On March 27, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., in-person access to Hesburgh Library and all branch libraries was suspended in a University-wide effort to protect the health and well-being of our campus faculty and staff, their families, and our communities.

The flagship Hesburgh Library building and our branch libraries are spaces designed to foster inspiration, free inquiry, academic excellence and, ultimately, the creation of knowledge. The Hesburgh Library, in particular, has a storied legacy as the intellectual heart of Notre Dame’s campus.

For this library—and for all libraries—this necessary extended closure of our physical spaces is an unprecedented event. Be that as it may, we are ready. While we have been visibly transforming our physical library spaces, the Hesburgh Libraries has also been developing and expanding digital library technologies and services for years.

I assure you that, while our physical library spaces will remain important in the future, we now stand ready to offer advanced research expertise, digital materials and innovative services in the virtual realm. Online and digital resources are available 24/7, and our subject librarians and service teams are just an email or Zoom consultation away, no matter where around the world you may be.

I have never been more proud of the Hesburgh Libraries leadership team and every member of the library faculty and staff. All of us remain steadfast in fulfilling our enduring mission of Connecting People to Knowledge during this unique time of remote work, online teaching and distance learning.

Please visit our Library Service Continuity webpage, consult with subject librarians and specialists, and ask questions via chat or email asklib@nd.edu as often as needed.

As always, we are committed to service excellence. We promise to take care of you during these times of uncertainty, while you are taking good care of each other and the people that you love.

We look forward to seeing you when we all come back home to Notre Dame.

Stay safe and well.

Diane Parr Walker
Edward H. Arnold University Librarian
Hesburgh Libraries, University of Notre Dame