Will the premier theological library in North America be open this Fall? Absolutely, and in several ways. First, of course, the library is always open to all patrons through its online research guides, reference support over email and live chat at pitts.emory.edu/ask, and the thousands of electronic resources available through the Pitts website. But this Fall, we are offering even more ways that Pitts can support your learning.
Study Space for Emory Faculty, Students and Staff
Beginning Monday August 24, the library will be open as study space for current Emory faculty, students, and staff, by reservation only. These patrons can reserve a specific seat in the library for studying. Reservations are available Mondays through Thursdays, from 9am to 4:30pm, at pitts.emory.edu/seats. Every 90 minutes, all patrons will be asked to leave the space to allow for the space to rest. The library will also make available copying, scanning, and printing services, both inside the library with a reservation as well as outside of the library on a first come, first served basis. Stay tuned at pitts.emory.edu/remotelearning for more updates about what spaces will be available and how to make reservations.
Checking Out Books
Will you be able to check out books? Absolutely! While our book stacks will be accessible to staff only, starting Monday, August 24, current Emory faculty, students, and staff will have the ability to request books from the Pitts circulating collection, and those books will be available for pickup at the library entrance. Make your requests online through the library catalog, and you will receive an email when the books are ready for you to pick up. For detailed instructions, visit pitts.emory.edu/requests. You may even get a free Pitts bag in the process!
Special Collections
What about access to Pitts’ rare books and archives? While we are doing on-demand digitization of these materials for many patrons, if that is not sufficient for your research needs, current Emory faculty, students, and staff can make reservations to view materials in the Special Collections Reading Room, Tuesday through Friday, 10am-2pm. For details and to make a reservation, visit pitts.emory.edu/collections.
Alumni and Affiliates
At this time, access to the physical space and the physical collections is only available to current Emory faculty, students, and staff. This means that currently our Emory alumni users will be limited to the resources licensed for alumni use (see pitts.emory.edu/alums), and our affiliate users will have to wait until Emory deems it safe to reopen the campus to visitors.
Online Learning and Events
All patrons are invited to participate in several online learning opportunities this Fall. We will continue our tradition of Weekly Workshops, instructional sessions from our librarians aimed to equip all patrons with the skills and tools for research and learning in theology and religious studies. For the schedule of workshops, and to register, visit pitts.emory.edu/fall2020workshops.
This year we are also launching the Kessler Conversations, a new program focused on our world-renowned Richard C. Kessler Reformation Collection. These 30-45-minute interviews with leading reformation scholars will trace topics that face contemporary communities back to the 16th century. This Fall, we will have 3 Kessler Conversations, at noon on the first Wednesday of September, October, and November, focused on the topic of disease, healing and pastoral care. To learn more and to register for these free events, visit pitts.emory.edu/kesslerconversations.
The incredible resources of Pitts Theology Library comprise an integral part of the Candler and Emory experience, and we look forward to supporting your learning this Fall, even if the way we do it is a little different!
Interested in learning how to use the services and resources of Pitts during COVID-19? Check out the series of short webinars in the coming weeks at pitts.emory.edu/fall2020.
