The following continuity plan addresses the changes to three critical library service areas to consider as you migrate your ground classes online : instruction, research services, and resource access. These types of situations are often fluid; the library’s ability to provide all the herein services is subject to change. This webpage will be updated as additional service changes become necessary.

DiMenna-Nyselius Librarians are prepared to work with faculty to provide online information literacy instruction using appropriate educational technology. If you are interested in online information literacy instruction for a course please contact Matt Schirano at mschirano@fairfield.edu. We have experience with a number of educational technologies --both synchronous and asynchronous--and can work with you to create online content that meets your student needs.

For those who already have scheduled an instruction session, please contact the Librarian you are working with to determine the best steps for moving forward.

In addition to Librarian-led student instruction, we are able to provide online instruction support in other ways:

• Research and course guides
  • Research guides are a collection of relevant library resources based on a particular discipline/field that are always available on our website. Many times, linking to a relevant research guide is sufficient support for students.
  • Course guides are similar to research guides but are tailored to specific courses and assignments. For example, they are useful for assignments involving the use of specialized databases, or those with less user-friendly interfaces. We can also embed course and other materials like syllabi, images, and streaming video.
  • Links to these guides are easily shared via Blackboard, Quip, e-mail, and more.
• Research assignment consultations
  • Share any research assignment with your Faculty Partnership Program partner and we can help adapt it to an online environment.
  • While we may not be familiar with every educational technology, we are willing to learn! If you have an idea of how to integrate the library and/or research to your online course, or are already doing something interesting, please do not hesitate to reach out and let us know.

For more information on instruction for online courses, please contact Matt Schirano at mschirano@fairfield.edu.

Research services will continue to be available in several ways:

• Research Appointments: Delivered via Zoom
• E-Mail:  Research requests will be responded to within 2 business days
• 24/7 Chat
• Telephone: Call the Library Services & Information Desk at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2188 during staffed hours.
• Text Message: Text a question to (203) 295-7542 during staffed hours
• Research Guides: Research guides provide a list of library resources relevant to specific fields and disciplines. They are an excellent way to steer students toward the library resources most relevant to their information needs.
• Citation Guides: We have citation guides for APA, MLA, Chicago (Notes-Bibliography), Chicago (Author-Date), and IEEE. When available, links to online manuals are provided.

Starting on July 6th, the DiMenna-Nyselius Library will make physical items from our collection, or from Interlibrary Loan (ILL), available to Fairfield University faculty, staff, and students. Although the library building is currently closed, our staff are prepared to provide materials in a safe manner, in accordance with State and professional guidelines. Requested items will be pulled and checked out to your account, wrapped in paper with your name, and placed on a book cart in the library lobby. You will receive an email when your items are ready for pickup. For more information on how to request your items and information about wait times, please click here.

The Library provides a wealth of online material, and there should be no interruption of access to these resources. For additional information about accessing these resources (including troubleshooting) please see our guide for connecting from off-campus.

If there are ebooks you would like to use for your courses, contact Curtis Ferree at cferree@fairfield.edu for assistance. 

Please contact your librarian partner or research@fairfield.edu for assistance in finding suitable online alternatives to print resources.