The Ames Library (including the Writing Center, Action Research Center, and Thorpe Center) has been closed as part of the university's efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The library will be closed, and all in-person library services will be suspended, through the conclusion of the Spring Term. Please watch this space for any changes to our service plan or any update to our planned date for re-opening to the public. Information is also being shared through the Ames Library Twitter account.
Updates on the university's response to the coronavirus, as well as answers to many frequently-asked-questions for students and faculty and staff, are available on the university's coronavirus site. This site is being updated frequently, so please refer to the university resources for the most up-to-date information about our campus plans.
Library faculty and staff are available to assist you in located electronic resources, submitting interlibrary loan requests (digital delivery only), and preparing for your online courses through Moodle. Please see below for the current status of library services and contact information for questions or requests for assistance.
Librarians are available online (via Google Meet) on Monday - Friday, from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm for questions, research consultations, and referral to available resources and services. You can also submit questions directly to your liaison librarian.
Library Facilities
The Ames Library is currently closed to the public and all in-service library services (including pick-up, or drop-off of materials) is suspended. Faculty members preparing their courses for online delivery may schedule appointments to make use of resources available in the Thorpe Center, including the One-Button Studio, Light Board Studio, and Podcast Studio. Access to these spaces is by appointment only. Please see the ITS home page for current schedule and availability.
Research and Technology Assistance
Librarians and Information Technology Services staff are available to provide virtual assistance to you by e-mail and via Google Meet.
Research assistance, assistance locating electronic resources for use in your online classes, and other questions about library resources, information literacy instruction, etc., is available Monday - Friday (9 am - 5 pm) through Google Meet. You may also submit questions by e-mail to your liaison librarian.
Requests for technology assistance, both general (e.g., password re-set) and specific to online learning (Moodle Courses) can be submitted through the ITS Help Desk.
ITS staff are creating video tutorial on various topics related to online teaching, beginning with online office hours and academic advising, and these are available here.
Please visit the ITS home page for updated information on virtual help and consultation sessions being provided by ITS staff and faculty colleagues.
Note: As of March 23rd, access is still available to the Thorpe Center (by appointment only), but please watch for updates should this change as part of evolving guidelines regarding access to in-person services.
Accessing Library and Online Learning Resources from Off-Campus
The Ames Library and Information Technology Services provide information on accessing resources and services from off-campus in the Guide to Remote Library Resources and the Guide to Remote Teaching. These resources are being updated frequently with information relevant to the unique challenges associated with instructional continuity and continuity of library services during the coronavirus epidemic.
Borrowing Materials
All circulation of print materials and other physical items has been suspended. All due dates have been extended. Overdue fines for IWU materials will be waived. Please do not return any library materials currently in your possession as our drop boxes are locked. Please do not leave library materials outside a drop box or on the Ames Library loading dock.
I-Share borrowing and lending has been suspended throughout the State of Illinois through March 31st.
We will continue to process requests for digital interlibrary loan. ILL requests should be submitted through ILLiad, and are subject to the availability of materials and services from our partner libraries. For information on how to submit a request through ILLiad, please visit our ILL guide.
Requests for Library Materials
If you need to place a request for the library to order materials for course use, please contact your liaison librarian. The deadline to order for this academic year is April 1st. Please note that we will be prioritizing requests for e-books and other digital materials for the remainder of this semester.
Digitizing Materials for Use in Online Teaching
If you need to request an item be digitized for use in your online course, please review the guidelines for digital reserves and email reserves@
If you placed an item on print reserves for a course being offered this semester and need to have it digitized for use in your online course, please email reserves@
If you require content from a physical DVD to be converted for use in your online course, please contact your liaison librarian and we will do our best to provide a digitized copy.
Please note: staff time is limited for digitization of print materials. To reduce the number of requests to those with the highest priority, and to lessen the time needed to complete each request, we encourage faculty members to consider using licensed electronic resources as course readings or open educational resources, including open textbooks.
This listing of library services will be updated frequently.