The IWV (Ridgecrest) campus library is open 8:00am – 9:00pm Mon-Thurs, 8:00am – 12:00pm Fri. The library is not open on weekends or on college holidays or breaks. Summer hours may vary. For hours on other campuses, visit the pages for ESCC Bishop, ESCC Mammoth Lakes, or Lake Isabella/KRV.
How do I sign up to use the library?
If you are a student, you are probably already in the system. If you are not, you will need to bring a photo ID and proof of your mailing address and fill out a short form. You must be over 18 to check out materials.
Can I use the library if I'm not a student?
Yes, you can register as a community member if you are over 18. You will need a photo ID and proof of your mailing address.
Can I bring my kids and pets into the library?
Children under the age of 14 can come into the library, but only if they are supervised by a responsible adult. No pets are allowed unless they are assisting people with disabilities.
Can I eat and drink in the library?
Yes, but drinks should have lids to prevent spills and food should be contained to prevent pests, especially around the computer area. No food or drink is allowed in Room 631. (You should also be aware that strong-smelling food may attract hungry librarians.)
Can I buy books and class materials from the library?
No. With the exception of occasional book sales, the library does not sell materials. You will need to visit the bookstore (located in the Student Center in the main building) to purchase textbooks, Scantron forms, and other class materials.
Are there meeting rooms available?
Yes, there are four small study rooms available for meetings.
How can I reserve a meeting room?
If you are faculty, staff, or a student, let library staff know the date and time of your meeting and if you need a specific room. Generally study rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with the exception of any scheduled reservation(s) posted on the bulletin board for each room. Community patrons wishing to reserve a meeting room can do so for a small fee.
What are library workshops?
Library workshops are 1-hour sessions held in the library (Room 631). They cover a variety of topics, from basic research skills to citing MLA and APA format to mastering the Google search engine. The schedule is here. There is no need to register - simply show up.
Lending Materials
How do I search for books?
The best place to search for books and eBooks is the online library catalog, where you can search by title, author, subject, keyword, and more. When you find what you are looking for, make sure it is checked in at your location and write down the call number so you can find it on the shelf. You can also ask library staff for assistance.
How do I check out books?
Just bring your books up to the circulation desk and we will check them out on your account. If you are a student, your account is likely already set up. If you are not a student, bring a photo ID and we can sign you up.
How long can I keep books?
Books check out for three weeks. Magazines check out for one week. You can call or come in to renew items if you wish to keep them longer.
Can I renew my books?
Yes, you may call or come in to the library to renew your books for another three weeks. You can do this up to two times, and then you will have to bring the item back before you can check it out again. All materials should be returned by the end of the semester or they will be considered lost and a hold will be put on your account.
Does the library charge late fees?
The library does not charge late fees at this time. However, a hold will be put on your account at the Business Office until the item is brought back. If an item is returned damaged, or if it is lost or not returned at all, you will be charged a replacement fee of $35.00 per item.
How many books can I have out?
You can have 20 books checked out at one time. If you get special permission from the librarian, you may be able to check out more.
Does the library have my textbooks?
This may depend on whether or not your instructor has asked the library to put your textbook on reserve. You can look up the title in the library catalog under the "Reserve Materials" tab to see if we have it, or you can come in and ask at the circulation desk. Many textbooks are available to read, but they cannot be taken from the library.
What do "Reserve" and "Reference" mean?
Books on Reserve or in Reference can be used in the library, but they cannot be taken out of it. Reference books are located on the low shelves in the center of the library for quick and open access. Reserve books are located behind the front circulation desk because professors have requested that they be available for students to read in the library. Ask library staff for assistance with selecting reserve materials.
Can I rent videos?
The library does have some curriculum-related material that can be viewed in the library, but these items cannot be checked out and taken home unless you are faculty or staff. We have headphones and televisions that can play DVDs or VHS tapes for this purpose.
Can I request books?
Yes, you can request books. Whether a book is checked out or you want us to hold it until you get there, you can place it on hold by clicking "Request this Item". When it is available for you to pick up, we will let you know and it will be held at the front circulation desk for 48 hours.
What if the library doesn't have the book I need?
If we don't have the book or article you need for your research, we can try to obtain it through our interlibrary loan service, Document Delivery. You will need to fill out a request form, either online or in person, and submit it to us. We will let you know when we receive your item. You should be aware that the libraries lending the material determine the conditions of use, such as the amount time you can keep the book or whether or not you can renew it. While we do strive to borrow from free lenders, some libraries do charge for lending their materials and in the event that a charge is necessary to borrow an item, you will be required to pay this amount when you pick up your request.
Computers & Printing
How do I log on to the computers?
To use the computer terminals in the library, you will need your student email address (firstname.lastname@email.cerrocoso.edu is a common format) and password to log in. This email address is the same log in you would use to log into "Inside CC". If you do not have an email, ask the librarian to log you in as a community member.
Where do I get my login and password?
If you do not remember your login information, you can find it using your student ID number by logging in as "accounthelp@kccd.org" and leaving the password field blank. If you cannot remember your student ID, you will need to have your ID looked up by the LAC staff in Room 704 on the second floor of the LRC.
Who do I contact if I have trouble logging in?
If you have trouble logging on to the computer using your email, sign in under "accounthelp@kccd.org" and leaving the password blank to find your account information. If you are having trouble logging into your account, please call insideCC's 24/7 support desk at 877-382-3508. If you are having trouble accessing library online resources remotely, please see Accessing Online Resources on the library home page for more information.
Can non-students use the computers?
Yes, community members can ask library staff to log them in under community accounts. However, community members will not be able to print.
How do I check out a laptop?
Laptops can only be checked out to students and faculty who do not have any overdue or lost items on their accounts. Ask library staff at the main desk, and they will check it out under your name. You may also request a mouse or headphones. Laptops cannot leave the library and you are responsible for returning them in the same condition. You will be responsible for reimbursing the library if they are damaged or lost.
How do I access the Wi-Fi?
Select the connection named "KCCDopen". Your browser should open to a page requesting your student email address and password. If this page does not come up in Firefox, try logging in with Internet Explorer first. Community members must register with IT to use Wi-Fi through the "KCCD Hotspot" connection.
How can I print out my papers?
The computer terminals have access to a printer which will allow students to print, provided you have a Pay4Print account set up with the Business Office. Laptop computers and community accounts are not able to print.
How much does it cost to print?
It costs 10 cents per page to print from the computer terminals. You can check your Pay4Print account balance by clicking on the printer icon in the corner and logging in with your student ID number (without the @ symbol). To add money to your account, you must go to the Business Office on the first floor of the main building.
Can I print in color?
The library printer is unable to print in color at this time.
Can I make photocopies?
Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to provide photocopy services.
Research
How can I contact a reference librarian?
We recommend using the 24/7 chat link on the LRC main page. You can also email us at reference@cerrocoso.edu. If you wish to speak to a librarian, you may call the library at 760-384-6131 or visit the library whenever we are open, but please be aware that due to changing schedules, a reference librarian may not always be available to assist you.
Where can I find information on my topic?
You might begin with the library catalog, which lists both books and eBooks available for checking out or viewing online. Another useful resource is our collection of databases. We recommend starting with a multi-subject index like Academic Search Complete, but try several to see which is best suited to your topic. You can also view our collection of Web Sites by Subject, which have been evaluated by library staff for currency and usefulness. While some instructors may not want you to use web resources for research papers, these links can sometimes be a good place to start when looking for a topic overview.
What do I do if I can't find anything on my topic?
If at first you don't succeed, try different keywords! Use a thesaurus, try similar subjects, and examine keywords listed in other items for related terms. If your topic is too narrow, you may need to broaden it. If your topic is related to a specific term (for example, a medical condition), look up any variations that are used by professionals or the general public. Make a note of which seem to be used most often in case you need to redo a search elsewhere. When all else fails, ask a professor or a librarian for suggestions.
If my teacher says I can't use Google for my paper, am I limited to using books?
This will depend on your teacher, but the general answer is: Not at all! You may not be able to use web resources, but you can probably still use electronic resources, such as eBooks (found through our library catalog) or newspaper, magazine, or journal articles (check our databases). Many of these resources are simply electronic versions of print information, meaning that they are still scholarly, and will probably work for your paper. Ask your professor or a librarian if you have any questions.
How do I know if a resource is "reliable" or "scholarly"?
Reliable and scholarly resources are typically written with researchers and scholars (like yourself) in mind. They are written by specialists or experts with credentials, and frequently include a bibliography of additional sources. When searching a database, you may have the option to limit your results to articles that have been "peer reviewed," which means that they have been carefully evaluated by other scholars in the field. Keep in mind that currency can be an issue, so if you are researching a rapidly-changing topic (such as science or medicine), it is best to look for articles written within the last 5-10 years. If you are unsure about the nature of a resource, don't hesitate to ask your professor or a librarian.
What are the MLA and APA styles, and how do I cite them?
Generally speaking, these styles dictate how you format a paper and cite the research you conducted for your paper. While other subjects may use different styles, these two are the most frequently used. MLA style is commonly used to cite resources used by the humanities and literature, while APA is commonly used for social sciences and scientific subjects. The best source to consult for MLA is the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th edition), but there are a number of online resources and examples, including the Purdue Online Writing Lab. For APA, please consult the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th edition) or online resources such as the Purdue Online Writing Lab. Manuals for both MLA and APA citation styles are available on Reserve in the library.
Will you help me write my paper?
No—we can help you find some good books, articles, and websites, but you'll have to do the reading, research, and writing yourself. If you would like someone to help you develop or look over your paper, don't hesitate to visit the Learning Assistance Center, above the library in Room 704. Call 760-384-6161 for more information.
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