Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery

Update on Library Services for Fall 2020

Updated 10/21/2020

The Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery will provide virtual and contactless services for the Fall 2020 semester. The Library and Gallery building will remain closed to users to ensure the safety of our staff and community.

We have been offering since closure March 13:

• A robust collection of electronic resources, including ebooks, databases, journals, research guides, and more, all available from your device. Get started here: https://library.umbc.edu/researchhelp.php

• Virtual research appointments and “Ask a Librarian” chat service with our librarians (https://library.umbc.edu/makearesearchappt) and archivists (https://library.umbc.edu/speccoll/research.php)

• Purchasing additional electronic books and streaming media. Contact your subject librarian (https://library.umbc.edu/makearesearchappt or send a request directly to libraryacq@umbc.edu. 

• Providing electronic Course Reserves, with scans of book chapters, journal articles, and archival materials from UMBC Library collections. For information on how to submit your requests via Blackboard visit: https://library.umbc.edu/reserves/

• We’ve added a Virtual Study Room where you can work alongside fellow Retrievers for a focused study environment: https://lib.guides.umbc.edu/virtualstudyroom

Beginning July 20:

• Scanning of book chapters, journal articles, and archival materials from UMBC library collections, as well as purchasing individual journal articles, all for electronic delivery. Submit your request via Interlibrary Loan: https://umbc.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/logon.html. Chapter and article delivery from partner libraries may vary as conditions change. 

Beginning August 17:

• Contactless checkout and return of books and media, including physical library materials from UMBC and, to as great an extent as possible, from our library partners in the University of Maryland System. Details forthcoming at https://library.umbc.edu/circulation#borrow. Interlibrary borrowing for books and media from partners outside of USM will resume as conditions permit. Click here for a map of book return bin locations on campus.

• Contactless checkout and return of digital media equipment, laptops, and accessories. Details forthcoming at https://library.umbc.edu/circulation#borrow.

• Virtual information literacy and library instruction sessions and research workshops. Contact the subject librarian for your department to submit a request: https://library.umbc.edu/makearesearchappt

For up to date information on our services and resources, consult the Library & Gallery website, https://library.umbc.edu/, or our myUMBC page: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/library

Hello UMBC community and Retriever Essentials Partners,

My name is Rebecca Ferguson and I am the third and final CCMA AmeriCorps UMBC VISTA for Retriever Essentials. I am so excited to introduce myself as the program’s newest team member! I will be working as the Program Coordinator and will be responsible for administrative, marketing, and management processes that will ultimately build the capacity of the program to grow sustainably beyond my year of service. 

I first became a part of the UMBC community as an undergrad in 2017, and recently graduated with a B.A. in Geography and Environmental Systems in December 2019. While a student, I engaged with the community as an SGA Environmental Branch leader and as a board member of The Garden club. My passion for sustainable food security led me to begin training as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia after graduation, however, I was shortly evacuated due to Covid-19 concerns. This shift in my plans has now become an opportunity to serve my community a little closer to home. As a previous student who greatly benefited from the necessary work that Retriever Essentials does, I am honored and excited to be serving the UMBC community in the capacity of this Americorps position.

I also want to thank you, the entire UMBC community, for your unwavering support for the organization, especially during these challenging times. Due to the pandemic,  eliminating food insecurity presents further challenges and requires us to re-assess the ways in which we can build a closer community while remaining distant. Even through all the changes we are experiencing, the health of our community has always been essential. My hope is that my service year will culminate in Retriever Essentials’ increased ability to provide a variety of health-related resources, especially local, healthy, fresh food and “on-going support networks, in order to enhance students’ academic success and retention”. 

Retriever Essentials could not have transformed from one person handing out groceries from the trunk of her car to the pillar of the community, as it stands today, without extensive community support and collaborative efforts. As the last VISTA volunteer, I am seeking to “work myself out of a job” so they say. It is through collaborations and lasting partnerships that this absolutely essential program will continue to thrive. I look forward to building upon the previous VISTA volunteers’ work and connecting with each of you in the near future to discuss how we can support one another. Please feel free to reach out at retrieveressentials@umbc.edu or rebferg1@umbc.edu!

Joint Transgender and Gender Non-Binary (TGNB) Health Statement

Counseling Center

University Health Services

Women’s Center

Campus Life’s Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Centers

We celebrate the monumental ruling from the Supreme Court on June 15, 2020 that upholds protections for the LGBTQ+ community against discrimination in the workplace. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited and this ruling declares that this includes discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

At the same time, we are deeply troubled by new Federal guidelines that place limitations on non-discrimination protections in healthcare by removing the inclusion of transgender and gender non-binary (TGNB) individuals. We are troubled not only by the ruling, but also the fact that these decisions were made during Pride Month, on the fourth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre, and in the midst of both a global pandemic and a movement to defend and affirm Black lives. 

The erasure of these healthcare rights for TGNB people can significantly impact their access to health insurance, resources, and providers, making it more likely for them to experience inequities and unfair treatment in healthcare. Moreover, these guidelines do not align with UMBC’s commitment to inclusive excellence. We feel it is essential to reaffirm our support of the trans and non-binary communities at UMBC.

We want to assure our UMBC community that, regardless of this change at the federal level, Maryland state law protects healthcare access (including insurance coverage) for transgender and gender non-binary people. Other states may not have the same protections. UMBC students who have out-of-state health insurance that might not be as inclusive can select our student health insurance to be covered in Maryland. 

The Counseling Center and University Health Services are available for questions, support, and guidance around getting your healthcare needs addressed in an inclusive and affirming manner. The Women's Center and The Mosaic, Interfaith, and Pride Centers will also continue to hold steadfast in our commitment to providing support services and educational programs, and will advocate for trans and non-binary community members' well-being and belonging. 

Your identities are valid. Always. You are deserving of equitable and affirming care. Always.

We see you. We believe you. You matter. Always.

We also offer the following non-exhaustive list of local resources as options for affirming care in the areas of physical and mental health, legal support, housing and food security, and community advocacy:

Free State Justice

Trans Healthcare Maryland

Chase Brexton Health Care

The Pride Center of MD

Hearts and Ears, Inc.

Joy Baltimore

Center for Black Equity (LGBTQ Focus)

On Campus Resources Include:

Counseling Center: The Trans Support Group is a group for transgender, non-binary, gender nonconforming, and gender questioning students. The group is discussion based with topics based on group consensus, with flexibility to explore current issues faced by group members. Look out for recorded webinars based on the Trans Support Group as well as news regarding Trans Support Group in the Fall semester.

LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Association 

LGBTQ Student Union and the Queer and Trans People of Color (QPOC) Student Org 

Office of Equity and Inclusion

The Mosaic, Interfaith and Pride Centers

University Health Services

Women’s Center: Spectrum is a discussion group for community members who identify as trans, genderqueer, gender fluid, outside of the gender binary, and/or those who are questioning their gender identity. Spectrum will begin meeting virtually again in the Fall.