Library FAQ

All students and staff at ECC, as well as any residents (18 years or older) of our district (Community College District #509), are eligible for borrowing privileges. A physical ID is required to check out physical library materials (e.g. books, DVDs, etc.).  Once you get your ID from Student Life, you can to come to the Library Circulation Desk to register your barcode. You can also register online using the following form.

Community Borrower Library Card Procedure

For off-campus access, you sign in with your ECC username and password, as if you are logging into AccessECC or D2L. If you are already signed into AccessECC or D2L, you will not need to sign in again. You do not need to activate your library barcode in order to sign in to library databases  and eBooks from off campus.

If you have any questions about your library card, please contact the Circulation Desk at 847-214-7337.

If you are a student or staff and are having issues logging into the databases or eBooks, please contact the Reference Desk at 847-214-7354.

 

Students, faculty and staff may access the databases and eBooks off-campus with their AccessECC ID and password. The exception is Palace Project; you need to register your Student ID barcode to access that database. Here are instructions for downloading the Palace Project App.

Community patrons do not have off-campus access to the databases.

Generally, the 2nd floor of the library is the Quiet floor. 

Study rooms in the library cannot be reserved; they are “checked out” on a first come, first served basis for three-hour increments. 

 

Currently the library has three networked black and white laser printers available for student use (2 in the downstairs C119 computer lab and 1 upstairs). The library does not charge for printing but does limit printing to 15 pages.

See this FAQ for color printing options.

When a Student Lab Aide is unavailable, please see the librarian at the Reference Desk or staff at the Circulation Desk.

The two databases below will provide a good starting point for exploring the pros/cons of a topic. If you topic is history related, try Issues & Controversies in History.

Opposing Viewpoints

Issues & Controversies

 

Database and eBook access is available on-campus to everyone. However, only registered students, faculty and staff may access the databases off-campus using their AccessECC ID and password.

Circulation Desk: circdesk@elgin.edu
Reference Desk: libref@elgin.edu

Student Network Computers are located in the center of the first and second floor of the library and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, priority is given to students doing academic work.  Internet, word processing and networked software are available. Downloading of programs is prohibited. Students are advised to bring a flash drive to the library if they will need to save material. Campus computer use guidelines are enforced.

Community members can use the computers with a 2 hour pass--contact the Circulation Desk (847-214-7337) for more information and to obtain your pass.

 

 

If your Student ID is expired, then your library card is expired. You can obtain a new Student ID from Student Life if you are a current student.

If you have questions about using your Student ID/Library card beyond the expiration date, please contact the Circulation Desk at 847-214-7337.

The Academic Library and Learning Resources Center is located in Building C. Short term parking is located just outside the Library's front entrance.

Campus maps and driving directions

To search for psychology articles in the PsycArticles database:

• Go to the library website.
• Click on Articles.
• Click on "A" for APA PsycArticles
• Click on APA PsycArticles
• Type in your search and click on Search.

 

 

Color copies are available for $.20 cents/side. Copies can be paid for with cash. See the Student Lab Aide for assistance.

Black and white copies are $.15 cents/side.

Your Student ID serves as your library card.  Your library card will expire when your student ID expires.  For example, if your ID was issued on 10/12/2023, your ID AND your library card will expire on 10/12/2026. 

Articles from the periodicals may be available on one of our online subscription databases. The reference librarians can assist you in determining which databases may include the periodical you need.  You can also check our Publication Finder for the journal title. Articles may also be available through Interlibrary Loan.

 

Yes, wireless access is available for anyone who wishes to bring their own laptop or mobile device. Electronic devices that allow WiFi connectivity such as a laptop computer, smartphone, or tablet can connect to 'hotspots' in the library to gain Internet access. An e-mail address is required or AccessECC username and password is available for log-in. The library staff is not able to troubleshoot problems accessing the wireless network. 

Check first to see if your item is available by searching I-Share. If not, we will request the material from another library, called Interlibrary Loan, and it will be sent to the ECC Library for you to pick up. In most cases, there is no charge and the material is generally here within a week to ten days. If the other library assigns a charge, we will contact you before ordering it.

The student network computers include Microsoft Office which has Word. To access Word, go to the Start menu, choose Programs, click on Microsoft Office and then select Word. Please see the Student Lab Aide for Assistance.

If a Student Lab Aide is unavailable, please see the librarian at the Reference Desk or staff at the Circulation Desk.

Refer to the website for up to date information on hours and closures.

Circulation Desk (847) 214-7337
Reference Desk (847) 214-7354 
Interlibrary Loan (847) 214-7354

 

Your Student ID serves as your library card.  Your library card will expire when your student ID expires.  For example, if your ID was issued on 10/12/2023, your ID AND your library card will expire on 10/12/2026. 

Renner Academic Library and Learning Resources
Building C
Elgin Community College
1700 Spartan Drive Elgin
Elgin, Illinois 60123 USA