The University Libraries instituted a new delivery-by-mail service, making physical books and materials accessible during this remote semester to any active UNC student or faculty member living in the continental U.S.
Joe Williams, the director of public services for UNC Libraries, said that since the University’s initial move to virtual learning last spring, the libraries have received many requests to institute an adjusted system of material delivery that would accommodate individuals who are off campus.
“We have in the past provided this service for students who were distance ed, which in the past only included a small percentage of our students,” Williams said. “But this semester, just about everybody is distance ed.”
The delivery-by-mail feature is now available on the request forms of materials that are typically in circulation. After an order comes in, Williams said it takes two to three days for the University Libraries to retrieve and process the item.
Then, through the U.S. Postal Service, the item is sent out. The overall delivery time is dependent on a student or faculty member’s location.
“It functions no differently than any other borrowing system,” Williams said. “The items are made to your account until you return them. So far, we haven’t had any problems with people not returning them.”
Williams said return labels with pre-paid postage are included in every box in order to ensure that the University Libraries remain a free service for students and faculty.
“Our main desire in all of this is just to serve students and faculty,” Williams said. “We know what a challenging time this is, and many people either don’t want to be out and about or they actually cannot be, so we are just trying to serve folks as best we can.”
In addition to those with UNC One Cards, the delivery-by-mail system is also available to community members with UNC borrower’s cards, provided that they live within 50 miles of campus.
