What You Need to Know in Fall 2020: Behind Closed Doors, What’s Open on Campus

As the new semester unfolds in unprecedented ways, stopping in at the Stamp for a latte or picking up a book at McKeldin Library require a little more logistical planning. Here’s how three of the University of Maryland’s most-used facilities are available.

University Libraries
Hornbake Library is open for student study on a walk-in basis. “Students can go in any of the study spaces on the ground, first or second floors,” said Gary White, senior associate dean in University Libraries. The Maryland Room, which houses Special Collections and University Archives materials, and Hornbake’s exhibit space are closed, but a virtual Maryland Room will soon be operational for researchers to access Special Collections and other materials from their laptops, and appointment-based in-person access to the Maryland Room will start on Sept. 14.

McKeldin Library is not open for the first two weeks of the semester, but curbside pickup has been in service since July. If students, staff or faculty members need a book, “we can either retrieve the books or can likely borrow from one of our partner libraries,” said White. 

Starting Sept. 14, McKeldin’s first floor will be open by reservation from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Fifty people will be allowed inside at any one time, and furniture has been spaced out. Reservations are for one hour, though if there are open slots, visitors may stay longer. Students can either reserve a seat at a computer station or select a study space where they bring their own device. 

Equipment loans for items like laptops, tablets or tripods will be available by Sept. 14. Virtual research consultations, access to computer software, live chat with librarians and other services are available, and virtual study sessions will be offered at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. More than 900,000 digital books are also available through the Hathi Trust Emergency Temporary Access Collection. 

The rest of UMD’s libraries will remain closed this semester, as will Footnotes Café on the first floor of McKeldin.

University Recreation and Wellness (RecWell)
The Eppley Recreation Center, Outdoor Aquatic Center, Climbing Wall and Ritchie Coliseum are open. Reservations are required, as are face coverings at all times except while swimming. Users of the facilities will be asked to keep 10 feet from other people. RecWell staff is cleaning all high-contact surfaces every two hours, and disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizing stations will be provided. In-person group fitness classes will begin on Sept. 14 and also require reservations; virtual classes are also available. The RecWell website has more information on all offerings.

Reckord Armory, Severn Fitness Center and the fitness center in the School of Public Health (Room 0101) are expected to open on Sept. 14. The weight room in the School of Public Health (Room 0103) is expected to open on Sept. 7. Reservations and face coverings will be required for those facilities as well. The Bike Shop is open by appointment for repairs, rentals and retail.

Adele H. Stamp Student Union
For the first two weeks of the semester, the Adele H. Stamp Student Union has transitioned to a reservation-only process, said Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, director of the Stamp.  

During this time, those entering are encouraged to make their visit as short as possible and within their one-hour reservation time slot. All public lounge areas and other spaces with seating are temporarily unavailable. 

Most businesses in the Stamp are open through Sept. 12, including the University Book Center, M&T Bank and dining vendors, including QDoba, Chick-fil-A, McDonald's, Coffee Bar, Panda Express, Sbarro and more. Subway and TerpZone will join them on Sept. 14. And yes, the Maryland Dairy is open and serving up scoops. 

Food can also be ordered from Stamp vendors through the GrubHub app and picked up at its curbside tent on Union Lane. For textbooks, the University Book Center is offering two options: curbside pickup from its tent on Union Lane or by coming in with a reservation. 

The building is not open to the general public. Plans to open more fully commence on Sept. 14, and the building will be closed in observance of Labor Day, Sept. 7.