Milner Library’s COVID-19 Response Information

Anyone can access our building during open hours and/or utilize our Virtual Reference Desk for assistance. 

Special Collection remains closed to walk in traffic; however, access is available by appointment and staff are available for virtual research assistance. Please contact MilnerSPC@IllinoisState.edu for additional information.

University Archives remains closed to walk-in traffic; however, access is available by appointment and staff are available for virtual research assistance. Please contact Archives@IllinoisState.edu for more information.

Yes. Please contact Archives@IllinoisState.edu for more information on current protocols for donating historical items. University Archives is also collecting items related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to Milner Library's spaces when the building is open, more than 10 Redbird Study Rooms with wifi are available to students across campus in a variety of campus buildings. See a full list of available study rooms. For information on what buildings are open, see the current academic building hours.

Yes, eating and drinking are permitted in the library. You will need to wear a face covering at all times when not actively eating or drinking. 

Drop In Writing Assistance will return to Milner Library in August. More information on assistance available from the Visor Center. 

In addition to checking out in person when our building is open, tems can be requested for curbside pickup or on campus delivery via campus mail to campus mailboxes. Please see the above section for directions or this post on how to request items. If you need help finding items or have any additional questions, please contact our librarians through our Virtual Reference Desk or contact your subject librarian.

Possibly. Please use our online search available on our homepage to check formats for items available for check out. Course reserve items may be available electronically or can be requested to be digitized (please see Course Reserve FAQ item). 

Students, faculty, and staff are also encouraged to take advantage of Milner’s electronic resources that are available 24/7 such as Guides, electronic databases, the institutional repository ISU ReD, Kanopy streaming video service, digitized collections, and more. Additional resources from the University include Redbirds Keep Teaching, Redbirds Keep Learning, and Redbirds Keep Researching. 

Of course! Connect with Milner librarians for research help Monday through Friday and Sunday via our Virtual Reference Desk. Help from the Virtual Reference Desk is available to anyone, regardless of University affiliation.

Physical course reserve items are available for two hour, in-building use when the library is open. 

Electronic course reserve items can be accessed through your course’s ReggieNet site. You an also search our online catalog to see if your course reserve item has been digitzied. 

To request that physical reserve items be digitized, please fill out this Course Reserve Request Form. You can search current reserves in our library catalog. If you have any additional questions about course reserves, please contact our Virtual Reference Desk or contact Access Services at (309) 438-7321.

Yes. If you do not already have one, apply for a courtesy card online. Once received, you will be able to request items via our curbside pickup services.

Maybe. As more libraries resume services, Illinois Library Delivery Service, I-Share and Interlibrary Loan have resumed in limited capacity. Availability should be reflected in online catalog search. Please contact our librarians for research assistance.

Yes, access to our Government Documents is available when our buiding is open. For additional information and assistance, please contact Government Documents Librarian Angela Bonnell at abonne@IllinoisState.edu or call (309) 438-2354. Access to online Government information is available at all times to anyone regardless of University affiliation.

Yes. Any checked out items can be returned to our external book drops located outside of the main entrance and in the small lot behind the library, including I-Share items. Items can also be renewed online from the Library Accounts option under Quicklinks on Milner Library’s home page (video explanation available). Items can also be returned inside Milner Library when the building is open.

Items can be returned to external book drops anytime, at the Circulation Desk when the library's building is open, and/or renewed online from the Library Accounts option under Quicklinks on Milner Library’s home page (video explanation available).  

To check an item's due date or status, log into your Library Account (video explanation available). For additional information or for assistance, please contact Access Services at (309) 438-7321.  

If you are unable to return your items to Milner Library, you can drop them off at any I-Share library that is currently accepting returns, or please contact Access Services at (309) 438-7321 for further assistance.

Yes. Research continues to show that surface transmission of COVID-19 is low. Additional ways to help us keep items safe for yourself and others include washing your hands before reading, do not handle items if you feel unwell, and please leave the book cleaning to our professionals.

The safety and wellbeing of our campus community is of utmost importance to Milner Library. Some of what we’re doing to help keep ourselves and all Redbirds healthy include providing alternative ways to access resources and services, requiring face coverings in all library spaces, increased access to hand sanitizer and wipes to clean surfaces, enhanced cleaning, and staying home if feeling sick. We ask that all Redbirds do the same!

Please share any feedback and report concerns via our feedback form.

Milner Library's technology (computers, computer labs, printers, scanners, faxing) is available during open building hours.

Virtual access to computer labs remains available.
Information on additional campus computer labs that are currently open for walk in use.

At this time there are no restrictions on any items available. For more information on what technology is available for borrowing, please visit https://library.illinoisstate.edu/services/circulation/technology-devices/. If you are student and in need of a laptop, please contact the Technology Support Center for assistance.

Yes, current ISU students, faculty, and staff can submit 3D printing requests. Once completed, items will be available for pickup at our circulation desk or via curbside pickup.

Yes, printing is available at Milner Library. Additional places on campus remain available for printing.

Yes, the Ready Record Studio is available with the two modifications. Only one person is allowed in the studio at a time. Individuals using the studio can remove their mask while recording is in session, but for that reason and time only. Masks need to immediately be put back on when not recording.