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How do I?: Frequently Asked Questions

What you need to succeed in the library...

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: How Do I...

Get a library card?
Use my RamCard in the library?
Find an item in the library?
Pay a fine for an overdue or lost item?
Request that the library acquire an item?
Get something from another library?
Print, fax, scan or photocopy?
Report an emergency, safety problem or problem with another user in the Library?
Find something I lost or left in the library?
Use the library computers as a guest?

 

Get a library card?

  • Your student ID# on the back of your RamCard is your library card. If you don't have a RamCard, bring a picture ID and your student schedule to Student Financial Services in Building 19, Room 288 to get one. They are open M-Th 7:30 am- 7:00 pm. F 7:30 am-5:00 pm.
  • Library cards are good for the entire academic year (September to May).
  • You must be enrolled in summer classes to use library resources after the end of May.
  • Faculty and staff RamCards are updated as a courtesy every September.

Use my RamCard in the library?

While in the STCC library, your RamCard lets you:

  • Borrow circulating and reserve materials including chromebooks, hotspots, and books.
  • Pick up items on hold for you (you have seven days to pick up your items).

Off campus, your RamCard lets you:

  • Access library resources off campus such as databases for articles, films on demand, and ebooks.
  • Open an e-book from our catalog.
  • Borrow materials from another HELM library.
  • Manage your library account.
  • Pay a fine or make a contribution to the library's funds.

Find an item in the library?

  • First, determine the FORMAT of the item (book, cd, dvd, etc.) you are seeking. If you want to browse, visit 
    • the STACKS on the second and third floor for circulating books arranged by Library of Congress call numbers.
    • the REFERENCE AREA on the second floor for reference items such as style guides, dictionaries, and select professional manuals.
    • the JUVENILE section on the third floor for children's and young adult books.
    • the second floor for fiction, manga, new arrivals, and special displays. 
  • To find something you identified through our catalog,  you can take a picture of the information with your smart phone OR write down the:
    • Library of Congress call number, identified in the catalog record.
      • These are alphanumeric combinations which you will find on the SPINES of most items.
      • Appearing in a single line in the catalog read out like this:
        • HC106.6.G35 1971 (Library of Congress Call number)
        • PS3568.O855.P56 2004
      • On actual books, though, the call number looks like this:

 
  • There are some items with BROWSABLE call numbers, like these:
    • PIC S (Picture book call number) 
    • PC (author's last name) and PC Non-fiction 
  • Get the shelving information
  • And, check the item's status
  • Shelving Locations that appear in the library's catalog are:
    • Stacks (second or third floor)
    • Juvenile (third floor)
    • Reserve (behind circulation)

Pay a fine for an overdue or lost item?

  • Visit the circulation desk to pay for lost or overdue items.
  • Students will be prevented from registering or obtaining transcripts if library charges are not settled.

Request that the library acquire an item?

  • Suggestions can be submitted by email to stcclibrary@stcc.edu or by filling out a STCC Library Purchase Request Form found on the Faculty Services page.
  • All library users are welcome to suggest items that should be added to the collections by submitting recommendations at the circulation desk.
  • Fill out the purchase request form on the Faculty Services Page.

Get something from another library?

  • If the STCC Library doesn't have what you need, and you can tell from the catalog that it's in another library, you can request that the item be sent from that other library. We will call you when it arrives.
  • If you can tell from the catalog that none of the HELM libraries has the item you need, come to the reference desk for Interlibrary Loan assistance (the process that lets libraries lend each other materials outside of local networks) or fill out an ILL request form.  Please note: this can take 8+ work days.       

Print, fax, scan or photocopy?  

  • Students should sign into computers using their STCC Account username & password. For more information on the campus' print management system for students, please visit Printing for Students.
  • Guests can be logged into computers at the Computer Help Desk and are expected to pick up and pay for their copies (B&W only) at the Circulation Desk.
  • Costs are 10 cents a page for black and white whether you are copying or printing. Color printing is not available for guests.
  • The charge for double sided copies is 15 cents.
  • Cover sheets are available for faxes next to the copier.
  • Faxes can be sent only within the United States.
  • The library fax does not accept return faxes.
  • Both library printers have scan to email capabilities. Documents will be scanned to .pdf format.
  • Wireless printing from your own device can be completed here and completed by logging in with your STCC Account username & password.

Report an emergency, safety problem or problem with another user in the Library?

  • For non-emergency concerns please come to a service desk on the second floor of the library.
  • You can call 755-4845, 755-4549 or campus police at 755-3911 if there is a safety emergency.

Find something I lost or left in the library?

  • The computer help desk holds electronic items (flashdrives, earphones, etc.)
  • Other lost items are held at by the reference desk. Call 755-4549.
  • Sensitive items such as wallets or cell phones are typically held until the end of the day and then turned into Campus Police (Building 9). You can retrieve your items 24/7.
  • Items that are not claimed are discarded at the end of a term.

Use the library computers as a guest?

  • Guests may use the library computers at the discretion of library staff.
  • Guest access is limited to after 1:30 p.m. during the week. This time is subject change based on student need.