Message from the Chair of the Libraries Committee
As you will be aware the University Library and Faculty Library buildings closed from 5pm on Wednesday 18th March. The College Library building here at Magdalene has remained open to students throughout this week to enable those in College to find and borrow books.
We shall continue to stay open until noon on Friday 20th March, but after this time it has been decided that the Library building will be closed for the foreseeable future to Fellows and to Students. Access for reading and for borrowing will not be possible.
The building itself will be closed. But be assured that we shall endeavour to provide as much remote support to you as is possible given the restricted circumstances and staff availability.
1. Library staff will be monitoring and responding to your queries during normal staff hours, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Please contact us on library@magd.cam.ac.uk for advice and support when you need it.
2. We shall continue to update our blog with new information and keep you aware of available resources and support.
3. We shall be working with the University Library and Faculty Library to help ensure that we are providing joined up support for access to online and digital resources.
4. There are many books already available to you as eBooks and more have recently been made available in response to the Coronavirus situation please read:
https://libguides.cam.ac.uk/cambridgeebooks
and contact ebooks@Cambridge if you need to request others.
5. Many journals and databases (http://libguides.cam.ac.uk/az.php) are also available online,
please see:
https://www.libraries.cam.ac.uk/eresources
6. Information is constantly changing, so please check your emails for further updates. You might also wish to read the FAQ that Cambridge University Libraries has put together:
https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/news/coronavirus-faqs
7. As for books you already have on loan please do not be concerned. All books currently on loan will auto-renew through the vacation and Easter term. A further message will be circulated about how to drop off books over the vacation should you wish to return them.
8. This link might be of use to those Fellows, students and staff working remotely.
https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/research/librarysearch/access-library-services-students-and-staff-studying-and-working-remotely
Finally, may I add my enormous thanks to Mr Tom Sykes, Miss Catherine Sutherland and Ms Ellie Swire for the imaginative and thoughtful work they have done, and continue to do, in order to assist all those of us who need resources in the College Library and the Historic Collections at what is a very challenging time.
With best wishes to all
Jane Hughes 19.iii.20