University Libraries announces fall hours and expanded operations starting Sept. 1

student in front of Waldo Library at Western Michigan University
Posted by Sara Volmering on

The University Libraries has announced operating hours and details about what to expect at Waldo Library this fall. All floors and book stacks and most services in Waldo Library will reopen on Sept. 1, including the group study rooms, Virtual Reality Lab and Graduate Student Commons. 

Beginning Sept. 1, Waldo Library will be open Monday to Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to midnight; Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 2 a.m. Waldo Library is expected to reopen to the public in September, allowing community members access most days until 8 p.m. and reserving late evening hours for WMU students and employees only. Waldo Library's Bookmark Café will also resume service in September.

“We are extremely excited to get back to providing students with the full range of what the WMU Libraries have available,” said Julie Garrison, dean of University Libraries. “Our physical library spaces are critical resources to our student who need a space to collaborate and study and access to convenient onsite library service is an important component of student academic support.”

The Libraries is finalizing plans to expand hours this fall for the Zhang Legacy Collections Center, which has been available by appointment only since August 2020. The Libraries is also working to reopen a reimagined Swain Education Library space this fall. The library collections housed in Swain were relocated to Waldo Library in May. More details about these library facilities will be shared later this summer.

Since August 2020, Waldo Library has been operating at a reduced capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Libraries developed reopening plans for fall 2021 based on improving conditions and the state relaxing COVID-19 mandates. Fall reopening plans may be altered if conditions change or additional restrictions are implemented.

“In making these plans, we considered existing health and safety guidance, current conditions in the Kalamazoo and the surrounding state, and the anticipation of a return to a more residential experience for students this fall,” Garrison said

“Our staff and faculty have done a tremendous job of delivering needed resources and services during extraordinarily difficult conditions this past year. We look forward to getting back to offering a vibrant suite of physical library services again as well,” Garrison said.

Follow the Libraries on social media @wmulibraries to stay up-to-date on fall reopening plans.

*Edited 2:24 p.m. on June 23, 2021 to clarify Zhang Legacy Collection Center appointments and Swain Education Library space