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Current Library Services

Last update August 27, 2021

Loyola University Chicago Libraries’ priority is to serve our students, faculty, and staff needs while protecting the health and safety of the community. Our librarians and staff are always ready to help. Please contact us or check this page for additional information about the University Libraries’ current efforts and updates for the fall semester.

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What's New

  • Access for alumni, Friends of the library, and reciprocal borrowers returns September 7, see visitor access policies for more information.
  • Food is not permitted, drinks are permitted in covered containers, and please wear headphones when using the sound on a computer or mobile device.
  • The Information Commons, Cudahy Library, and Lewis Library are open for study spaces, browsing and checking out materials. Cudahy Lower Level has reopened as well.
  • Masks are required for everyone in all public spaces on campus, including the library buildings.
  • The HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service will end September 7, 2021. Following this transition, only books in the public domain will be accessible through HathiTrust.

Fall Semester Hours

Please see Hours for planned hours. Hours will expand as staffing levels increase.

Archival research continues to be by appointment only for the fall. Requests for appointments:

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the current hours for the University Libraries?

    See Hours for all locations. The Information Commons, Cudahy Library, and Lewis Library are open for study spaces, browsing and checking out materials.

  • Can I access the University Libraries spaces for quiet study and research?

    • Access to library spaces is restricted to current Loyola students, faculty, and staff. All other users will be admitted by appointment only and with the approval of the University Libraries. Starting September 7, we will welcome back alumni, Friends, and guests.
    • Please review the Return to Campus checklist for guidelines prior to visiting Loyola.
    • For archival research visits, please contact them directly for an appointment:
    University Archives and Special Collections; Congressional Archives in the Information Commons Visit Ask the Archivist
    Women and Leadership Archives in Piper Hall Email WLArchives@luc.edu

  • What library services are available for community guests, alumni, and Friends of the Libraries?

    At this time, only current students, faculty, and staff can visit library buildings in person, in accordance with campus guidelines. We will expand this access September 7. Until that time, community guests, alumni, and Friends of the Libraries are welcome to use Ask a Librarian services, or to contact the Women and Leadership Archives and the University Archives and Special Collections to request research assistance. Library users in these groups are also able to attend many of our virtual events and to connect with the Libraries on social media.

  • What do I need to visit the University Libraries?

    • Please review the Return to Campus checklist for guidelines prior to visiting Loyola. You do not need to make a reservation to use the library (though may reserve a study room), but must comply with all campus policies regarding vaccination, testing, and masking.

  • What if I don’t have a Loyola Campus ID Card? Who do I contact with questions about my Loyola Campus ID Card?

    If you do not have a Loyola campus ID card, or if you are having difficulties using your ID card please contact the Campus Card Office.

  • How can I get University Libraries materials?

    •All access to the library print collections is restored to faculty, staff, and students. • Faculty and graduate students can now request books via Interlibrary loan (ILL). The ILL book ordering process will remain the same through ILLiad. The ILL book ordering process will remain the same through ILLiad. Once the library receives the book, you will receive an email notification and can proceed to the designated pickup location. For undergraduates and staff, ILL requests are restricted to journal articles and book chapters delivered online. Book borrowing returns September 7. For help on Interlibary Loan, see our guide.
    •For assistance in acquiring online materials to support teaching and learning, contact your library subject specialist or see our guides for Faculty Support and Student Support.
    •The library is providing support to faculty for locating online materials for courses, but we face limitations in licensing many online textbooks. See our full statement here.

  • Can I still use contactless pickup?

    Contactless pickup for materials ended on August 6. You can choose to have materials delivered to the Information Commons for pickup if you find that more convenient than the Cudahy circulation desk. If you have other concerns about accessing library materials in person, please contact Tori Golden at tgolden2@luc.edu.

  • How can I get research help?

    Our librarians and staff are available to help you in the following ways:
    Submit questions via email
    Schedule a Zoom appointment to meet with a librarian
    Online chat with Loyola University Chicago Library staff (24 hours)

  • How do I request research and learning support?

    •To schedule an online (synchronous or asynchronous) instruction session for faculty, contact your subject specialist or submit an instruction request.
    •All research assistance will continue to be provided online through our 24/7 chat service, by email and through Zoom appointments. In person assistance will return in the fall semester.

  • I have a book due, what do I do with it?

    •All due dates for books during campus closures have been extended through September 26, 2021. You may also renew your books yourself online.
    •You may return your books at the circulation desks or use the book returns at the following locations:
    To the right of the west Cudahy Library doors (Lake Shore Campus)
    In the lobby of the Information Commons (Lake Shore Campus)
    In the lobby of Corboy Law Center (Water Tower Campus).
    •You can mail books back to the library. Please address packages to: Cudahy Library: Access Services Loyola University Chicago 1032 W. Sheridan Rd. Chicago, IL 60660
    •We will not be charging overdue fines and will waive recent fines. If you received an automatically generated letter regarding overdue books or fines, please contact us at cud-circ@luc.edu.

  • How do I renew books?

    •For Loyola items, please login to your library account with your UVID.
    •For Interlibrary Loan (ILL) items, login to your interlibrary loan account.

  • Can I get scans of a book chapter?

    •Requests for articles and single chapters from books are still accepted, but some requests may not be filled, as all academic libraries are operating with limited staffing and resources.
    •Questions about Interlibrary Loan can be directed to lib-ill@luc.edu.

  • How do I access electronic resources off-campus?

    •Using the links provided through the library website and catalog you can log in with your UVID and password to get access to electronic resources from any off-campus location. For more information, see our Remote Access guide.
    •Our licenses with publishers and content providers do not allow the University Libraries to provide off-campus access to electronic resources for Loyola alumni and guests. Once building access is restored to alumni and guests are welcome to use electronic resources while on campus. Please contact cud-ref@luc.edu with questions.
    •If you are a Health Sciences Division member, you must log in at the Health Sciences Library for off-campus access.

  • I’m an alumnus/a, community member, or Friends of the Libraries member. How do I renew my item(s)?

    All due dates for books have been extended through September 26, 2021. Questions may be directed to cud-circ@luc.edu.

  • I'm an alumnus/a or community member. Am I allowed to use the library spaces for study?

    Access is restricted to current Loyola students, faculty, and staff.

  • Can I request books from the Library Storage Facility?

    We are currently fulfilling requests from the Library Storage Facility on a case-by-case basis. If a user requests an item that is damaged (whether due to mold or another reason), requests will be cancelled and the user notified.

    • Summary of Services

    Support for Teaching and Learning

    Research Help

    Off-Campus Access

    Archival Research

    Circulation and Course Reserves

    Interlibrary Loan

    HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service

    Connecting with the University Libraries Community

    Support for Teaching and Learning

    • Librarians are available to support students and instructors in online courses. See list of resources and instructions for accessing them.
    • Extended equipment loans (including laptops) are available through Digital Media Services.

    Research Help

    Off-Campus Access

    Archival Research

    Access to University Libraries' archives is by appointment only.

    Access Digital Archival Collections and Exhibits

    Circulation and Course Reserves

    • All due dates for books due during campus closures have been extended through September 26, 2021.
    • You can return library books at the circulation desks or the following book returns:
      To the right of the west Cudahy Library doors (Lake Shore Campus)
      In the lobby of the Information Commons (Lake Shore Campus)
      In the lobby of Corboy Law Center (Water Tower Campus).
    • You can mail books back to the library. Please address packages to: Cudahy Library: Access Services Loyola University Chicago 1032 W. Sheridan Rd. Chicago, IL 60660
    • Books that you were shipped to you directly can be returned on at this time. If you would like to return the books to campus in person, please deposit them in any Lakeshore Campus Book Drop with a note including the phrase “Ship-Direct Return” and your UVID/email address. You are not expected to return materials until you are able to do so on campus. If your situation dictates that you must return materials via a carrier service (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.), please email jmann@luc.edu for more information.
    • We will not be charging overdue fines and will waive recent fines.
    • Home delivery of Loyola-owned books is suspended. 
    • Physical reserves are available in the fall semester. If your class is taught online or in a hybrid format we will work with you to make online reserves available. In general, we will attempt to acquire online versions of reserve materials where practical.
    • We are currently fulfilling requests from the Library Storage Facility on a case-by-case basis. If a user requests an item that is damaged (whether due to mold or another reason), requests will be cancelled and the user notified.
    • Questions about book circulation and course reserves can be directed to cud-circ@luc.edu or LewisLib@luc.edu.

    Interlibrary Loan

    • Faculty and graduate students can now request books via Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and pick them up at Cudahy or Lewis libraries. The ILL book ordering process will remain the same through ILLiad. For help on Interlibary Loan, see our guide.
    • For undergraduates and staff, ILL requests are restricted to journal articles and book chapters delivered online for the time being. Book requests will return in the fall semester.
    • Requests for articles and single chapters from books are accepted, but some requests may not be filled, as all academic libraries are operating with limited staffing and resources.
    • We are no longer able to extend due dates for ILL books currently on loan. If you have ILL books that you need to return, please do so at your earliest convenience. We will waive overdue fees associated with any item once we receive it. You can deposit ILL books in the book returns at the following locations:
      • To the right of the west Cudahy Library doors (Lake Shore Campus)
      • In the lobby of the Information Commons (Lake Shore Campus)
      • In the lobby of Corboy Law Center (Water Tower Campus)
    • You can also mail books back to the library. Please address packages to:
    • Cudahy Library: Interlibrary Loan
      Loyola University Chicago
      1032 W. Sheridan Rd.
      Chicago, IL 60660
    • Questions about ILL can be directed to lib-ill@luc.edu.

    HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service

    • The HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access service will end September 7.
    • The HathiTrust Digital Library is a collection of digitized books and other print materials from major research libraries. At any time, Loyola users can read and download out of copyright material that is archived in the HathiTrust Digital Library. While the library building remains closed, we have access to in copyright material, as well.
    • The HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS) permits special access for HathiTrust member libraries that suffer an unexpected, temporary disruption to normal operations, requiring the library to be closed to its patrons, or otherwise restrict print collection access services.
    • All books in our print collection that are also are included in the HathiTrust Digital Library are available to Loyola users as part of the ETAS.
    • For instructions on how to use HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access to books, see this online guide.
    • The HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access service is likely to end in late August/early September.

    Connecting with the University Libraries Community

    • We look forward to hosting limited in-person events. We will also continue offering programs online whenever possible. Check our University Libraries calendar for information about events.
    • Social media: Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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