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COVID-19 Updates


COVID-19 Updates

Last update: October 4, 2022

Masks now recommended at the library

Starting Monday September 26, 2022, the Eccles Library as a designated a Non-Health Care Setting, will loosen masking requirements. Masking policies will be based on the CDC COVID -19 Community Level. Since there is no patient care in our buildings, masking would only be required if the COVID-19 metric used for the general community is at a higher level. To see the latest on masking policies, visit Pulse (UNID log in required).


Resuming Normal Service Hours Starting March 7,  Monday-Friday, 7am-6pm

Starting Monday March 7, 2022, the Eccles Library will resume normal service hours to Mon-Fri 7am-6pm. Health Sciences Students will still have 24/7 ucard access to the building.

Mask requirements:

Until further notice, employees, patients, and visitors are required to wear a mask within all our Hospitals and Clinics sites (includes medical academic).

  • While safety protocols for the general public are loosening in many communities, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has set higher standards in health care settings. That’s why our requirements differ from those in other public settings.

If you need library assistance, we are still here to help!


Last update: January 21, 2022

Temporarily Reducing Service Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Starting Monday January 24, 2022, the Eccles Library will be temporarily reducing service hours to Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

Health Sciences Students will still have 24/7 ucard access to the building.

If you need library assistance, we are still here to help!


Last update: January 19, 2022

COVID-19 Self-Serve Testing Machine has Moved to School of Medicine

The Eccles Health Sciences Library testing location has moved to the School of Medicine A (first floor, south entrance to building 521). A valid Ucard is required to enter through the south entrance.

The School of Medicine site is currently for employees, staff, faculty and students who work or have clinical duties at the University Hospital or University Hospital based clinics. If you belong to one of these groups and your badge is not letting you in, contact Dustin.Banks@hsc.utah.edu

If you are not able to access this site or supplies are not available, please visit coronavirus.utah.edu/selftest to view one of our many alternative sites on campus. The two closest to this location are:

Self Serve at Peterson Heritage Center151 S Connor St, Salt Lake City, UT 84112

  • Pick up kit at front desk – Hours: always open
  • Drop off kit at red drop box by front desk

Staff-Assisted Testing Site: Commander’s House – 1965 De Trobriand Street, Building 620, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112

  • Asymptomatic AND Symptomatic testing available.
  • Testing available to faculty, staff, students, and household members by appointment only. Schedule here.
  • Free short-term parking

View all self-testing locations: https://alert.utah.edu/covid/testing/selftest/


Last update: January 7, 2022

Salt Lake County Mask Mandate Order

Effective: January 8 to February 7
This order was rescinded January 21, 2022

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson signed a public health order Friday evening that Dr. Angela Dunn, the executive director of the Salt Lake County Health Department, issued earlier in the day. The order requires people, regardless of vaccination status, to wear “well-fitting masks” when indoors or gathering in large groups outdoors in Salt Lake County.

People younger than 2 years old and people with medical conditions, impairments or disabilities that prevent the ability to wear a mask would be exempt, according to the order. Anyone who works alone or works in a field where a mask would hamper work is also possibly exempt, as is anyone seated at a restaurant or bar that is actively eating or drinking.

Read the Order: Salt Lake County Public Health Order


Spring 2022 Semester Updates

Spring 2022 Return to Campus Town Hall
On January 7, 2022 a town hall meeting on COVID-19 protocols was held online.

Note that the comments in this town hall regarding mask mandates were made before the Salt Lake County public health order requiring masks. This order applies to the University of Utah.

The new omicron coronavirus variant is unknown at this time, but we will continue to follow the wise guidance of our U of U Health colleagues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and our Salt Lake County and Utah State Health Departments. We strongly encourage all members of our campus community and our visitors to complete the two-shot COVID vaccination cycle and get their booster shots—they are the best protection against serious coronavirus infection and hospitalization. Weekly vaccination clinics will continue this spring at the Union Building. At the same time, we urge everyone on campus to follow public health guidelines for social distancing and masking.

This spring semester, frequent and comprehensive testing will be our most helpful tool in tracking and containing the spread of this new variant on campus. Our public health team has made it even easier for members of the campus community to find out if they have contracted COVID. Along with regular testing clinics, beginning on Jan. 10“self-serve” saliva tests will be available to any student, faculty or staff member at several locations across campus, including Housing and Residential Education (HRE) buildings, libraries, several colleges and the Union Building. No appointments are necessary. Tests will be collected twice a day.

For more information about picking up a test, visit the university’s coronavirus webpage.

Attached, you also will find our updated Instructional Guidelines. These include standard syllabus language for:

  • Masking, vaccination and testing
  • Isolating and quarantining following classroom exposures
  • Shifting from in-person to online coursework, lectures and exams
  • Mental health resources
  • ADA accommodations

Reminder:  U of U Health masking policies still require masks in all UHealth facilities, including academic facilities like Eccles Health Sciences Education Building (EHSEB) and the Eccles Health Sciences Library (EHSL).

For the latest information from UHealth, please visit: https://healthcare.utah.edu/coronavirus/
Learn more about the updated Universal Face Covering (Masking) and Eye Protection Policy by clicking on the links below:

Thank you for your continued diligence with masking and for recognizing our responsibility to protect our patients and each other.

ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF

For latest regulations, news, and testing information and appointments: https://coronavirus.utah.edu/
Find additional testing locations, visit the state’s coronavirus site at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locations/
U of U Health faculty and staff with COVID-19 symptoms or confirmed exposure should call work Wellness at 801-581-2227 (select option 1) before returning to work.

COVID-19 Vaccine & BOOSTER Availability

Get the most current information for the COVID-19 Vaccination through the University of Utah Health.


Eccles Library Services Updates

This page contains relevant information related to the Eccles Health Sciences Library current operations and response to the COVID-19 pandemic including updates to operations, access to online resources, and other helpful links.

Library Hours

Contact Us

2022 Holiday closures & reduced hours

Closures Date
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday, January 17
Presidents’ Day Monday, February 21
Memorial Day Monday, May 30
Independence Day Monday, July 4
Pioneer Day (observed) Monday, July 25
Labor Day Monday, September 5
Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 24
Day after Thanksgiving Friday, November 25
Christmas Day (observed) Monday, December 26

Hope Fox Eccles Health Library (HFEHL)


Accessing Collections


Search our catalog for electronic and physical resources. If the item you are interested is available as an electronic copy, the e-version will be supplied to you in place of the physical copy. Email us with the title, author, and year of publication of the item(s) you are interested in or call 801-581-5534.

Research & Instruction Support


We will continue to support requests for new electronic materials to be added to course reserve during the closure period, and we will be able to fulfill requests for document delivery electronically during this period as well. If you have questions, please contact ehsl-reference@lists.utah.edu regarding course reserve or regarding interlibrary loan and document delivery.

  • Off Campus Access – Most library resources are available to current University students, faculty and staff from home or other remote locations. Login with your uNID and get easy access to library resources — article databases, e-journals, and e-books.
  • Research Databases A to Z – We offer access to thousands of books, articles, images, charts, and primary sources for all your research and project needs.
  • Online Journals
  • Research Guides are available to assist you with research, information, and reference

Study Rooms


Due to COVID-19, we ask all occupants to keep their masks on while using our study rooms. Study rooms available for use are: 27, 29, 30 and 006 (lower level) and we ask that occupancy stay below two (2) people. To make a reservation, please request a room here.

Tree of Hippocrates Education Studio


The Tree of Hippocrates Education Studio is opening on a reservation-only basis August 3. THE Studio will be open for reservations Monday – Friday, 9am – 3pm. Library patrons may reserve THE Studio in advance here.

THE Studio COVID-19 Guidelines

  • NO ENTRY for those with COVID-19 symptoms in the last 48 hours
  • ONE (1) person limit within the THE Studio
  • 6-FOOT distancing
  • WASH HANDS upon entry and exit to and from the space

Before and after every studio session, library and custodial staff will perform a full cleaning of THE Studio’s equipment and space.

U Libraries COVID-19 Guidance


We are working to ensure the University of Utah teaching and learning experience remains exceptional. As we continue to support remote teaching and learning, we are developing a phased approach to reopening and resuming access to in-person services when it is safe to do so.