Library COVID Re-opening and Procedures

All plans subject to change based on prevailing health restrictions. 

Thank you for your patience...running a library during a pandemic is new territory for us and we're working hard to keep both scholars and staff safe, as well as taking proper care of our library materials. 

OVERVIEW 

Currently, the library is taking research appointments for funded scholars. Researchers from the general public are being placed on a waiting list. We have not yet determined a date for expanding our public services, so please continue to check our website for updates.

Scheduling Appointments for Research

Scheduling is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and must be done at least one week in advance. Scheduling is limited to one week per visit. However, you can schedule for non-consecutive weeks. 

Contact us to schedule your visit at askhagley@hagley.org. Please provide up to three options on dates you wish to do research. Reference staff will check seat availability and negotiate the scheduling based upon your preferences. 

Be sure to provide us with a list of the resources you wish to use prior to your scheduled appointment, as well! 

Health and Safety Precautions

Masks are required in all Hagley buildings at all times. We have disposable masks available for researchers, if needed. Please keep a distance of 6 feet from other researchers and staff at all times.   

We ask all researchers to wash their hands with soap and water before handling collection materials. The chemicals and moisturizers in hand sanitizer can be harmful to documents, so we ask researchers not to use such products. We have a dedicated handwashing station available in our reference area.  

An online chat platform will be made available for researchers to interact with library staff while on-site. Instructions will be provided in the reading room.  

Researchers are required to bring all of their own equipment for reading room use. There will not be any public scanning or photocopying equipment available to you on-site. You must bring your own pencils, paper, computer, camera, scanner, or other equipment deemed necessary.   

Researchers will need to bring their own lunches. The Hagley lunch delivery service has been suspended. You are welcome to eat just outside of our building (weather permitting) or in one of the Soda House galleries (space permitting) when you are here. Reference staff will point these areas out to you upon request.   

If you feel ill prior to your visit, please reschedule. If you feel ill during your visit, please let our staff know and please do not come into the archives. Our reference staff will not be taking temperatures or doing health monitoring so we ask you to use your best judgment with this. If a researcher comes in who is obviously unwell, they will be asked to leave.  
   
We will do our best to assist you. Thank you for your cooperation, and please be patient with us during your visit. 

If you have any questions, please contact us at AskHagley@hagley.org