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

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What to Expect at the Libraries

Summer Quarter Hours

June 21 - August 20

  • Monday - Thursday: 7:30 am - 7:00 pm
  • Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Sunday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Exception: Saturday, July 3 - Monday, July 5: Closed

Building Access

Brooks Library is open!

  • 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.
  • Jimmy B's cafe will be closed for the remainder academic year. 1891 Cafe & Market, across the street from Brooks Library in Northside Commons, remains open. 
  • The Library Centers located at Des Moines and Lynnwood will reopen once their host campuses are able to do so.

Face coverings

In alignment with CWU policy on face coverings updated on 1 July 2021:

  • Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear face coverings inside university buildings or outside on the Ellensburg campus.
  • Those who are not fully vaccinated must wear face coverings on university grounds and inside university buildings, including Brooks Library.
  • Center locations will align with current host campus policies.

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

Government Publications and 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.

The Archives and Special Collections is by appointment only. Please email archive@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1717 to schedule an appointment.

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.

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 accepting returns.

Library and MEC laptops/equipment must be returned to Brooks Library. Contact us at 509-963-3682 or libraries@cwu.edu to set up a date and time.

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.

CWU Information Services offers long-term laptop checkout and the CWU Multimodal Education Center offers a diverse lineup of multimedia equipment.

Ask Us