• News
    • Campus
    • Local
    • World
  • Arts and Entertainment
    • Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    • Music
    • Film
    • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
    • Campus Happenings
    • Community Happenings
    • Food
    • Business
    • Travel
    • Calendar
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Video
    • Globe News
    • What’s Bruin
    • Bruin Lens
    • Film
    • Music
    • Globe Shorts
  • Radio
Search
22 F
Salt Lake City
Friday, February 3, 2023
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Contests
  • About The Globe
    • Staff
    • Jobs
    • Issue PDFs
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy Policy
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
The Globe The Globe
The Globe The Globe
  • News
    • Campus
    • Local
    • World
  • Arts and Entertainment
    • Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    • Music
    • Film
    • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
    • Campus Happenings
    • Community Happenings
    • Food
    • Business
    • Travel
    • Calendar
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Video
    • Globe News
    • What’s Bruin
    • Bruin Lens
    • Film
    • Music
    • Globe Shorts
  • Radio
Home News Campus SLCC libraries open their doors to students
  • News
  • Campus

SLCC libraries open their doors to students

By
John L. Perry
-
September 30, 2020
0
East entrance of Markosian Library
The Markosian Library at Taylorsville Redwood Campus is one of four Salt Lake Community College libraries. All four locations undertook health and safety measures to remain open for the fall 2020 semester. (John L. Perry)

As Utah public library systems cautiously reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, Salt Lake Community College libraries remained open to serve students.

All four SLCC library branches currently operate with modified hours. Jon Glenn, director of Library Services at SLCC, says the plan was to have all locations open for the fall semester.

The libraries have implemented social distancing measures and require the use of face coverings in all buildings. Common areas and borrowed materials will be sanitized on a regular basis. Several remote services are available for high-risk students or those who do not wish to visit in person.

“If COVID-19 cases continue to rise and SLCC returns to an ‘orange’ or ‘red’ status, Library Services will consider closing locations, reducing hours and/or reducing services,” Glenn said in an email interview. “We will decide based on guidance from the College, the county and/or the state of Utah.”

All library branches display signage to help maintain social distancing. Installation of plexiglass screens on all service desks keep staff safely distanced from students. Additionally, the removal of some chairs and computer workstations keep students from crowding together.

In-person information literacy training is also no longer offered in libraries, with sessions moved to classroom or instructed remotely.

Main floor of Markosian Library
Salt Lake Community College libraries remain open to serve students during the fall 2020 semester. The libraries implemented COVID-19 precautions, including reduced seating. (John L. Perry)

Taysha Dolato, an exercise science major, says she only plans to visit SLCC libraries in the fall to attend small study groups.

“I’m not worried, just as long as all the students that do show up wash their hands and do what they’re supposed to and don’t be stubborn about it,” Dolato said through her mask in the Taylorsville Redwood Student Center. “This is what the school is here for, is to educate, and we can’t do that if one person decides that they’re not going to follow the rules.”

With face coverings now required in all campus buildings, Library Services is offering disposable masks for anyone who visits a branch without one.

“If someone can’t or won’t wear a mask, we will work to find other safe ways to provide them services,” Glenn said.

Custodial Services also hired more staff to keep common surfaces clean, such as tables and computer keyboards. Library materials are also sanitized as they are returned and kept in quarantine for three days before returning to circulation.

Dolato appreciates the new sanitation efforts.

“I like the fact they’re taking extra measures to ensure that safety from checking out books,” Dolato said. “That makes it more comfortable knowing they’re going to take the extra precaution.”

Study tables inside Markosian Library
Salt Lake Community College libraries reduced seating as part of its COVID-19 precautions. (John L. Perry)

For students who are most at risk for contracting COVID-19 and those who simply want to stay outside, curbside pickup and drop-off services are available. Libraries have also increased the number of laptops and mobile hotspots available for checkout so more students can access online services from home. Reference services and research help are also available by phone, email, text and online chat.

“Library Services has always had the ability to provide robust online services and research materials and will continue to work on improving these services,” Glenn said.

With few other food options at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus, the café at the Markosian Library will continue to sell pre-packaged food to students. Staff who handle food will wear disposable gloves.

“It is impossible to eliminate all risks and the decisions to use any in-person library service is something an individual ultimately must make for themselves,” Glenn stated. “Library Services staff will do what we can to minimize those risks and provide the services students and faculty need to succeed. If library users have any concerns they can reach out to our staff and we will do our best to provide them with what they need in a fashion that makes them feel comfortable.”

Dolato believes students should exercise some common sense during the pandemic.

“At the end of the day, it depends on who’s going to wash their hands and who isn’t,” Dolato said. If they are feeling sick at all, then just to stay home, I mean, that’s the only thing I think that does matter.”

Visit SLCC Libraries for more information on hours, services and COVID-19 safety measures.

Computer stations with reduced seating in Markosian Library
Salt Lake Community College libraries reduced the amount of computer stations as part of its efforts to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic. (John L. Perry)

An earlier version of this story originally appeared in the 2020 back to school issue.

  • TAGS
  • coronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Jon Glenn
  • Markosian Library
  • Salt Lake Community College
  • SLCC Libraries
  • Taysha Dolato
John L. Perry

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

People gathering around a table for the Dream Center

Photos: Spring 2023 Mega Fair

Rows of empty green theater seats in front of projection screen for Sundance

Sundance returns to Grand Theatre after COVID hiatus

A group of people watching a movie

SLCC looks to enliven filmgoers with Spring Film Series

Headshot of Sidni Shorter

SLCC names Sidni Shorter as the first Minority Business Center director

Side-by-side comparison of all-gender restroom signage

SLCC introduces new gender-inclusive restroom signage following last year’s pilot

The Globe
ABOUT US
About The Globe
Staff
Jobs
Issue PDFs
FOLLOW US
  • About The Globe
  • Staff
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
© 2023 The Globe