Walking onto Kean University’s campus, it used to be filled with students and faculty, rushing to classes or taking time to sit and talk with peers. The area with the biggest foot traffic is the Nancy Thompson Library Learning Commons (NTLC).
Students could check out books for classes or pleasure, go to writing and public speaking labs, make tutoring appointments/study groups and so much more. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 and students being unable to return to campus, the resources at the NTLC have not stopped but rather been altered.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is the option to request a book, periodical or other item be sent from another lending library. With COVID-19, printed items ordered through ILL have limited availability. The NTLC will make every effort to obtain ILL items that can be delivered in electronic formats.
Along with this, there is a contactless pick-up option available at the library for students to have the printed materials. Students can click the link under Contactless Book Pickup Service, in the Library Services section, to submit a place hold request for a print book and make arrangements for contactless pick-up in the NTLC.
The NTLC has always had an active writing and public speaking lab. A place where students can bring their papers from class or drafted speeches to receive guidance and constructed criticism. These services are still provided but on a virtual basis every day, once a day for forty-five minute sessions.
Along with these labs, there are workshops available every week, for students to sign up for free. Some of the events being hosted by the NTLLC this week include the following:
- Travel Through History: Explore Black History via Learning Commons Resources: Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 2-2:45 p.m.
- APA Documentation Style: Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 6-7:00 p.m.
- Literature Review: Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 3-4:00 p.m.
- Cite it Right: Using EndNote Online to Document Your Sources Webinar: Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- Academic Integrity: Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 6-7:00 p.m.
The majority of tutoring services at The NTLLC have switched to virtual. They have provided pre-recorded tutoring videos and study guides that can be found under Tutoring Services on the website. There are also virtual tutoring hours available Mon. to Fri. from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sat. from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sun. from noon to 7:00 p.m.
For those who are residing on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some in-person services provided by The NTLC. These include advanced online reservations for four private study pods, eight private study cubicles and ten private study rooms. Rooms 116 and 208, beside the Study Hall, are also available without reservation.
So many things have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and these changes have taken some adjusting to by everyone. It is comforting to know that the services at The NTLC have only changed slightly and the students at Kean University can still take advantage of them.
