West Texas A&M University’s Cornette Library reopened to the public July 6 with new safety measures in place.

The library, along with other buildings on WT’s Canyon campus, closed in March in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Since that time, Cornette staff has assisted WT faculty, staff, students and community members through our virtual resources and services, but we are excited to responsibly welcome back visitors in person to take advantage of the additional resources and services the library has to offer,” said Shawna Kennedy-Witthar, director of information and library resources.

As part of its reopening, Cornette unveiled newly remodeled public bathrooms and new library spaces that have been created with social distancing in mind. Additionally, visitors will be asked to wear a mask, except where exemptions apply. Masks will be provided at the front-door service desk.

Library stacks remain closed to the public, but staff will pull requested materials for checkout at the first-floor service desk.

All computer stations, tables and study carrels will be cleaned between use, and materials used in the library or returned to the building will be quarantined for three days prior to being shelved. Interlibrary Loan services also have resumed, but delivery from lending libraries may take longer than expected.

Visitors may enter the building only through the front door on the building’s east side. The south doors are now exit-only. A limit of 100 people in the library at one time will be enforced; visitors should make a reservation in advance at wtamu.libcal.com/reserve/ or at the service desk to use a computer or study room.

Cornette Library opened in 1974 to provide the University community with access to information resources and to serve as a cultural and intellectual resource for the regional community. The 100,000-square-foot facility houses about 350,000 books and bound periodicals and 650,000 government documents.

-West Texas A&M University