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Penrose Library

Access to Resources & Services: Home

As we deal with the on-going coronavirus spread, Penrose Library is here to maintain access to library resources for those that stay on campus and those off-campus

Change in Operations

We will make every effort to ensure that students and faculty have access to the information resources they need to complete coursework, finish research, and continue their academic lives whether you are in Walla Walla or elsewhere in the world.  Our digital collections are available for use, and reference librarians are available online to answer questions and provide research guidance. We are able to receive digital ILL materials. Find more information on accessing our materials, in person or virtually.

Library Hours: The library is open for studying by reservation:

  • Sunday: Noon - 10:00 pm
  • Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 10:00 pm
  • Friday: 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
  • Saturday: Noon - 7:00 pm

Archives: The archives will be open by appointment starting in February (depending on construction completion).

Printing: All printing will be handled by WCTS this semester, there will be no printing available in the library.

Contact Us
  • Chat from 9-5, Monday - Friday
  • Email us or send in a question
  • Call us at 1-833-PENROSE to leave a voicemail that the person managing chat will receive.

Chat reference

Librarians will be available from 9-5 Monday - Friday for help with any reference questions you may have. Please be patient as we may have a higher volume of patrons using our services remotely. If the chat does not appear or work, please don't hesitate to email, or use our contact form.

Library Access

FACE COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES.

The library will be open to faculty, staff, and current students during the following hours:

  • Sunday: Noon - 10:00 pm
  • Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 10:00 pm
  • Friday: 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
  • Saturday: Noon - 7:00 pm

You will have to swipe to enter the building, and there is limited capacity, so you may have to wait to enter.

Only the main floor will be open, and you will not be able to browse the stacks. You can request books be pulled at the circulation desk, or continue to use porch pick-up to make requests in advance.  Community members can use porch pick-up as well.

In order to access study space in the library, follow these steps:

1. Schedule a study time in one of the 6 zones (Allen room tables or armchairs, Ankeny-side window seating, Fitzpatrick Room, main floor center seating, computer workstation). Find a map of spaces here.

  • Study times are scheduled in one hour blocks. You may schedule back-to-back blocks.
  • Study spaces may be reserved 72 hours in advanced.
  • Study spaces are for ONE person only.

2. Swipe into the Library with your Whitman ID.

3. Go to your study space zone and find an open seat. Please do not move the furniture.

4. Clean your study area with the provided wipes before you begin to study and when you leave.

5. If we find that students are consistently overstaying their allotted time or ignoring COVID protocols, we will regulate study space use more closely.

 

To Access the Archives (9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm)

1. By appointment only (with 24 hours notice), please call (509) 527-5922 or email archives@whitman.edu

2. At your appointment time, wait by the sign inside for your escort.

3. More info on making an appointment and rules of use

Checking out Materials

Penrose Library has two ways to get you the items that you need.

If you are in Walla Walla, you can pick up Penrose items from the library front entrance. Here's how it works:

Porch pickup step-by-step
  1. Request items for pickup.
    • Use Sherlock to search for items, sign-in and use the “request for pickup” link in the Get-It box.
  2. Wait for email notification.
    • Staff will pull your items from the shelf, check them out to your account and bag them.
    • You will receive a “ready for pick up” notification by email.
  3. Pickup is available at the front entrance.
    • When you receive notice your items are available, swipe in and they will be on a table in the foyer, alphabetical by last name.
    • If you do not have cardswipe access, call 509-527-5192 and staff will bring out bagged items on a cart to the designated area on the library porch. Please wear a mask and take your items once staff have moved out of your way.

Details on how Penrose is meeting WA state Curbside COVID-19 requirements can be found here.

Not in Walla Walla? Remote Mail Delivery Step-by-Step

  1. Request items for delivery.
    • Use Sherlock to search for items, sign in and use the "Remote Mail Delivery" link located next to the item.
  2. Fill out the mail delivery form.
    • Make sure your address is current.
  3. You will receive an email notification with a tracking number when your item(s) ships.
    • We will ship materials in 2-8 business days.

The image below shows where to click for the different delivery request options:

Summit services have resumed as of August 17th. Not all schools in the region are participating, so it might not be as big a variety of resources as you may expect. We will be quarantining books as they arrive so expect a longer delay in receiving notice they are available. We will also be quarantining them once they've been returned so they may stay in your account longer than expected but you will not accrue fines.

Guide to using the library

Special Access to Digital Materials

Browsing in Sherlock

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