By Anna-Maria Beck
Bellarmine’s W.L. Lyons Brown library has closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. The library building was closed on March 23, although many online services remain available to students, faculty and staff.
Library Director John Stemmer said, “In an effort to protect the health and well-being of students, faculty and staff, the university made the decision, after careful deliberation, to close the library.”
Stemmer said the library has never closed for an extended period during a semester.
The closing of the library doesn’t affect most students because they’ve moved off campus and are working from home.
Emily Powers, a junior psychology major, said she “wasn’t planning on using the library since school has moved to online.” Powers also said that if the library were to remain open for the rest of the school year, that she would probably go to the library to study for finals.
However, a few students have had their studies disrupted by the library closing. Christopher Loughery, a junior sociology and criminal justice major, said it is an inconvenience to have the library closed because he does not have access to a printer.
Among the many online services still available are the library’s eBooks, online journals and streaming media, which are accessible from the library home page. The library also is working with vendors to make additional resources available here.
Library items currently checked out will have due dates extended. Materials may be returned once the campus re-opens and fines will be waived. Check for new developments and library updates here. Contact the library via email askus@bellarmine.edu or just click here to ask any questions.