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CWU Libraries
Phone: 509-963-3682
libraries@cwu.edu

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What to Expect at the Libraries

Brooks Library Fall Quarter Hours

September 22 - December 10

  • Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - Midnight
  • Friday: 7:30 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - Midnight
  • Exceptions
    • Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11: 3:30 p.m. - Midnight
    • Day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 24: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    • Thanksgiving break, Thursday & Friday, November 25 & 26: Closed
    • Finals week, Monday - Thursday, December 6 - 9: 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Building Access

  • Brooks Library is open!
  • Jimmy B's Café is open! Please see CWU Dining hours for up-to-date information.
  • CWU-Lynnwood Library hours are by appointment only, both online and in-person.
  • CWU-DesMoines Library will reopen once their host campus is able to do so.
  • Libraries hours are subject to change. Check our hours page for the most up-to-date information.
  • Spaces are regularly cleaned and disinfected. 
  • Reservable study rooms are available for use at a reduced capacity. 
  • The family study space is currently unavailable.

Face coverings

In alignment with CWU policy on face coverings updated on Monday, August 16:

  • All members of the Central Washington University community who are in areas of high or substantial transmission rates must wear face coverings inside all buildings on campus; this includes individuals in Ellensburg as well as at the University Centers and Instructional Sites.
  • Library users who have forgotten their face covering may pick one up at the first floor service desk.

Ask the Libraries

Research and general library support is available through 24/7 chat assistance, virtual research consultations, and via phone and email. We’re here to help!

Instruction & Course Support

Research Support

Online research guides are available to help you explore resources specific to your discipline. See our research support page for more information and resources.

Online Collections

Remote access is available to significant digital collections including ebooks, ejournals, and streaming media, discoverable through our integrated OneSearch catalog and our subscriptions to subject databases and collections—all accessible on- and off-campus with your CWU login. We have many new and trial databases, noted on the right side of our A-Z database list, to support online learning and research.

Physical Collections

Requesting materials from CWU Libraries

CWU students, faculty, and staff may request CWU Libraries books and media from OneSearch. You can either visit the library service desk at your convenience, setup a Brooks Library curbside pickup appointment or, for users outside of Ellensburg, request that we mail items to your home address. Once your material is available, we will contact you to determine your preference. Contact libraries@cwu.edu with any questions. 

Summit & interlibrary loan

Physical item requesting through Summit and interlibrary loan and is now available. Many libraries remain closed and may be unable to lend us material, but we'll do our best to fill your request. The above pickup and delivery options are available.

Article & chapter scans

We will scan and deliver articles and book chapters from our collection and deliver them to your email within 24 hours. Find material and place requests through OneSearch. Due to copyright and administrative restrictions, we can only offer scanning of reasonable and limited portions of works.

Access to specialized collections

Music Library materials are available by request only. Please call 509-963-3682 or email libraries@cwu.edu for assistance. Music Library equipment is available in reservable study room 355 when the library is open.

Curriculum Library materials have moved from Black Hall to Brooks Library. The collection’s new home is on the fourth floor next to the Children’s Literature collection.

Due dates & late fees

Newly checked out material will have the standard loan periods applied. If you're unable to return your checked out material by the due date, please contact libraries@cwu.edu. All long-term late fees accrued during this period will be waived. Library users are responsible for overdue fees on short-term material such as laptops and course reserves. 

Returning checked-out material

Books and media, including Summit and interlibrary loan materials, may be returned to the book drop near the front entrance of Brooks Library.

Material may also be returned to the CWU-Lynnwood Library, but please first schedule an appointment. In-person appointments are available Monday - Thursday from 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

If you wish to return books and media by mail, our mailing address is: Brooks Library (mail stop 7548), 400 E University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7548. To request pre-paid return postage please email us at libraries@cwu.edu.

Returns may also be made at an Orbis Cascade Alliance member library. Please check individual library websites to confirm they are open.

If the above options are not available to you, please contact us us at 509-963-3682 or libraries@cwu.edu for additional accommodations.

Available Technology

Laptops and a variety of other materials are available at the libraries for short-term checkout. See the borrow & request page for more information.

Students looking for long-term laptop checkouts should submit a ticket with CWU Information Services (IS). IS will review requests and offer suggestions as available. The CWU Multimodal Education Center also offers a diverse lineup of multimedia equipment.

Ask Us