Administrative Services Policies: Emergency Closing

Emergency Closing and Early Release

MIT Wide

When the Institute announces an Emergency Closing or Early Release for weather or any other emergency-related reason, the Libraries will also close. Unstaffed 24-hour library spaces (Barker, Hayden, Dewey) will remain accessible, as will online access to library information resources through http://libraries.mit.edu. 

Documentation and resources:

• Institute Policy (includes full information on payroll considerations and the excused lateness policy)
• Snow Emergencies and Street Cleaning (MIT Facilities)
• MIT homepage
• Emergency information website (emergency.mit.net)
• Social media (@MITPrepared)
• Emergency Info Line 617-253-7669 (SNOW)
• MIT Status for power/internet issues
• Staff can sign up for text notifications of emergencies on campus
• There is the emergency ride system available to staff evenings and weekends, for those unable to drive or use their usual mode of transportation

MIT Libraries closures

In addition, there are times when Libraries Administration will need to make Libraries-specific closure decisions (if weather events will impact evening or weekend staff when MIT would not curtail operations).            

For weather events, indicators/considerations that might lead to such a decision are:

• Timing of event
• Type of weather event (7News, CBS4)
• Official Boston/Cambridge city requests for people to stay at home, including state of emergency announcements
• Reduced public transit status, parking bans, or other roadway limitations/closures
• Staff members in any department with concerns about weather, events, or travel may raise them with the department head for ID&LA, who will consult with the AD for ACE.  
• Notification of staff for full, Libraries-only closures will be sent approximately 2 hours before the start of normal staff arrival times:

• 6:30 AM for normal weekday operations
• 1:30 PM for evening shifts
• 9:00 AM for weekend day operations

Phased openings & Closings

In these cases where the Institute and Libraries are open, but travel may be difficult, the Libraries’ policy orders priority of open facilities as follows. Staff in the Library Annex, Resource Sharing and Delivery should report to their normal locations, but may be asked to help opening locations if needed:

For detailed procedures, staff should consult Libraries Public Services Documentation.