Maryville College implements new library hours and regulations for the fall semester

With the constantly changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and Maryville College trying to follow the best measures to ensure the safety of students and staff, many buildings on campus are experiencing a change in hours of operation. This includes the Lamar Alexander Memorial Library on campus.

The library staff worked through the summer to plan ways to support their mission, as well as support students in a way that is different from what they are used to but still beneficial and upholds the library’s mission statement, and the mission statement of Maryville College.

Library spaces are open from Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is open on Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For this semester, students can count on librarians and library services and information to be available through the virtual library at library.maryvillecollege.edu. 

The number of students allowed in the library has also changed due to COVID-19. The number usually varies by the COVID-19 response phases, but, according to the FAQ section of the library’s website, no more than 50 people are allowed at once in any phase. 

To enter the library, students are asked to use the south porch doors closest to the parking lot. Students must stand on the orange marks to check in for a study session or on the blue marks if they have a question or are picking up books. If there is no one waiting, students can enter and check in at the service desk. 

To enter the library at all, students will need their Maryville College I.D. and a face mask. The I.D. will be scanned when entering and leaving the library. Masks must be worn at all times inside and when entering the facility.

Students are allowed to study in the library with restrictions. Study sessions are allowed in 90-minute session blocks, and in order to maintain six feet for social distancing, study groups are not allowed inside the library. Students are allowed one “accountability partner” and both students must sit at opposite ends of a six-foot study table. Students are asked to leave directly after each study session to allow for cleaning and sanitizing of library spaces which occurs every two hours. 

A concern for students is printer location. The library in Thaw Hall only has one printer, but other printers can be found in Bartlett Hall’s sitting room and in Anderson Hall’s student lounge on the second floor. Additional printing is also available in Sutton Science Center and Cooper Athletic Center, and the Music Library in the Clayton Center for the Arts.