UTRGV Libraries will not charge any fees and will extend the return dates for checked out materials for the remainder of the Spring semester. Dean of Libraries, Paul Sharpe explains that the university sent out an email that all campus operations will be closed except for the police department and health care.
Sharpe adds that due to factors such as the first death from the coronavirus in Cameron County, made the University realize that they needed to close.
Other factors involved such as the first death from Covid-19 in Cameron County. I think, the University finally decided that everything was working against them and it was time to go ahead and close.
Because of the situation being out of the Universities hands, checked out library materials’ return dates will be extended. Sharpe goes into further detail by adding that the items are being “renewed” because the library doesn’t know when they are going to re-open.
At this point anyone who has materials checked out, those will be renewed automatically. Because, we don’t know exactly when we are going to re-open.
Sharp says that nobody will be charged any fines or fees during this time until the library re-opens. Sharp explains that just because the library is physically closed it doesn’t mean that their online resources are no longer available.
Everything that is available online, all our journals, databases, electronic books, and any other resources those are still available and will remain available.
Librarians will also be available through email for references and to help students find articles or eBooks for their assignments. Mass Communication Junior, Lizet Chavez shares her thoughts about the library moving to online.
I think it’s great that their online library will be available to us. Also, that they’re even taking it to the next step to give us virtual assistance.
For more information about UTRGV’s Libraries visit the website utrgv.edu and search library.
Reporter Hector Tamez
