Phased reopening of library to begin from June 29

Kinsella Hall, which is the 1st floor of the Ussher Library, will reopen as an unsupervised study space for researchers

This afternoon, College announced that the library will begin a phased reopening starting on June 29, after being closed since 6pm 26 March due government measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The phased reopening is to begin alongside the commencement of Phase 3 in the government’s plan for reopening society.

Kinsella Hall, which is the 1st floor of the Ussher Library, will reopen as an unsupervised study space for researchers. 

Exact opening hours are yet to be confirmed, however the library’s website states that it is “likely” opening hours will be 09:00-17:00, Mondays to Fridays. 

Access to electronic legal deposit will be provided, with a limited number of PCs. There will also be limited print/copy services available.

The next phase of reopening the library will commence from July 20, with the Berkeley/Lecky/Ussher complex, the Hamilton Library and the John Stearne Medical Library opening on a limited basis to give readers access to study spaces and the ability to borrow books using the self-issue kiosks. 

The library’s website states that the opening hours are also “likely” to be 09:30-17:00, Mondays to Fridays. 

Access will be provided to a limited number of PCs and readers will also have print/copy services. 

According to Trinity’s library website, no access will be provided to group spaces and strict social distancing measures will be enforced across all spaces. The website also stated that these measures are likely to include limits on the number of readers in the libraries at any one time.

From August 10, the Early Printed Books and Manuscripts & Archives reading rooms will reopen on a limited basis, as will the Long Room exhibitions. The library stated that the opening hours will be confirmed in due course. 

From June 29, the library will launch a “click & collect”  service to enable readers to place online requests for print books held in the modern libraries and collect them from a physical service point, most likely Goldsmith Hall, however the library stated that they will confirm this in the next few days.

Requests will be placed via the Library catalogue, Stella Search, using the “click & collect” button in each record. Library staff will retrieve the requested materials and transport them to Goldsmith Hall for collection.

Requestors will be notified by email that their books are available for collection. They will be given 5 days to collect their books. The library stated that failure to collect books may affect your ability to place requests in the future.

From June 29, requests can be placed for materials that you would normally be able to borrow in the Berkeley, Lecky, Ussher, Hamilton and John Stearne Medical libraries. 

The library stated that requests for periodicals, journals and reference materials will not be possible during this time.

From the  July 20 onwards, the library stated that they may be in a position to extend this service to materials held in the Santry Repository, however this is yet to be confirmed. 

A statement from the library reads: “The reopening of Library spaces and the resumption of physical services will be phased and gradual. Not all libraries can or will reopen at once, and we must be ready to change plans quickly if there are further waves of the virus.”

The announcement continued: “In the initial phases of the resumption plan, priority will be given to current staff and students. We will expand our services for visiting readers as soon as it is possible to do so.”

Shannon Connolly

Shannon Connolly is the Editor-in-Chief of the 69th volume Trinity News, and a Senior Sophister student of English Literature and Philosophy. She previously served as Deputy Editor, News Editor and Assistant News Editor.