Last Updated: 7/24/2020
We are implementing a phased plan for gradually resuming onsite activities while maintaining our first priority of staff safety. Below is information to help you start using the library again, and we encourage you to reach out to us with questions, improvements, and general comments at library@philamuseum.org. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we continue to get back to “normal.”
See below for:
Last Updated: 7/23/2020
If you have any questions please send them to library@philamuseum.org
Our new take-home circulation policies do not apply to our non-circulating collections. These include but are not limited to items from our Rare stacks, damaged or fragile books, kits, or mixed media materials.
With our Reading Room closed, you may now review non-circulating materials in your personal workspace in Perelman or Main. Request what you need online, and we’ll contact you to schedule an in-person, socially-distanced hand-off. Returns must be made the same day, while the Library is still staffed. Just let us know when you’re dropping off your book. If you need more time, we’ll make arrangements with you for a future date.
Questions? Contact alex.vallejo@philamuseum.org.
Last Updated: 9/15/2020
These FAQs will be updated as plans are developed and implemented. Responses are based on current information and can change.
1. When and how will onsite library services be restarted?
You can drop off all returns on the return cart near the Media Room in the Lower Level of the Perelman building, or send them back via interoffice mail in a sealed, clearly marked box, mailer, or envelope.
As of August 3, we have resumed paging and circulation of PMA materials. Paging will be completed once per day before 11 A.M. Books will be available on pickup carts near the Media Room on the Lower Level of the Perelman Building. You can also request that your books or other materials be sent to you via interoffice mail. Please request “interoffice mail” and note the department to where we should send the materials when you make your request in the online catalog.
Interlibrary loan services have now resumed. For more information, please see Question 7.
2. What precautions are you taking to protect library users and staff and minimize risk of infection?
The safety of library staff and patrons is our highest priority. Library and Archives staff will follow all state and museum public health guidelines, including maintaining social distance, wearing masks, frequent hand washing, sanitizing and disinfecting workspaces and equipment, and self-monitoring for symptoms. Additionally, we will be quarantining returned library collection materials for 96 hours between hand-offs to minimize the risk of viral spread through contact with book and other collection surfaces.
3. When I pick up my book, should I clean or disinfect it?
No! Please don’t clean or disinfect library materials. Per recommendations from the IMLS/OCLC/Battelle report, quarantining a book for 48–96 hours (depending on the type of paper) will naturally disinfect the book.
4. What will be the average wait times between requesting a book and receiving it?
It is likely that the turnaround will be longer than usual. To protect the safety of staff and patrons, we will be operating at minimum staffing levels with workflows modified to allow for social distancing and the required 48-96 hour quarantine of library materials.
For scans, we anticipate it will typically take 2–3 days to process most requests. For books, the wait time will typically be 5-7 days . Quarantine protocols for handling physical materials make requests for “rush” or expedited delivery less feasible for the time being. In the meantime, we thank you for your patience with any delays or inconvenience.
5. When will I be able to use the reading rooms again?
You can use the Bookeye scanner in the main reading room. Please do not use wipes or clean the equipment. Be sure to wash your hands or make sure your hands are dry after sanitizing them to keep the equipment clean and not damage the displays.
Do not browse or pull items from the Reference stacks. These materials are findable in our online catalog so please request reference materials as you would circulating books—they will be available for pick up in the lower level of Perelman along with other requested materials. Please reach out to library@philamuseum.org if you have another use case for any reference books or want to see a current issue of a journal so we can make sure materials are properly quarantined between uses. Serials are no longer on display in the reading room.
6. I’m interested in using rare books or archival materials. When can I set up a research appointment with the Archives?
We will make special arrangements with PMA staff to access rare Library books. More information can be found here.
Please request archival materials via archives@philamuseum.org and we will do our best to help you. In-person research with this material is unavailable for the foreseeable future.
7. When will I be able to request books from Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
Our E-ZBorrow and WorldShare services have resumed. However, please note that request fulfillment may be delayed because of reduced on-site staffing, service disruptions at other ILL libraries because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to quarantine incoming books before circulating to patrons.
You'll be permitted to take home most of your ILL books along with PMA items. If any have been marked for in-library use only, we will make special arrangements with you according to our new non-circulating item policies.
8. I requested a book and it’s not on the request cart (Perelman Media Room level)?
The item you requested may not be available due to its size, condition, and/or uniqueness. We are still figuring out the process for how to handle such material, but we hope to make these items available for Bookeye scanning in the main Reading Room in the near future (2nd floor). Please bear with us as we work through this process. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at library@philamuseum.org.
9. Can you buy a book at my request?
You may request the purchase of electronic materials to support research. However, due to budgetary constraints we have temporarily stopped new acquisitions of most materials, including print books.
10. I work in the Main Building, do I need to go into Perelman to retrieve books?
When you request a book in the online catalog, please also note in any blank field “interoffice mail” and the department where we should send the book(s). If there is any issue with this, we will make alternative arrangements with you.
11. I returned a book, but it does not appear as returned in the online catalog. What happened?
As you know, we now ask you to drop off all returns on the return cart near the Media Room in the Lower Level of the Perelman building, or send them back via interoffice mail in a sealed, clearly marked box, mailer, or envelope. All returns must be quarantined for at least 4 days, and given our process for handling such material it may take up to two weeks, so please know that these books will not be checked in until that time has ended.
