COVID-19 / Remote Library Services Guide

The Library Reference and Information Desk will be unavailable until the first day of Fall term, September 28 2020. During Fall term, Librarians will be available to help during the following hours:

Hours
Monday--Thursday 9:00 am -- 7:00 pm 
Fridays 11:00 am -- 3:00 pm
Saturdays and Sundays 11:00 am -- 3:00 pm

Please use this form to request a library laptop, internet hotspot, or other library equipment. Requests will be first come/first served as inventory is limited. Please expect library staff to get back to you within one to two business days with information about pickup or referral to other college services that might help you procure the equipment that you need.

Request form

• Form to request scans

All Library services--reference services / research help, interlibrary loan of journal articles, ordering materials for the Library collection--are still available through remote service. Many Library resources are already available online. The one main exception is checking out physical library books, DVDs, etc.; we will mainly be promoting and instructing users on how to access our eBook and streaming video collections. However, staff, faculty, and students can get books or DVDs by placing the item on hold, and the library will contact patrons to arrange a pickup time and date at the Albany campus. If you would like assistance accessing these materials, please contact the Reference Desk at (541) 917-4645 or libref@linnbenton.edu.

For students needing assistance with Moodle and webrunner, the Student Help Desk remains available for assistance. Please expect up to one business day for callback or email response.

Regular hours will begin starting the first day of Fall term:

Hours:
Monday -- Thursday 8:00 am -- 9:00 pm
Fridays 8:00 am -- 5:00 pm
Saturdays and Sundays 11:00 am -- 3:00 pm

• Can I check out a book?
• Can I stream a video for my students?
• How can I return my library materials?
• How do I access course reserves?
• Is Zoom secure?
• When are my books due?

Library equipment is available to LBCC students on a first-come first-served basis. Our laptops and hotspots are primarily meant to fill a temporary need while you secure permanent access to equipment. We encourage you to visit the Roadrunner Resource Center to connect to community resources and LBCC emergency funds that may help you get ongoing access to technology. Please see the box below for more information on free or low-cost computers and internet service.

What you need to do to check out a library laptop or hotspot:

• Fill out the Equipment Request Form
• Wait for a library employee to contact you (usually within two days, Monday-Thursday) with information about pick-up. If you are not able to pickup the item, please let us know and we will discuss other options.
• Bring your photo ID to the LBCC Albany Campus Store loading dock for pick-up, after you have been informed that the item is available. 
• Return all equipment in working order by the end of this current term. Failure to return items or returning damaged items may result in being charged the full replacement cost, plus a $10 processing fee and accrued fines.

Please contact us by phone at (541) 917-4645 or email libref@linnbenton.edu if you have questions or are unable to fill out the request form.

Programs the provide free internet access:

• Comcast's Internet Essentials - Free for 60 days for qualified low-income families. Call 1-855-846-8376 for English or 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
• Spectrum Broadband - Free for 60 days to households with a K-12 or college student who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. Installation fees will be waived for these households as well. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395

Programs that help pay for Internet access or provide it at a reduced price.

• Lifeline - a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone and internet. Eligible customers will get up to $9.25 toward their bill. You can only use Lifeline for either phone or internet, but not both.
• everyoneon.org - offers broadband service to income-eligible families (for example, those that qualify for free or reduced school lunch, or who live in public housing) at a cost of around $10-12 per month (varies from state-to-state).
• A more comprehensive up-to-date list of programs is available from National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA).

• Computers with Causes - apply to receive a free computer
• PCs for People - offers refurbished low-cost computers that can be purchased online
• CTAC - Low-cost computers for people on public assistanc
• Free Geek - a Portland-based program that sells refurbished equipment online.
• everyoneon.org - Offers very low-cost laptops or desktops ($100-200).
• Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse (AFTRR) - has a map of non-profit refurbishers the US.
• OnIt Foundation - Another place to apply for a free computer, but must have a K-12 child

• You will most likely access Zoom through a link sent to you by your instructor, or made available from a support service like the Library. This short video shows you how to join Zoom from your computer or another internet-connected device.
• You can use Zoom on your computer or device or via a mobile app. Find out how to connect to Zoom with your device.
• If you don't have a smartphone, you can still participate in the audio portion of a Zoom conference through a regular phone. Learn how to join Zoom with a traditional phone.
• Here are some Student Tips for Participating in Online Learning.

• The World Health Organization
  A great source for worldwide information, including maps and travel information
• The Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus 2019
  Lots of practical advice for the workplace and home, including a list of products that fight the virus.
• Medline Plus Coronavirus Page
  Practical consumer information about symptoms, treatments, prevention, etc.
• Oregon Health Authority
  The most authoritative place to get information about the virus in Oregon. Sign up for email updates.
• Benton County Health Department
  County level information, including links to school districts.
• Oregonian's Coronavirus page
  If you are having trouble accessing any articles, try here or ask a librarian at 541-917-4645.
• New York Times Coronavirus page
  If you are having trouble accessing any articles, try here or ask a librarian at 541-917-4645.
• Coronavirus Research Database

We are offering curbside pickup for books and DVDs from the circulating (stacks) collection. To access these materials, place a hold on the resource from your library account. You will be emailed further instructions about when and where to pick up the resource. You can also choose another library in the Linn Libraries Consortium as a pickup location (as long as they are providing access to print books).

Once you receive an email from us, you can pick up your library materials.  You can do this any time 9am-3pm Monday-Friday from the loading dock outside the Albany Campus store.  If there is no staff waiting outside, ring the doorbell by lifting protective cover and pressing the button on the bottom.

This map shows the dockside location:

For ongoing access to technology, please contact the Roadrunner Resource Center, who may be able to connect you with community resources or LBCC emergency funds.