News

We are really looking forward to welcoming you back to the Dal Libraries spaces, some of which have been closed since March due to COVID-19.

While you’ll still get many of the services and supports you expect from a research library system, there are a number of changes we want to tell you about. 

The health and safety of all Dalhousie students, faculty and staff is our top priority. We’ve worked closely with the University’s Return to Campus Committee to establish the process of opening our spaces. 

Currently, the Killam Library and the Wallace McCain and Kellogg Library learning commons are open by appointment. On September 8, the MacRae and Sexton libraries will open and by September 14, all of the Dalhousie Libraries spaces will be open again by appointment.

Here’s what you can expect as each of our spaces open in the coming weeks in the Dal Libraries:

Spaces

·         The MacRae Library will re-open on September 8^th. To start off the term we will be open from 9:00 – 6:00, Monday – Thursday and 9:00 – 5:00 on Fridays. The Library will be closed on weekends.

·         All the Halifax libraries will also be operating on a schedule of reduced hours.

·         In accordance with Nova Scotia public health guidelines, everyone entering Dal Libraries’ spaces will be required to wear a non-medical mask. Masks can be removed while eating. 

·         Food and drink will be permitted, but the microwave ovens have been removed as a health and safety precaution. 

·         Access to library spaces will be limited to current Dalhousie students, staff and faculty. 

·         Buildings will be locked. Library staff will meet you at the door to check you in using your Dal Card for appointments to study, use a computer, or print.

·         You will be required to book an appointment to use a study space or computer.  Please contact us at macrae.library@dal.ca to book an appointment at the MacRae Library.

·         The number of people in library spaces at one time will be limited.

·         Physical distancing is required at all times. 

·         Every second chair at computer work stations and some of the chairs in study rooms and other library spaces have been removed to support physical distancing. 

·         Depending on the space, access may be limited to certain floors and spaces.

·         Physical access to collections will be by appointment only. If you want a specific circulating item or items, either currently on the shelf in a Dalhousie library or brought in from another Novanet library, you can access it through the curbside pickup service. 

·         Students within Canada but more than 100 km away from a Dalhousie Libraries location can have library materials mailed to them.

Services and Resources

·         As always, you’ll have access to a vast collection of electronic scholarly resources – e-books, e-journals and more.

·         Document Delivery will continue to provide access to digital materials from outside of the Dalhousie Libraries, but will not be getting books from outside of Novanet at this time.  

·         Research help will be provided virtually through the LiveHelp chat service. In-person research help will not be available.

·         The subject liaison librarians will be available for in-depth consultations in your subject area via email and virtual meetings only.

·         Assistance from the IT Help Desk, including Brightspace support for students, will be available via phone and email only.

·         Brightspace support for faculty will continue virtually and by email. 

·         One month extended loans for laptops will be available.

·         Librarians will provide virtual instructional sessions and other supports for faculty.

We need your help to keep everyone using the Dal Libraries safe. We ask for your cooperation and thank you for your patience while we all work together to create safe and welcoming learning spaces. 

Check out the library events calendar, found under the “events” tab on our landing page to find virtual library orientation events and for more information and updates, visit our COVID-19 page.