In response to the pandemic closure of normal building operations, the UCI Libraries began a curbside pickup service to provide books from our collections into the hands of UCI students, faculty and staff. Materials from Langson Library, Science Library, Orange County and Southeast Asian Archive, and selected Multimedia Resources Center items can be requested. Patrons submit their requests online and library staff retrieve the books from the stacks. When the books are ready to be picked up, patrons receive an email which gives them the choice to schedule a pickup time either by curbside in Parking Lot 2 or at the front doors of Langson Library. With minimal staff working onsite at the Libraries, requests are completed within 1-2 business days and pickup appointments are currently offered 4 days a week.
Special importance has been placed on the safety of our patrons and staff when offering this service. Staff handle materials wearing gloves and masks. Books are placed in plastic bags and placed on a table at the front entrance or carried in mail tubs out to the parking lot. The table, tubs and processing areas are sanitized frequently throughout the day. When books are returned through our drop-box they are quarantined for 7 days before being checked in by Libraries staff.
To date the UCI Libraries have provided over 2,500 books to patrons through this service. Click here for information about our Curbside Pickup service. Click here to learn more about UCI Libraries services available during the COVID-19 response.
For more information about curbside pickup services, please contact Kristine Ferry, Head of Access and Operations, at kferry@uci.edu.