CSUSB’s John M. Pfau Library has updated its online services for the fall semester as the campus continues virtual instruction and other remote learning modalities due to COVID-19.

New Virtual Library Multimedia Center

The Pfau Library’s new Virtual Multimedia Center has launched, with video production assistance now available to students who are creating videos for class assignments. Students will have access to free media production resources, quick how-to videos, and, for the first time, a media services specialist who will answer questions live via one-on-one online workshops.

The center has also resumed lending equipment, including iPads, cameras, camcorders, tripods, lighting kits, microphones, projectors, screens and more. All current CSUSB students, faculty and staff with a valid Coyote ID can borrow these items for free, contactless. Equipment is only available for checkout on Thursdays and must be returned the following Monday. This schedule allows time to disinfect and quarantine borrowed devices, in strict adherence to CDC-compliant guidelines. Click here to learn how to request equipment online.

Laptop Lending Program

The Pfau Library continues to lend laptops to students who need them for fall semester. In order to promote physical distancing and to reduce lines, students must fill out a reservation form.  Laptop reservations are limited to students who do not have access to technology resources at home. Palm Desert Campus students can pick up laptops at the PDC. 

Summary of Online Services

Visit Library Guides to view the whole collection.

Textbooks, contactless pickup, CSU+, Interlibrary Loan, and book returns

The Pfau Library continues to make every effort to obtain both print and electronic textbooks, funding permitting. Throughout the COVID-19 campus closure, required textbooks available for library purchase were acquired. Unfortunately, some publishers do not sell e-textbooks to libraries. In those cases, purchase of the e-textbook is not possible.

Normally, purchased print textbooks are placed on Course Reserves and are available for two-hour check out. Currently, these materials are not available for check out, but limited scanning is available at the instructor’s request. Get tips on finding textbooks from the library at Textbooks: Student Information.

Books from the library’s main collection can now be requested online for contactless pickup from lockers located in the library’s north breezeway, across from the CGI building. Patrons who request items for delivery to PDC will receive an email when items are available for pickup from PDC lockers. 

The CSU+ service, where books from another CSU library can be delivered for free to CSUSB, has also resumed. There may be delays, however, in processing requests due to quarantine procedures instituted to protect members of the campus community. Books requested through CSU+ will be available for pick up in the same place and contactless manner as for main collection books.

The Interlibrary Loan department continues to process requests for journal articles and book chapters. All books currently checked out from Interlibrary Loan were due on Aug. 31 and should be returned to one of the outdoor book drops.

Returning Library Books

All library books that had due dates during the COVID-19 closure were due on Aug. 31, and should be returned to one of the outdoor book drops. Fees and fines for books that were due during the closure that began on March 20, 2020 will continue to be waived. Books that were due before March 20 will have accrued fines, payable online only through your Library Account.

Email circ@csusb.edu for questions about your library account; ill@csusb.edu for  Interlibrary Loan inquiries; and rlumley@csusb.edu for PDC Library-related questions.

For the latest updates and additional information on library operations, visit Pfau Library Services During the Campus Closure.