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COVID-19: Updates on library services and operations.

Curbside Pickup Service

Last day to request Curbside Pickup before the holiday closure is December 18, 2020. See hours for more info.

University of Toronto Libraries offers a Curbside Pickup Service for print books and other materials not available electronically through the HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service. This service is available for current University of Toronto students, faculty, and staff.  See also: Scan & Deliver Service.

COVID-19 self assessments: Anyone entering the library must show a 'green' Ucheck screen or self-assessment log (U of T News, Oct 26, 2020). See details in Health & safety 

Participating libraries  |  Hours  |  Requesting  |  Pickup & due dates  | Health & safety  |  Curbside FAQs 

photo of robarts library curbside pickup service area: paper bags of books on tables and a public services staff member carrying some bags

Participating libraries

Request items from

Pickup location

Material that may be requested
Robarts Library
Robarts Library
Books in stacks and storage
Gerstein Science Information Centre Robarts Library Books in stacks
OISE Library Robarts Library Books, AV materials
Architecture Library Robarts Library Books
Business (Milt Harris) Library Robarts Library Books
Centre for Criminology Library Robarts Library Books
Dentistry Library Robarts Library Books
Earth Sciences Library Robarts Library Books
East Asian Library Robarts Library Books, AV materials
E. J. Pratt Library (Victoria College)  E. J. Pratt Library Books
Emmanuel Library (Victoria College) Emmanuel Library Books, DVDs, CDs
Graham (Trinity College) Library Graham Library Books
Innis College Library Robarts Library Books
Kelly (St Mike's College) Library Kelly Library Books, DVDs
Knox College – Caven Library Knox College Books, AV materials
Law Library Will be confirmed by email Books
Math Library Robarts Library Books
Media Commons Robarts Library DVDs, Blu-rays, video games, microforms
Music Library Robarts Library Books, music scores, CDs
New College (Ivey) Library Robarts Library Books
Regis College Library Regis Library Books
St Augustine's Seminary Library St Augustine's Library Books
University College Library Robarts Library Books
UTM Library UTM Library Books
UTSC Library (including The Bridge) UTSC Library Books, DVDs
Downsview off-site storage facility Robarts Library Books, DVDs, & all other media types

The Curbside Pickup Service does not include course reserves, government publications, journals, reference materials, or uncatalogued items.

Service hours for Robarts pickup

Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm  |  Sunday: CLOSED
CLOSED on Monday October 12 for Thanksgiving holiday
Note: Hours for use of Robarts computers are more extensive than the Curbside Pickup Service hours.

Holiday closure for pick-ups & requesting

  • The last day for REQUESTING a curbside pickup is December 18, 2020.
  • The pickups desk will be closed from Wednesday December 23, 2020 – Sunday January 3, 2021
  • Other libraries may have different requesting deadlines – see individual library websites for details.
  • Pick ups resume on January 4, 2021
  • Requesting resumes on January 7, 2021

How to make a request

  • Holiday requesting pause: The last day of requesting a curbside pick-up will be December 18, 2020

  • Find your item(s) in the library catalogue.

  • Click the GET HELP button in each item's catalogue record, and follow the prompts. You will need to enter your barcode (on your TCard) to make the request.  

    • New students: If you have not yet made an appointment to get your TCard, please do so at your earliest convenience. In the meantime email reader.reg@utoronto.ca who will help you to temporarily request items through the Curbside Service

  • If an electronic copy of the book is available via the HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS), you will be provided with a link to the ETAS. You will then need to log in to HathiTrust to get to the full text. Items available in HathiTrust are not eligible for Curbside.

  • If HathiTrust does not have the book(s), continue to follow the prompts to place your curbside pickup request.  

  • You will receive an automated message to let you know when your request has been received. Staff will check the shelf for your requested book(s) and send a message about any requested book(s) that are not available.  

  • Wait for a final e-mail with instructions about picking up your item(s)

Book pickup & due dates

Pick up window & due dates

Items will be held for pick up for 14 days from the time of your email pickup notice.

Curbside Pickup Service items due dates have now been extended to April 30, 2021. DO NOT RENEW items, as this will interfere with the loans renewal script.

Pick up instructions

The Robarts Library Curbside Pickup Service is only accessible the 2nd floor south portico entrance (St George St. side, at Harbord) by the Fisher Library side. There is no access to Robarts Library from this space.

Please wear a mask when you arrive, and follow these steps:  

  • Step 1: Enter through the revolving doors

  • Step 2: Show your TCard to library staff from the marked distance

  • Step 3: Collect your books, which will be packaged in a paper bag labeled with your name 

  • Step 4: Exit through the Harbord St-side revolving doors

Health & safety measures

Students, staff, librarians, and faculty members coming to any U of T-owned or operated property, including the libraries, must complete a COVID-19 health screening self-assessment before visiting (U of T News, Oct 26, 2020).

There are two ways that individuals can complete the required self-assessment and generate a risk status each time an individual comes to U of T: by using UCheck, or by completing a a paper-based or offline self-assessment log. 

Anyone entering the library must show a 'green' Ucheck screen or self-assessment log – Oct 26/20; Nov 21/20; Nov 26/20

The health and safety of our staff and library users is our highest priority. To make curbside pickup as safe as possible, we have implemented the following measures.  

  • We ask everyone using the curbside pickup service to wear a mask
  • Self-assessment signs are posted at the entrance
  • Hand sanitizer stations are available at the entrance and exit
  • Physical distancing decals are posted on the ground, indicating a 2 metre space between people
  • Traffic is one-way, with a dedicated entrance and exit
  • Requesters are given a half-hour appointment window to help ensure that only a limited number of people are using the service at a time
  • Only three people at a time will be allowed into the building for book pickup
  • Staff are provided with masks, and are protected by a plexiglass barrier
  • Pickup is contactless. Show your TCard to staff from a safe distance then pick up your labeled bag of books. 

Questions?

Check these Curbside Pickup Service-related FAQs.