Gerstein Building Spaces and On-Site Services 2021-2022

On this page: Guidelines & procedures  |  Prepare for Your Library Visit  |  Available spaces and services  |  Other spaces  |  Floor plans (coming soon)  |  Virtual Tour

See also: Copy, print, scan at Gerstein  |  Wifi and computer - general information  |  Copy, print, scan - general procedures  |  Other U of T Libraries study spaces

Guidelines and procedures

• Open to current U of T students, staff, and faculty
• Physically-distanced study spaces and computer workstations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Booking is not required.
• There is no time limit
• There will be signage to show which seats and tables are available, and the maximum number of people per table or room
• Computer workstations and tables without chairs should not be used
• Face masks are required and must be worn indoors. Please review the University's policy on non-medical masks or face coverings and information on proper usage of masks.
• Library staff wear masks, and public-facing service points have plexiglass barriers
• Hand sanitizer is available for users
• Physical distancing protocols are in place, with 2-metre (6-feet) spaced decals posted on the ground; arrows and signs show where to walk and stand to maintain distance from others
• More information on library health and safety measures

Prepare for Your Library Visit

1) Provide proof of vaccination & complete online symptom screening

• All members of our community who come to U of T campuses in Fall 2021 – including use of library spaces – must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
• They are expected to: 1) have their first dose by September 13 and 2) have their second dose by October 15
• This requirement aligns with the recent recommendations of the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health for post-secondary institutions in Ontario and the sector’s response
• Proof of vaccination must be uploaded to UCheck – our online self-assessment tool.
• The vaccine declaration & upload system will be available the week of September 6th – please retain all vaccination records in preparation
• Individuals awaiting for their final vaccine dose, or who have received a University-approved exemption, must participate in the University’s rapid screening program and may be subject to additional safety measures. More information on this process coming soon

2) Bring your TCard & show your UCheck screen

• Anyone entering Gerstein must scan in with their TCard*
• They must also show a green UCheck screen, which verifies their risk status
• There are two ways that individuals can complete the required self-assessment and generate a risk status:
  • By using UCheck
  • By completing a a paper-based or offline self-assessment log

(*If you don't have a TCard yet: You can show the email confirmation of your TCard office appointment instead*).

Available Spaces & Services

Study Spaces |  Remote Zone  |  Group Study Rooms  |  Study Carrels  |  Public Service Desk

Building Spaces & On-site Services

As of Sept 7, 2021:

• Access is for current U of T students, faculty, and staff only
• Regular fall hours are in operation
• All 5 floors will be open with reduced capacity, including study space and computers
• Group study rooms can be reserved, with limited capacity
• Book and journal stacks are open
• Course reserves are available at the Short Term Loan Desk
• LIRA workstations and study space for non-U of T visitors are not available

• More information coming soon!

Study Spaces

• More study spaces on all 5 floors are open with reduced capacity, including access to essential technology (computers and wifi)

Remote Zone (New!)

• Space for students to join online classes from campus is available on a first come-first served basis at in the Wallace Room (1st floor)

Group study rooms

• NOW OPEN! - Group Study Rooms on various floors can be reserved, with limited capacity (max. 2 people/room; Room 2000 has max. 6 people/room)

Study Carrels

• Coming soon in Fall 2021 - Graduate Study Carrels will be available to reserve, with reduced capacity (max. 1 person/carrel)

Public Service Desk

• NOW OPEN! - staff are on-site to answer directional questions, up-to-date news about services, and provide basic research help 

Other Spaces

MADLab  |  Reflection Room  |  Green Beet Cafe

MADLab

• The Mobile Application Development Lab (MADLab) remains closed. On-site 3D printing and VR equipment are not available.
• For more help about available remote support for app development & distribution, 3D printing, VR, and limited on-demand 3D printing services for research or academic projects, contact mad.lab[at]utoronto.ca

Reflection Room

•  The regular room remains closed, but a temporary reflection space is available (George Connell space, in area between stairs to 2nd floor and Morrison Pavilion)
• Max. capacity is 3 people at a time

Green Beet Cafe

• The cafe remains closed. However, the seating area will reopen in Sept 2021.

Floor plans of open/closed spaces and services - coming soon!

Gerstein Science Information Centre Virtual Tour - Fall 2020

Check out our new virtual tour* to:

• see what spaces have safely reopened and are accessible during our partial reopening 
• find out how you can currently get virtual help from our staff
• get a sneak peek of what else the library has to offer, once we're able to fully reopen