McGoogan reopens its doors today

The McGoogan Health Sciences Library is open again for business today.

“It took us an extra week to get everything ready to welcome the university community, but we are very excited to share our new library with our faculty, staff and students at UNMC,” said Emily McElroy, dean of the McGoogan Health Sciences Library.

It’s a soft opening, with furniture still missing and construction crews still finishing up the year-plus renovation (the physical library closed to the public last May). Though library staff and resources remained available to the UNMC community throughout, it now returns as a physical space.

The books are reshelved, and the McGoogan Health Sciences Library is now open.

“If students, faculty, and staff are already on campus, they are welcome to make the library their study and recharging spot,” McElroy said.

A UNMC ID badge is required for building and library access, and masks will be required. Non-compliance will result in non-entrance, McElroy said. Masks are required in all open areas but may be removed in individual study rooms and faculty hoteling offices, with the door closed.

Visitors will notice much more natural light, access to electrical outlets and strong Wi-Fi. Study rooms, reflection rooms, conference rooms, classrooms and faculty hotel offices can be reserved via the central scheduling office.

Books and models may be requested for checkout via the library catalog, but library staff will reduce the number of touchpoints for all materials and will isolate circulating items between uses. There may be a short delay in the availability of items. Most library services will still be provided remotely for now, including the Writing Center.

Social distancing is expected, and physical and environmental cues will help. Library users are expected to demonstrate common-sense hygiene and handwashing, and chip in with cleaning of spaces and equipment before and after use.

“We have placed social distancing and arrows throughout the space to help the flow of traffic, along with cleaning stations throughout the library,” McElroy said.

McElroy is happy to welcome the campus back, but cautions that work is not yet complete. “The construction company is still working in the space and adding different features, such as frosted glass on all the study room doors and windows,” she said.

So while the library is generally library-quiet, “You may hear some construction noises during your visit.”