In an email sent to librarians and library staff on March 14, U of T announced tentative plans to close all UTSG libraries except for Robarts and Gerstein beginning on March 17 due to concerns about COVID-19. UTM and UTSC libraries will remain open, also with limited hours. None of four the libraries will be open on weekends.
The email was sent the same day the university announced that they would close gyms, child care facilities, and limit library hours, though at the time they had planned to keep select libraries open and deferred an announcement until Monday. The limited hours at Robarts Library, the Gerstein Science Information Centre, and the UTM and UTSC libraries will be from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 am to 6:00 pm on Fridays.
Entrance to libraries will also be limited to only U of T students, faculty, and staff.
The libraries will begin to implement social distancing measures by turning off every other computer as well as putting up signs that encourage social distancing.
Library administrative staff are still in discussions about professional faculty libraries, and the email noted that plans were still subject to change at the time it was sent.
