead of time when possible.
Face coverings are currently not required indoors for all UWL employees, students and guests, regardless of vaccination status. Please follow current campus and public health guidelines. Doing so will help ensure our ability to maintain access to the many resources and services that support campus research and instructional needs.
For all currently available library services and resources, see below. Any questions not addressed on this page can be directed to libraryoffice@uwlax.edu. Please continue to monitor this page for any updates, and we appreciate your patience during this time.
Library Services
Additional Safety Precautions
The following safety measures are currently in place to protect the health and safety of our patrons and library personnel. These include:
- Face coverings are optional when in all campus buildings. Please ask at the Circulation Desk if you need a disposable mask.
- Hand sanitizer has been placed throughout the building.
- Plexiglass shields have been installed at service points.
- Physical library materials will be quarantined for 24 hours after being returned.
- The library will be cleaned frequently by UWL custodians following COVID-19 protocols.
Reference Services
Visit our Reference Services page for the most up to date info on available reference services.
Library guides offer research help curated by librarians and tailored toward various subjects, courses, topics, and research tools & strategies.
Library Instruction
Visit our Library Instruction webpage for the most up to date information on our instruction services.
Request E-books
The library is working to support an online learning environment by making e-book editions available to students and faculty. If you have a request for a particular book title, fill out our Request Library Materials form and we will see if it is available in an e-book format. Although the library cannot purchase every item requested, all requests will be considered.
Contact-Free Pickup Service
This service is not currently available.
Requesting Materials
Resource Sharing - UWL faculty, staff, and students are welcome to resume use of Resource Sharing to borrow materials from other UW libraries.
To request materials from other UW libraries:
- Find the item in Search@UW
- Click the link “Use Get It to Request.”
- Sign in using your NetID.
- Click “UW Request,” verify the information and click the “Request” link.
Please contact cirser@uwlax.edu with any questions.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) of physical materials has resumed. Specific physical items may be unavailable or take longer than usual, but requests for electronic materials (articles, scans, etc.) should be back to normal. You can submit requests via your ILLiad account. Please allow extra time for requests to be filled. You can contact illoffice@uwlax.edu with questions or concerns.
Due Dates & Returning Materials
Due dates for all library materials have returned to normal.
Any fines accrued during the 2020-21 academic year will be waived. Please contact cirser@uwlax.edu with any questions.
Online Resources & Databases
Online resources are available to all students, faculty, and staff from on and off campus with their UWL Net ID, and we encourage all instructors to integrate this content into your courses to supplement instruction.
- Library Guides
- Streaming video
- E-books
- Databases
- Online journals
- Federal and state publications
- Classical music
- Children's book and teacher resources
- Locally digitized resources (local/area history)
See our webpage for information on how to connect to the library’s electronic resources from off campus.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Collection Development Librarian Pam Cipkowski (pcipkowski@uwlax.edu) or E-Resources Librarian Katherine Fish (kfish@uwlax.edu)
Murphy Learning Center
Tutoring sessions are available in person in the Murphy Learning Center and through video via the MLC course inside Canvas.To access the course, follow the link below. You will also need to sign into Canvas.
https://uwlac.instructure.com/enroll/B3HY3G
If you have any questions, please email lbaines@uwlax.edu or visit the Murphy Learning Center webpage for more information.
Special Collections & Area Research Center
Summer hours: May 16 - September 2
Open by appointment only.
In our commitment to public health and safety, we recommend visitors please call (608) 785-8511 or email ahead of your visit to schedule an appointment.
General service updates:
- Continued, limited services via email as possible. Please note that response times may be delayed due to high volume of requests.
- Additional archival resources are available online at: Murphy Library Digital Collections.
- Transfers of archival materials from the Wisconsin Historical Society and other Area Research Centers may take additional time due to COVID-19.
- Please note, SC/ARC is closed on holidays and maintains reduced hours during university break/intersession periods such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, January-term, spring break, and summer.