Status of Library Services

Current as of March 14, 2022

We have extended hours through March 25. See all hours here.

Current as of February 22, 2022

As of February 22, Library hours will be 0700-2000 Mon-Thu, 0700-1730 Fri, closed weekends.

Current as of January 13, 2022

As a reminder, many of the services offered by the Dudley Knox Library, the Graduate Writing Center, and the Thesis Processing Office continue to be accessible in the on-line environment. For further information, please see:

• DKL: Dudley Knox Library 
• GWC: Graduate Writing Center services
• TPO: Thesis Processing Office services
• TLC: Teaching and Learning Commons

Library Hours

Due to the county’s “high” transmission level and in accordance with the Campus decision to revert to a temporary “telework and distance learning modality,” the Library will be closed though we are continually working to improve the services we are able to offer.

We understand this is a challenging time for everyone and we will work to provide as much support as possible given the many constraints around us. We are constantly evaluating our ability to add more support as the situation and circumstances allow.

While our building is closed, we will still be providing virtual support for basic library services, Graduate Writing Center coaches and thesis processing services.

We remain available to assist you in a number of ways. See our FAQs below for information, links or contact information.

Research Assistance

Ways to reach us and get research help.

More Services

• Remote Access
• Checkout Materials (Library-owned Print Materials)
• Return Materials
• Book Scanning Requests
• Printing
• Interlibrary Loan (Request Article or Book)
• Workshops
• Out-Processing

Technology

• If you are having trouble accessing our electronic resources please contact us through Ask a Librarian and we will try to troubleshoot
• If you are having VPN or campus network issues:
  • Library Tech Help is available Mon-Fri 0800-1600
  • try the resources on the NPS Technology page
  • or contact the Technology Assistance Center Help Desk directly.

FAQS

Q1: Is the Dudley Knox Library (DKL) open?
A1: No.  For now, the library is physically closed to users. While the library is not open for 'in person' use, our online research materials and guides are available from our site.

Q2: Is research assistance available?
A2: Yes. Research assistance is available: Email, text, or chat your questions to Ask a Librarian service.
Contact your library subject Liaison.
See our list of questions and answers on how to use the library.
See our guide to doing research at the library.
See our how-to videos for more information.

Q3: What library services are available during the building closure?
A3: DKL is still able to provide research assistance virtually and we are providing printing on request, Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services, and check-out of library materials for the NPS community. See the following Q&A for details.

Q4: How do I access materials remotely?
A4: If you log into the VPN, you should be automatically validated and able to access DKL resources. If you have a library account you can also be validated in using the links on our website and in our Library search tool. If you don't know if you have an account or are having trouble with it, please contact circdesk@nps.edu.

Q5. How do I return library materials?
A5. Books can be returned in either of the book drop bins in front of the library or via the mail, including DKL materials and those received through Interlibrary Loan.

Q6. Will the Library still be offering workshops?
A6. Yes. We are providing Library and Thesis Quick Start classes as well as Zotero workshops via Zoom. We can also provide virtual research instruction sessions for groups or individuals.
Please visit the Workshops page for dates, details, and  to sign-up for GWC, TPO and DKL workshops. Sessions will be recorded and available later.

Q7. Can we still borrow physical books or request scans of chapters?
A7.  Yes, but only NPS faculty, staff and students. We will attempt to provide same day service for requests not requiring special handling (e.g. chapter scans and course reserves) submitted before 1200 otherwise they will be available the following day (not including weekends or holidays).  They will be available for pickup in the library’s lobby M–F between 0900–1600. The lobby will be open with guidelines for observing social distancing and a one-way flow of traffic. For Distance students/faculty or anyone who cannot come to campus, we will mail the items to you.
Submitting requests to check out library materials

• Use the “Request Article or Book” (aka ILL) process to request the items, whether we own them or not
• Requests not requiring special handling (e.g. scanning articles and course reserves) must be submitted before noon (1200) for same day service otherwise they will be available the following day (not including weekends/holidays)
• We will notify you when items are ready for pickup
• Items will be available for pickup in the library lobby between 0900–1600, M–F
• Items can be returned by placing them in the box drop bins located outside the library
• For Distance students/faculty or anyone who cannot come to campus, we can mail the items to you
• Note: Course materials cannot be checked-out but parts/chapters can be scanned using the same request method. Use the notes field to identify the chapter(s) needed

Submitting requests for scans of library materials

• We will scan a small number of chapters or sections upon request. Before requesting chapters from required text books and other course readings, please check with your instructor to see whether readings have already been posted to your Sakai or other course site
• Please do not request scans as an alternative to purchasing required texts
• Please use the "Request Article or Book" option to make your requests and be sure to identify what chapters or pages are needed in the Notes field
• We will notify you via email when the scanned material is available

Q8. Can we still use the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service?
A8.  Yes. Please use the "Request Article or Book" option to submit requests for items we don’t own or don’t have access to.

• We will notify you via email when items are ready for pickup
• For local students and faculty, items will be available for pickup in the library lobby between 0900–1600, M–F, all others will be mailed
• Items can be returned by placing them in the box drop bins located outside the library or returned via the mail
• For Distance students/faculty or anyone who cannot come to campus, we can mail the items to you.

Q9. Can we have access to the building to use the printers?
A9. No. however, you can send us your files and we will print them for you. Submitting requests for items to be printed:

• Email files to circdesk@nps.edu, using subject “Printing”
• Limit of four attachments per request
• Back-to-back and color printing is the standard unless otherwise noted but we will not hole-punch or staple
• We will attempt to provide same day service for requests submitted before 1200 otherwise they will be available the following day (not including weekends/holidays)
• No PII please
• We will notify you via email when items are ready for pickup
• Items will be available for pickup in the library lobby between 0900–1600, M–F and the lobby will have guidelines for observing social distancing and a one-way flow of traffic

Q10. I just graduated and still need to out-process through the Library, how do I do that since the building is closed? 
A10. If you have materials to return, you can leave them in the book drop bins in front of the building. You can email circdesk@nps.edu for confirmation that we received them.

• If you want us to check to make sure your library account is already clear, please email us at circdesk@nps.edu