Services

Policies

Library Privileges

Current students are registered automatically for library privileges. No cards are issued. Students will key in their own MyESCC usernames in order to check out books and media. Community members who wish to register for library privileges will need identification that includes a photo and local address.

Check-Out Period, Renewals, Holds

The check-out period is 28 days for books and a maximum of 30 books for students, 15 for community, may be checked out. Patrons may renew books one time, as long as no other patron has requested those titles. Holds may be placed on items checked out, and patrons will be notified as soon as they become available. Students may renew books and place holds online by logging into Primo with their MyESCC usernames and passwords.

Reserve Materials and eReaders

Often instructors place materials on reserve at the Circulation Desk. Check-out periods for those vary. Some faculty members use Library eReaders for their reserve materials. (A driver’s license must be presented at the time of checkout and will be held until the eReader is checked back in.)

Fees for Late or Lost Materials

The Library does not charge fines for overdue materials. If a student has overdue materials, two reminders are issued by college email. After those notices are sent, students will be billed $50 per item. Additional items may not be checked out by anyone owing fees or having overdue material. Bills not paid promptly will be forwarded to the Virginia Set-Off Debt Program for deduction from future state income tax returns. With financial obligations noted on students’ records, they will not be issued degrees, diplomas, certificates, or transcripts. Also, those students may not register for classes.

Computer Privileges

Students log in to Library computers with the MyESCC usernames and passwords they use for computer labs. Community patrons may sign up at the Circulation Desk for one 1-hour session per day.

Copiers, Scanners, and Printers

A coin-op copier is available for copying personal and reference information at 10 cents per page. Free scanning service is also available to both students and community members.  Use of computer printers is free for students. Community members may make up to 10 free computer copies per day.

Interlibrary Loan

For registered ESCC students and faculty, the Library staff will borrow materials from other libraries. Contact staff or submit a request using the Interlibrary Loan Request Form. Please allow time for processing and mailing.

Media

The Library provides programs, equipment, and services to support college and community needs. Students may check out programs and equipment for course-related use.  The loan period for AV programs is one week. Equipment also may be borrowed by local business, industry, and community organizations. Requests must be scheduled in advance.

Distance Education

The ESCC Distance Education program is fully supported by the Library. Students have access to the same library services as well as the same borrowing privileges.

All students participating in distance education classes are encouraged to take advantage of Library facilities, services, resources and electronic reference assistance. Off-campus access to information literacy tutorials and more than 20,000 full-text periodicals, 100 databases, and 50,000 E-books is available.

Noise

Patrons who wish to talk or study together are encouraged to use the student lounge or empty classrooms. Anyone who is being disturbed should contact a Library staff member.

Cell Phones

Patrons are encouraged to take personal calls outside the Library.

Food and Beverages

Everyone is asked to refrain from eating and drinking (open containers, paper or plastic cups) in the Library.

Children

Children under the age of 16 are not allowed in the Library unless they are under the immediate supervision of a parent or other adult. Children may not use Library computers, even when accompanied by a parent or adult.

VCCS Cooperation

Virginia Community College System Learning Resources Centers participate in many collaborative library projects.

• Databases A – Z
• LRCLive
• Library Websites
• QuickSearch

Other Virginia Cooperative Projects

VIVA – the Virtual Library of Virginia, a consortium of 39 state-assisted, 32 independent, non-profit Virginia colleges and universities, and the Library of Virginia, provides enhanced shared online access to library and information resources and an efficient interlibrary loan system. It is sponsored by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and supported by the Commonwealth of Virginia General Assembly.

VTC – Virginia Tidewater Consortium, a cooperative borrowing program, allows ESCC students and faculty to visit and check out materials from all Consortium libraries.