This page was last updated on June 30, 2020. For updated information for Fall 2020, please see Staying Healthy at the Library.

Is the library open?

  • Beginning Monday, July 6, 2020, the Cushwa-Leighton Library will be open to members of the Saint Mary's College community (students, faculty, and staff) from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday.  Access will be via the west front door using your Saint Mary's ID card in the swipe-card reader.  All patrons will be required to wear masks or cloth face coverings at all times while in the building; all staff will wear masks or cloth face coverings when not working by themselves in their own offices.  All patrons will be required to maintain standard physical distance (6 feet) from each other and from library staff. All research help or reference consultations will continue to happen online, not in person.
  • In addition, nearly all of our services are available online! 
  • The Trumper Computing Center will be available to students with special permission from the Dean of Students. You will need to swipe into the Library vestibule using your SMC ID. From there you may swipe yourself into the doorway to the Trumper computer lab. If your card does not work, please contact Security at (574) 284-5000.
  • You can check the library's hours page for details.

Can I come to the library? Can I check out books? Can I use computers?

  • Members of the Saint Mary's College community (students, faculty, and staff) may come to the library during our limited open hours to check out books and use computers, provided they adhere to the College and the library's standards regarding masks and physical distancing. 
  • The library is not currently open to non-affiliated community members.
  • If you are a student with special permission from the Dean of Students, you can use the Trumper Computing Center. You will need to swipe into the Library vestibule using your SMC ID. From there you may swipe yourself into the doorway to the Trumper computer lab. If your card does not work, please contact Security at (574) 284-5000.

How do I do research for my assignments when I can't get to the library?

  •  The librarians are here to help! Use our online chat or web form to ask a question, make an appointment to meet with a librarian virtually, or contact the liaison librarian for your department or major.
  • As of May 11, 2020, our online chat hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT.  Outside of those hours, our Research Help form is available.  If you can't reach us for help during those hours, use our Make an Appointment form and we will do our best to meet with you at a time that works for you.

Why am I getting overdue notices for a book I returned, that belongs to another library?

  • Because our courier service is not yet fully functional, we can't return books to their "home" libraries yet.  
  • Once we have the ability to send books back to the libraries that lended them to us, we will check those books in and send them back.
  • Unfortunately, some libraries are still sending out automated overdue notices.  Don't worry! You won't get charged overdue fines or have a hold placed on your borrowing record because of these books.

Can I still request books from other libraries? What about journal articles?

  • Most libraries around the country are still suspending interlibrary loan, so we cannot request books from other libraries at this time.
  • If you have a book from another library, you can return it to our book drop and we will hold it until we can return it to its "home" library.
  • We are still borrowing and lending journal articles! This process happens almost entirely online, so you can still request an article.  Use the Find Text tool in library databases, or our online interlibrary loan request form, and we will try to get journal articles for you.  Delivery times may take a little longer.

My question isn't answered here.

  • Contact us for help!  We're available and want to help all of our students do the best work they can under challenging circumstances.  Please let us know what you need so that we can help you.