Library services: What's new for spring 2021?

Princeton University Library (PUL) is looking forward to welcoming additional students, faculty, and staff to campus for the spring term. Much preparation and planning is underway!

Beginning February 1, 2021, PUL will provide:

Expanded seat capacity
Seat capacity in Library spaces will be increased at all locations, while ensuring we continue to comply with NJ State Law and University guidelines. 

"No wait" seat reservations
Online reservations for a study and browse appointment will be available for faculty, students, and staff with an active PUID in 4-hour blocks for up to 20 hours per week. We will offer “no wait” reservations at 15-minute increments: book a seat and come in at the next nearest 15-minute time slot. Reservations must be made prior to entering a library location and can be booked up to 7 days in advance. If you reach your 20-hour limit in a week and need more time, please email refdesk@princeton.edu.

For information on accessing Special Collections, including booking an appointment in the reading room, please visit the department’s website.

Extended hours
Evening and weekend hours will be added at all Library locations. For more information about hours by location, including hours for the Firestone Special Collections reading room, please visit library.princeton.edu. 

In addition to the above, PUL will continue to offer the following in-demand services:

Book pick-up service
The book pick-up service allows faculty, students, and staff with active PUIDs to request books online and pick them up at on-campus Library locations. Learn more.

In-house digitization service:
The in-house digitization service allows Princeton students, faculty, and staff to request digitization of articles or chapters in print book collections. Learn more. 

For digitization of manuscript materials found in the Finding Aids database, please send your request to Special Collections via the Ask Us! form. 

Remote consultations with specialists
Library specialists with discipline-specific knowledge are available for consultation via online chat, email, virtual video chats, or by phone. Check out PUL’s Meet Our Specialists videos!

For undergraduate students: Find your personal librarian!

A few friendly reminders:

Health and safety protocols
Social and health protocols must be adhered to at all times, including wearing face coverings, maintaining social distancing, observing bathroom occupancy, and frequently washing hands. For more information, please visit the Princeton Playbook.

While visiting Library spaces, students are expected to follow protocols outlined in the Student Social Contract.

Food and beverages
No food is permitted in Library spaces. This will be strictly enforced to ensure adherence to health and safety protocols. Beverages with lids are permitted.

Space usage 
Library spaces are available for study and browse only. Some seats may be designated for online class participation.

Public equipment
Database stations will be available by reservation through the online reservation system.

Public scanners will be available at some locations and may require reservations to use.

Public computers and printers will not be available. Patrons are encouraged to bring a laptop.

Microfilm/form readers will be available for use by emailing refdesk@princeton.edu.

Resource pages
As services change or new services are added, updates will be included on the following overview pages:
Library resources for undergraduate students
Library resources for graduate students
Library resources for faculty and teaching assistants

Questions?
Please email refdesk@princeton.edu or contact a subject specialist.

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Written by Office of Library Communications and PUL's Spring Task Force

Photo by Brandon Johnson, Communications Specialist

Media contact: Barbara Valenza, Director of Library Communications

Published January 11, 2021

Check out PUL's Spring 2021 welcome video!