Johns Hopkins Libraries: What’s New for Spring 2021?

The Johns Hopkins Libraries will reopen some physical locations in the days ahead with reduced hours, capacity limits, de-densified study spaces, and enhanced cleaning and sanitizing procedures as the university expands on-campus activities for the spring semester. The libraries will continue to provide remote services and resources to support Hopkins students, faculty, and staff with their research and coursework.

The Arthur Friedheim Library at the Peabody Institute will reopen on Jan. 25, and the Milton S. Eisenhower Library, Brody Learning Commons, and Hutzler Reading Room on the university’s Homewood campus will reopen on Feb. 1. Welch Medical Library and Mason Library at SAIS spaces will remain closed until further notice, but their services and resources are available virtually.

No-contact book pickup and return services will continue at all library locations, and the university’s special collections and archives are providing limited in-person access to non-circulating materials by appointment only. Many other services, tools, and collections—including research consultations with librarians and informationists, workshops, library instruction, and electronic resources—may be accessed online through individual library websites.

To ensure that the libraries remain healthy and safe spaces for Hopkins community members, including library staff, please exercise care, courtesy, and respect when using them. All affiliates on campus are required to follow COVID-19 campus health and safety guidelines, including using the Prodensity app or website before coming to campus, wearing face coverings at all times, maintaining appropriate physical distance, and washing hands frequently. The libraries are deeply committed to the principles and requirements of the Johns Hopkins Social Compact and urge you to pledge your support as well.

Physical Locations

Plan ahead and know what to expect. Visit individual websites for the most complete and current information.

Sheridan Libraries

• The Milton S. Eisenhower Library and Brody Learning Commons will reopen Monday, February 1 for current Johns Hopkins students, faculty, and staff who have been approved to be on campus: Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 10 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 10 pm.
• Capacity will be limited to promote physical distancing. Density sensors have been installed to monitor occupancy in real-time. Occupancy tracking will be displayed on the Sheridan Libraries website and on digital signage throughout the buildings. Entry will be denied when the limit is reached, except for faculty and students who have an assigned office or study carrel; are attending an academic class held in the library; have a reservation in Special Collections; or have a short-term reservation for a study room, a seat in the Quiet Reading Room, or use of a public printer.
• J-Card is required. You must have an active J-Card ID to swipe and enter library buildings.
• Face coverings are required at all times. Library spaces are monitored by university safety ambassadors for compliance with COVID-19 campus safety guidance—wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing, following proper hygiene, and completing daily health checks.
• Seating has been reduced and spaced for physical distancing. Study rooms and Quiet Reading Room seating require a reservation; all other seats are available on a first come, first served basis.
• Eating and drinking are not permitted. Water fountains may not be used. Items purchased from library vending machines must be consumed outside. The BLC Café will remain closed until further notice.
• Public equipment has been reduced and may require a reservation.
• The Special Collections Reading Room in Brody is open on a limited basis to current Hopkins faculty and students by appointment only: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9 am to 2 pm.
• The Restricted Data Room in MSEL is available on a very limited basis to current Hopkins faculty and graduate students by appointment only .
• The Hutzler Reading Room in Gilman Hall will reopen Monday, February 1 for current Johns Hopkins faculty and students: Monday through Friday, 7 am to 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 10 pm. Seating has been reduced and spaced to promote physical distancing, and will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Welch Medical Library

• Welch Medical Library’s physical space will remain closed until further notice.

Mason Library at SAIS

• Mason Library’s physical space will remain closed until further notice.

Arthur Friedheim Library

• Friedheim Library will reopen Monday, Jan. 25 with limited access: Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
• Capacity will be limited to promote physical distancing, and will monitored by library staff.
• Limited computer workstations and study spaces will be available as well as printing and scanning services.

Alan Mason Chesney Medical Archives

• The Chesney Medical Archives will continue to be available for in-person use on a limited basis to current Hopkins faculty and graduate students by appointment only: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 am to 4 pm.

Historical Collection of the Institute of the History of Medicine

• The Historical Collection will continue to be available for in-person use on a limited basis to current Hopkins faculty and graduate students by appointment only.

Borrowing and Returning Physical Materials

• Book pickup service will continue at MSEL, Welch Medical Library, SAIS Library, Friedheim Library, and APL Library (APL staff only) for select print materials from Johns Hopkins libraries or through BorrowDIrect. Eligible items have a “Request Pickup” button in the Catalyst catalog record. Please refer to the Book Pickup and Returns page for instructions about how to request materials for pickup, how to pick-up the materials, and how to return materials.
• Library stacks are closed; please use the book pickup service. Stacks browsing is not available for spring 2021. Stacks must remain closed in order to comply with copyright law as we participate in the HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service, which provides critical equitable support for faculty, staff, and students, regardless of their location.
• BorrowDirect is operating with reduced partner libraries and under COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safe handling of library materials. You can expect to receive materials approximately one week after placing a request in Catalyst, depending on where items are coming from.
• Materials may be returned to book bins at MSEL, Welch Medical Library, SAIS Library, and Friedheim Library. Incoming materials will be quarantined for 72 hours.