While services will continue remotely, the NIU Libraries’ facilities will be closed to the public through the end of the spring semester. Access to the physical collections of the libraries will be determined on a case-by-case basis and by appointment only. Please email us at lib-admin@niu.edu and include information regarding your status as a faculty member or student along with the urgency of your request.
Diminishing access to the library, even temporarily, is never a happy decision, but we are grateful that between technology and our expert staff and faculty, we will be available to help with your instruction and research needs through other modes. In other words, the doors may be closed, but the virtual library is very open!
- Our current online collections contain many of the resources you need, and in addition, several vendors have also generously opened access to their fee-based collections during this time. This includes textbooks, e-books, online journals and streaming media. We encourage you to explore what is available and consider using these materials for your learning or instruction.
- If you are unable to locate the material you want, or feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume, please contact your dedicated subject librarian for help locating and using any e-resources.
- Per usual, the “Ask a Librarian” service is available online to students, faculty and other library patrons. To accommodate the evolving needs of remote teaching and learning, we have extended the hours to chat live with a librarian – from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
- We have also created video tutorials as a response to the questions we receive most frequently from our students and faculty.
- Finally, as information or resources change, we will continue to update the library’s webpage and our continuity services page.
All our best for everyone’s health and well-being.
Fred D. Barnhart
Dean of NIU Libraries
