University-wide policy can be found at http://www.yale.edu/snow. New this year is a Yale inclement weather message at 203-432-SNOW (203-432-7669).

The purpose of this policy is to specify what services will be provided across the university library system when Yale University’s extreme weather policy is in effect. Under that policy the following conditions are possible, with associated minimum reader services: 

a)   Governor declares a state of emergency and orders everyone to stay off of the roads, or there is a major catastrophe in a specific building (fire, flood, tornado).  

No library service; libraries are closed.

b)   Yale University declares extreme weather condition, and dismisses all non-essential staff early. Clerical and technical staff who are designated essential are paid at time and a half.  

Designated libraries (SML/CCL, Medical, Kline, SSLIS/Mudd, Beinecke, Divinity, Law, and Art and Architecture) will maintain regularly scheduled hours, and will offer basic circulation services (checking materials out and receiving returns) with appropriate provisions for security.

c)   Yale University declares extreme weather conditions, but indicates that staff who leave early must use personal or vacation (annual) leave. All non-essential staff are permitted to leave early, but those remaining do not receive additional pay.

All libraries will maintain regular hours. When classes are not in session, some libraries may adopt reduced hours with the approval of the University Librarian, the Associate University Librarian for Reader Services, or the appropriate school or department librarian.

Essential circulation services (checking out materials and receiving returns) will continue in all units that offer them. Other circulation services will be curtailed during the emergency period, processing only as staff are available (e.g., paging, billing queries, stack searching).

Shelving returned items will be processed as staffing permits. Returns and new arrivals will be pre-sorted and organized for accessibility in staging areas whenever possible.

Basic information assistance, including catalog assistance, ready reference, and telephone assistance will continue from designated libraries (SML, Medical, Kline, SSLIS/Mudd, Beinecke, Divinity, Law and Art and Architecture) as normal. Information and reference assistance will be offered from other units only as staffing permits.

Access to ORBIS, electronic resources, and the library web sites will be maintained.

Procedures:

1.  Use voicemail, web notice, and signage to announce changes in services and to direct users to appropriate service location.

2.  Develop a list of staff within individual units who are designated to provide essential services.

3.  Identify and train a library-wide, central pool of staff who can provide essential services from a location other than their home unit.

4.  Activate the email/telephone tree to communicate changes in services during campus-declared emergencies.