Winter break at the Libraries: What you need to know

libraries closed during break

Waldo Library

Waldo Library on Western Michigan University's main campus will be closed Dec. 19–Jan. 6. We will reopen on Thursday, Jan. 7, and will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day as well as Friday, Jan. 8. Spring semester hours will begin on Monday, Jan. 11.

Even though the building will be closed, library materials can still be picked up at our new outdoor pickup window Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 21–23, during select hours.

Access to the Rare Book Room and the unique resources in our special collections will also resume on Monday, Jan. 11, by appointment only.

Zhang Legacy Collections Center

The home to WMU archives and our regional history collections will be closed Dec. 18–Jan. 10. The Zhang Legacy Collections Center will reopen on Monday, Jan. 11, by appointment only.

Borrowing and requesting items

Pickup window

Our new outdoor pickup window is now open! Just look for the awning to the left of the main entrance at Waldo Library. You can pick up existing hold requests and return borrowed laptops during the following days and times during winter break:

• Monday, Dec. 21: 9 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 22: 3 to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 23: 3 to 5 p.m.

Borrowing from Waldo Library

All requests for materials in Waldo Library submitted after Dec. 18 will be shipped to your home address. The last day to request physical materials from Waldo Library is Monday, Dec. 21. Requests placed Dec. 22–Jan. 6 will be processed when the library reopens on Thursday, Jan. 7.

Requests placed before Dec. 19 may be picked up from our service window during select hours Dec. 21–23 or when the library reopens on Thursday, Jan. 7.

Borrowing from other libraries

Like Waldo Library, many other academic libraries are closed during this time. Our last day for processing requests through interlibrary loan will be Tuesday, Dec. 22. Shipping times may vary. Any requests submitted Dec. 23-Jan. 3, will be processed starting on Monday, Jan. 4.

Borrowing through MeLCat

Requesting materials through MeLCat (Michigan eLibrary Catalog) will continue to be available. However, many participating libraries will be closed and requests will not be processed during the winter break. Picking up materials at Waldo Library requested through MeLCat will not be available Dec. 19-Jan. 6. You will be contacted by email when your item is available for pick up.

Asking questions

Live chat suspended

Our live chat service will be unavailable Dec. 19–Jan. 10. Live chat will be available again starting Monday, Jan. 11.

Email assistance suspended

Our email assistance service will be unavailable Dec. 19–Jan. 10. You can send us a question at any time during this break. Email responses will be sent out after we reopen on Thursday, Jan. 7. 

accessing resources remotely

Our doors may be closed during winter break, but a wealth of online resources are still available to you anytime, anywhere.

• Use Library Search to access millions of resources – ebooks, articles, videos and more. Find what you need and log in with your Bronco NetID to retrieve it.
• Browse our digital collections to see historically significant photographs, manuscripts and more. 
• Use course and subject guides and databases to help with your course work and research projects.