• What does "Beshbito" mean at GCC North?


• What are the hours of operation of the library? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• Who is John F. Prince?

• Can I borrow books from ASU West Library?


• What is my borrower ID and pin#? 


• Can I borrow books from Glendale Public Library GPL?


• Can I get videos from other libraries on interlibrary loan?


• How do I get books from other libraries? Periodical articles?


• How many books can I borrow and for how long? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• Can students enrolled in non-credit classes check out books?


• Can I renew my books online?


• Can videos be checked out?

• How do I write a citation for "this" in MLA / APA format? (book, article, document, etc.)

• Does the library have a "rare book room"? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• How can I locate books in the library? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• How can I use the catalog? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• Is there an area where I can browse to locate current fiction and non-fiction books? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• Does the library have e-books?


• Does the library have a recorded music collection? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]

• Where can I get information on the artwork in the library?


• How can I find information about other colleges?


• What disability services do GCC libraries offer?


• Where can I or my campus organization post announcement flyers in the library?


• Can I get erasers and markers for the whiteboards in the study rooms?


• Does the LMC have a photocopy service? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• Can I get some help with a PowerPoint Presentation?


• Where are the restrooms?


• Where can I find scholarship and financial aid information?


• Do you have study carrels in the LMC? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• Do you have private study rooms or group study rooms?


• Do you have typewriters or word processors in the library?

• How do I access my library account? What can I do there?


• Can I access library databases from home?


• How can I use the computers in the Computer Commons (lab area in the libraries)? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• Is there someplace on campus where I can use the computers when the library is closed?


• What is the eGCC account and how do I activate it?


• How can I get some basic instruction about using the library? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• Do you have laptop computers I can use? Are there data ports I can use with your laptop or my own?


• How do community members get a library card?


• How do students get a library card?


• How do I validate my library card?


• How do I learn basic library terminology?


• Does the library have wireless access?

• Why can't I access the databases from off campus?


• How do I locate articles in periodicals (magazines, journals, and newspapers)? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• Do you keep any backfiles of magazines on microfilm or microfiche? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• How do I use a database?


• What magazines and journals are available at other libraries?


• How do I find a scholarly journal article?

• Can I fax something from the library?


• Where do I get headphones to use on the computers or to listen to the television in the lobby?


• Where can I get my language tapes duplicated?


•  What services does the Media Department provide?

• How do I begin my research in the library?


• How do I select a topic for research?

• Where do I go to get materials that my instructor placed on reserve? [Eng101 / Coyle Exercise]


• What textbook is used for my class and where can I get it in the library?

General

Beshbito is the name of the building that houses the Library and Computer Center at GCC North. "'Beshbito' means 'water pipe' in the Navajo language. Just as Beshbito Wash provides a conduit or pipe for water in Navajo County, students will access the conduits to academic resources found in this building to drink, metaphorically speaking, from the springs of knowledge available in both print and electronic form."

The building was designed by RNL Design and the construction company was CORE Construction.

Link: RNL Design
Link: CORE Construction

Library hours for both the GCC Main and GCC North are linked from the Library Home page to the Hours page. [Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

Link: Library Hours

Dr. Prince was the first administrative dean of the college. As Executive Director of the State Community College Board, he worked enthusiastically in the formation of the Maricopa County Junior College District (now the Maricopa County Community College District). His portrait is on the wall near the Circulation Desk at the West end of the Library Media Center.

Borrowing Materials

See ASU loan policy information at their Visitors page. Access Fletcher Library at ASU's West campus.

Link: Fletcher Library at ASU's West Campus
Link: ASU Libraries: Visitors

Your borrower ID is the 13-digit number on the reverse side of your student ID card. The MEID is replacing the barcode. If your MEID does not work, use the 13-digit barcode. Your pin# is the last four digits of the telephone number entered in the library system; this is usually the number you used when you registered for classes. If you cannot access the library system to request materials or renew books online, contact the Access Services dept., 623.845.3109.

Yes. If you are a Glendale resident, you can obtain a GPL card by completing an application and providing appropriate identification to confirm residency. If you are NOT a Glendale resident and are currently enrolled at GCC, you are also eligibile to get a borrower's card. You will have to provide your current GCC ID card, a receipt that indicates you are registered for the current semester, and another confirmation of your current address, such as your drivers license. Access Glendale Public Library website.

Glendale Public Library has three locations: the Main Library, just north of GCC on 59th Avenue, the Foothills Branch at 57th North of Union Hills, and the Velma Teague Library at 58th and Glendale.

Link: Glendale Public Library

Usually, no. Different campuses may have different policies. Loan status is indicated in the full catalog entry for the item. "Available" by itself usually means that it can be borrowed via interlibrary loan. If there is a "Non-Request" or "Local Request" indication, the video normally is restricted to use on that campus only. You can check with the Access Services department (Circulation Desk) for additional information.

Additional information is available for each college library by going to the Local Libraries web guide and clicking on the info-icon.

All GCC students have interlibrary loan privileges.

If the books are in the libraries of the Maricopa Community College District...

You can request them electroncially by using the "Request Title" link on the full record page of the item (the page where the bibliographic data on the item and campus holdings information are provided). Your student ID will have to be validated in the library system in order for your request to be processed. You will be required to enter your borrower bar code or MEID and your pin# (last four digits of your telephone number). Books obtained from other district libraries will normally arrive within 5 days, and you will be notified by your campus e-mail address. You can pick them up at the LMC's Circulation Desk (623.845.3109).

There is a courier service that operates between GCC Main and GCC North. It is used to transfer items between these two campuses. Contact the reference desk at either library if you want to use this service. Transfer between GCC Main and GCC North usually take only a maximum of 2 days.

If the book is NOT in the district libraries...

Submit your book request by first clicking on Books & Video from the GCC Libraries home page. Then click on the Interlibrary Loan tab. If you have not created an InterLibrary Loan account, you will need to do this before submitting your book request.

You will need to provide as much information about the book as possible. Also, you will need to allow a minimum of two weeks before we receive any books not in the community college system.

To obtain periodical articles that are not available in GCC's library you will need to complete the request form - use the "articles" section. Again, provide as much information about the item as possible. Ask the librarian to help you if necessary. Incomplete information will delay processing. The lending library may assess a photocopy charge for articles, so it is important that you indicate the amount you are willing to pay for it.

Link: Interlibrary Loan

The limit is 20 books at one time, and only 3 on an individual subject. Loan periods vary by item or collection types. Please see our Circulation Services page has information about loan periods and policies, including fines and debts procedures, for all types of library materials. [Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

Link: Circulation Services

Students enrolled in non-credit classes (including NC500) do not have the same checkout privileges as students enrolled in credit classes. 

Non-credit students may be eligible to obtain a community card which allows for the checkout of one item at a time.  Please see community borrower page for details.

Yes. Open the "My Account" tab on the Catalog page and enter your MEID number and pin number. The pin number is the last four digits of your telephone number you used when registering for classes and that number is in the library system. You may need to have your MEID entered into the library system. Contact the LMC circulation desk or call (623)845-3109. [Note: If you have changed phone numbers, and not notified us, you may be denied access]. Click on "Login" the click on "Items Out" to see the books currently charged to your account. Check the ones you want to renew and click on "Renew." If you are not allowed to renew the books, it usually is because they are overdue or you have already exceeded the number of renewals allowed - currently that is one (1). If you experience problems using the online renewal, contact the 623.845.3109, the LMC Access Services/Circulation department.

Videos at GCC Libraries fall into three major categories.

Videos in the General Collection (DVD and VHS) can be checked out for one week.

These videos are shelved with the books (General - Circulating Collection) by call number; DVD cases are shelved with the books, but the actual disc is available at the Circulation Services counter.

Videos in the Instructional Collection (Circulation Collection) are available to non-faculty for in-library use only.

These videos are kept in the Circulation Services area and can be viewed in the Microforms Room on the north side of the LMC. Vidoes can also be viewed in the Media area at the east end of the building.

Faculty may check out these videos for 7 days.

GCC Libraries provides access to Streaming Video Titles for  students, faculty, and staff as well as those located on the GCC campus.  Most of these are documentary titles from the Films for the Humanities.  To access these titles remotely an eGCC user name and password is required.

Citing Sources

Preparing citations in the proper format for your "Works Cited" page can often be challenging. You first need to determine what style manual your instructor has requested that you use. Common style manuals are MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association), and Turabian, and each provide guides to citing numerous types of publications, including web sites. The current editions of these guides are kept at the Reference Desk. We also provide handouts to help you with typical citation formats, see the LMC Citation Guides. THESE HANDOUTS CONTAIN ONLY BASIC INFORMATION. CONSULT THE MANUALS FOR THE MANY TYPES OF DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED. 

The GCC English Department has a guide to MLA style, Documentation Guidelines for Research, that is used for English 101/102 classes.

Link: Citation Guides
Link: MLA Guide from GCC English Department (PDF)

Finding Materials

The Library Media Center has an Archive Room (L-107) that has some older volumes as well as historical documents, photographs, and publications related to the college and library. Although not necessarily a "rare book" room in a traditonal sense, it does contain some valuable and perhaps "rare" information. The room is not publicly accessible. Contact the Information/Reference desk for further information. [Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

The Library Media Center uses the Library of Congress Classification System to organize its collection by subject category. This is the most common system used in academic libraries. The Dewey Decimal system is most frequently used in school and public libraries. Our guide, Library of Congress Classification System, provides an overview of the system and how to read call numbers and locate the books on the shelves.

At GCC Main, the General collection or circulating book shelves (or "stacks") are on both north and south sides of our Computer Commons area; the reference books are housed in the low shelves near the Information/Reference Desk at the west end of the building. The books are shelved with the A-N classification range on the north side of the building, the N-Z range on the south side. The Juvenile and Oversize collections are shelved at the end of the Z classification area. The General or circulating collection is housed in "open" stacks; some media (DVDs, VHS tapes), back issues of periodicals and reserve materials are in "closed" stacks, and you have to request these items at the Circulation Desk. Also, a "Leisure Reading" collection is located at the west end of the General collection stacks, and you can browse here for recent fiction and non-fiction titles.

GCC North. The Library & Computer Center has a similar arrangement. Low shelves contain reference materials; taller shelves house General Collection, Juvenile, and Pro/Con materials.

The best way to locate books is to use the online catalog on our home page - Locate Books & Video. The library does not maintain a separate "Card Catalog." Books on a subject will be shelved together, generally, so you can browse. Nevertheless, it is a good practice to use the catalog since there are some idiosyncracies in the system that may result in materials on similar topics having different call numbers. It is important to note that, unlike the Dewey system, there is no separate section for biographies and fiction is not arranged alphabetically by the author's last name. [Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

Link: Library of Congress Classification System
Link: Locate Books and Video

Go to the library's home page and click on Locate Books & Video. This takes you to the online catalog. The catalog is a "combined" catalog for all the Maricopa Community College libraries. This enables you to access the collections of other community college libraries by changing the search default (Glendale) to "Maricopa Community College Libraries" on the search page.

It is also "combined" in the sense that it includes all types of formats - books, videos, dvds, audio recordings, etc. The search default is to the GCC Library and all types of formats, but you can restrict your searching to a particular campus, language, or format (books, audio-visual, etc.) if you prefer.

Click on HELP for instructions on using the catalog. This will show you how to search by author, title, subject, or keyword and how to customize your inquiry (if you wish) to restrict your search to specific locations, media, dates, or language. [Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

Link: Locate Books and Video

There is not a separate browsing collection or area in the libraries for recently acquired titles that is identified as such in the catalog record.

The GCC Main and GCC North libraries do have small collections of contemporary and popular fiction and non-fiction titles in a "Leisure Reading" collection. These are arranged by the author's last name under the broad non-fiction and fiction categories.

We also keep newly acquired titles in a book cart near the Reference/Information desk at GCC Main for a brief period before they are shelved in their permanent locations.  For additional fiction and non-fiction titles, you will need to search the catalog by the author or title to see if it has been added to our collection and assigned a call number.

[Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

Yes. The MCCCD libraries have a subscription to eBrary, a collection of thousands of books in electronic format, and netLibrary, a smaller collection of titles.

You can locate them by: (1) selecting the "e-books" tab on the catalog search page, or (2) searching in the catalog as usual - eBrary books will be included in your results. Select "Glendale Community College access." Then search by simple, advanced, or browse - if necessary, use the "Search Tips" to improve your results. Download the free eBrary software to have full access to the books, and set up an account with eBrary to "borrow" the books. A nice feature is that you can highlight passages and return to them later.

GCC also subscribes to netLibrary for additional titles, and this collection can be accessed from the catlaog/e-books page also. You will need to establish and account to access the full-texts of these titles.

The Library Media Center does not have a collection of recorded music.  [Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

Library Services

An audio walking tour is available to add to your enjoyment of the art collection. Check out a listening wand at the circulation desk (GCC Main) to listen to the narrative about selected items of art. The tour is self-paced, which allows you to select from the featured pieces of art as you move about the library. We also have brochures available. Most of the art was either purchased by the student government association or donated to GCC. The art curator is Darlene Goto, a faculty member in the art department. For further information, please contact her at 623-845-3755.

Link: Art Tour

1. The Information/Reference Desk (GCC Main) has several comprehensive guides to other colleges that provide brief information about the school: entrance requirements, enrollment profiles, degress offered, typical tuition and fees, student activities, contact information, etc.

2. Catalogs for local colleges are available at the Circulation Desk (GCC Main).

3. The College Source is a web-based service that allows you to locate colleges and access their catalogs electronically.

Link: College Source Online

GCC Libraries - Main Campus:

Video Phone is located in Media Services, L-116 (east end of building). Users sign in at the Media Services counter, and get remote and assistance. 

Computer Workstation in Computer Commons is reserved for disabled students. It has a Victor Reader and Zoom Text features.

Study Carrells - There are two Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - compliant study carrells in the study area adjacent to the library classroom, L-138. Work surface height can be adjusted on each carrell. 

The library staff will assist students with locating and retreiving library materials and with using photocopiers and other equipment; however, students requiring specialized  or extended assistance are encouraged to contact Disability Services and Resources (DSR) in the TDS building (GCC Main, 623.845.3080). DSR provides trained staff to assist impaired students. It also provides adaptive equipment and software to facilitate the use of educational and communication resources, such as Kurzweil readers, braille printers, scanners, Victor readers, Zoom Text, and more. HT1 also supports disabled services with similar equipment and software. 

GCC Libraries - North Campus:

GCC North Library provides adjustable tables, which are located on the east end of the library.  These are the clover-leaf tables with green partitions. 

Users will be directed to DSR at the main campus for assistance for additional services.

Link: Disability Services and Resources
Link: Suggestions welcome

All posters and announcements in the libraries of both campuses must be approved by campus Student Life. The location of the office is in the Student Union, SU 101 at GCC Main, and in Building C at GCC North. Please post your announcements on the bulletin board near the restrooms in the LMC at GCC Main, and on the corkboard located in the restroom hallway at GCC North. Announcements that are not approved by Student Life or posted in areas other than those mentioned will be removed.

You can check them out at the Circulation Desk at the both libraries.

No, the GCC Main LMC does not provide a photocopy service where you can leave materials for copying. However, there are self-service copiers in the LMC near the Microforms Room. Use either coins, or $1 bills to activate the copiers; we do not use a copy card system. For bills larger than $1, you can get change at the Media Services counter. Also, the IKON Copier Service next to the bookstore provides some services for students.

At GCC North Library & Computer Center, there is a coin-operated photocopier next to the Circulation/Media desk. IKON has a copier center location in the A building. [Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

Yes. Our Media Services staff at GCC Main can assist you with using the PowerPoint Software and previewing your presentation. At GCC North, contact the Tech Help Desk in the computer area of the Library & Computer Center.

Restrooms are located in the Southwest corner of the Library Media Center (GCC Main) and on the north side of the west entry at GCC North.

We have a number of directories and guides at the Information/Reference Desk to help you locate information on scholarships and other sources of financial aid. There is also a web site, FASTWEB, that is also useful. Other web sites providing financial aid nformation are available from our "Internet Resources - Selected Subject Categories" - "Financial Aid" page.

Yes. Study carrels are located throughout the LMC (GCC Main) and at the east end of the Library and Computer Center (GCC North) [Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

There are no private study rooms at either GCC Main or GCC North. At GCC Main, however, there are twelve group study rooms that are located on the north, southeast, and southwest areas of the building. These are available on a first come basis and cannot be reserved. Individuals may use the rooms, but groups have priority if they need the room. Please note that the rooms are not sound-proof so talking should be at a moderate level. There are four group study rooms at GCC North. Personal items (backpacks, books, etc.) left unattended in the study rooms will be removed by Campus Safety.

Link: Group Study Room Policy

Typewriters - no. However,you can use your eGCC account to access the suite of tools (word processing, spreadsheets, power point presentation software, etc.).You will need to activate your Instructional Palette account to use the workstations in the library.

Library Use

To access your library account, click on the link below or click on the "My Account" tab in the library catalog.

From the Library Account page you can review checked-out materials and requested items, fine information, and personal information such as phone and address. Additionally, you can renew books and make changes to your email address and library PIN.

Access your library account. Requires your borrower barcode (13-digit number on the reverse side of your student ID and library pin (the last 4 digits of your telephone number).

Link: Access your Library Account

Yes, but you will need to have your eGCC account activated. When you try to open the databases, you will be prompted to enter your eGCC username and password to gain access. See the list of databases available through the LMC @ GCC.

Also, set your browser to accept "cookies". Some databases can only be accessed from on-campus; these are noted in the database list.

Link: eGCC Account
Link: Library Database Listing

Use of these computers is restricted to GCC students. You will need to activate your eGCC account, enter the username and password assigned to you (see below).

Quick look up terminals are located near the Information/Reference Desk that can be used by any patron without an eGCC account. These workstations are NOT connected to a printer.

The Computer Commons at both GCC Main and GCC North is open for use on the same schedule as the rest of the library. Computer technicians staff the area.  There are no separate CD-ROM workstations; workstations accommodate CDs.

Pay 4 Print begins in  October, 2009 at both campuses. Printing documents costs ten cents per page. Money can be added to the student ID card up to a maximum amount of $10.

[Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

The At GCC main the High Tech Centers have extended hours during the week and weekends. Check their posted hours for times. At GCC North, when the Library and Computer Center is closed, there is no location to use computers. Wireless access is available in most parts of each campus.

Link: High Tech Centers
Link: HTC Hours

The eGCC account is available to students enrolled at GCC. The account provides access to software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, communications (e-mail), and accessing the library databases. To use it, activate your account at terminals in the LMC, HT1 and HT2 - scan your student id on the reverse of the card. Your username will be displayed; your default password is your birth month, birth date, and first 3 letters of your first name in lower case (MMDDxxx). When you log in to a workstation you will be prompted change your password.

More information is available at the Student HelpDesk page You can also change your password to one of your own choosing at this web site.

Link: Student Helpdesk
Link: Password Change Utility

The Library Media Center home page has a link to GO!Gauchos Tutorial, an information literacy and library tutorial to show you how to use library resources. The information below may help also. Of course, you can always ask the librarians at the Information/Reference Desk for assistance to help you locate resources and services. The Library Media Center (GCC Main) and the Library & Computer Center (GCC North) are the only "libraries" on campus. Other departments may house their own small department collections in labs or elsewhere, but these are not part of the GCC libraries and their collections are not included in the library's catalog. The GCC libraries support undergraduate and certificate programs of the college. [Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

Link: Go!Gauchos Tutorial

Yes we do have laptop computers at both campuses. You can borrow them at the Media Services Desk (GCC Main) or Circulation/Media Desk (GCC North). They are to be used only in the library. There is a four (4) hour time limit.

You can use your own laptop computers in the library via our password protected wireless network, but active data ports are not available. You will need to activate your network or eGCC account to access the network.

Ask at the Circulation Desk in the Library for a card. You will need to provide some identification in order to obtain a card. There are some limitations on the use of the card. The card does not enable you to use the computers in the Computer Commons area of the Library Media Center.

Your student picture identification card is your library card. Get your picture ID cards at the Enrollment Center (EC) at GCC Main or Bulding C at GCC North when you register. Your card is good at all MCCCD libraries. Note that your library card number is the 13 digit barcode number on the reverse side of your card. The card, once validated for the semester, allows you to check out books, reserve readings and periodicals from the Circulation Desk, and to use the electronic interlibary loan system on the catalog to obtain books from other campuses.

Present your student ID at the Circulation Desk. Once your card is validated, it is good for the semester, and allows you to borrow library materials. You can use your validated card to use the electronic interlibrary loan service on our catalog to borrow items from other Maricopa Community College libraries or borrow materials directly from those libraries if you prefer to go to them personally. Validating your student ID card in the library system is not the same as activating your eGCC account; these are two separate systems.

You can get most of the common 'library lingo' from one of our LMC Guide: Library Terminology.

Link: Library Terminology Guide

Yes. More information is available from the campus Wireless Access page. Additional assistance can be provided by the computer technicians at HT1 at GCC Main at the Tech Help desks in the libraries at both GCC Main and GCC North.

Link: Wireless Access Information

Magazine, Journal, Newspaper Articles

Most databases may also be searched by students and faculty at Glendale Community College from off campus.

To access these databases remotely your eGCC account must be activated.

Activate your account at the Library, HT1 or HT2. Enter or open the database and then enter your eGCC username and password in the spaces provided. Your web browser must be configured to accept cookies. If you have difficulty connecting, call the Student Help Desk at 623.845.3555 or email.        

Link: eGCC account
Link: Student Help Desk email

The Library Media Center's periodical collection consists of print (paper), microforms, and electronic formats. There are several ways to locate articles. If you are researching a topic you will need to use the databases or indexes.

Databases can be accessed from the Articles & Databases on the Library Home Page. The databases are produced by a vendor who ensures the quality of the resources included - magazines, journals, newspapers, etc. Most databases provide the full-texts of articles. 

If you just want to browse current magazines, the more popular ones are displayed along the north concourse in the library. If you want to look at recent back issues of a magazine or journal, check at the Circulation Desk to borrow them for use in the building. To view or check our subscription list electronically click on the GCC Print Magazines/Journals by Title or by Subject from our Articles & Databases page (see "Related Links" sidebar) or you can always ask at the Information/Reference Desk.

Finally, there are a number of e-zines or e-journals that can be accessed through the web, such as Time, Newsweek, plus newspapers. If you know the url for the magazine, you can go directly to that site for the most current issue; if you do not know the url, enter the title in a search engine, such as Google, Yahoo, etc. and select from the result list. Electronic magazines, journals, and newspapers usually have archives or backfiles for previous issues, but they may charge a fee to access them. If at all possible, it is usually best to use the databases provided by the library.

[Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

Link: Articles and Databases
Link: GCC Print Magazines and Journals

Yes. At GCC Main, selected titles of magazines, journals, and newspapers are available in microfilm or microfiche. These are housed in the Microforms Room on the north side of the LMC. If you need assistance using this collection contact the Circulation Desk or the Reference Desk. At GCC North, there are no backfiles in microfilm or microfiche. [Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

Each database is different. It is a good idea to spend a few minutes before you begin searching in the database to read the help features. Your searching will be more productive. Generally, databases can be searched by subject, keyword, natural language, or a variety of guided search methods that allow you to customize your inquiry. Of course, you can ask a librarian to help you!

A self-paced tutorial describes the basics of using a database to retrieve articles. EbscoHost's MasterFile Premier is used as example.

Link: Database Tutorial

For most libraries, you can go to their web page and search their catalog for the title of the magazine you need. The catalog will indicate if they subscribe to it or not. You can also search the MCCCD catalog for all MCCCD libraries by title.

To locate scholarly or academic journals in a database, select the check boxes labeled "Juried articles," "Peer-reviewed articles" or "Refereed journals". Your searching will be restricted to this type of publication.

If you are uncertain what a scholarly journal article is, go to our scholarly journal criteria page provides some basic information about the characterisitics of scholarly journals and articles.

Link: Scholarly Journal Information and Criteria

Media Services

Yes. At GCC Main, contact at Media Services (east end of the building) and the Circulation desk at GCC North. It costs $1.00 per page and is for local calls/transmissions only (area codes 480, 602, 623). The campus mailroom in the Administration building provides fax services as well. Check with them for cost and other limitations.

You can check out headphones from the Circulation Desk (GCC Main). At GCC North, headphones are only available for computers and can be checked out at the Circulation/Media Services desk.

The Media Services department will duplicate language tapes. There is no charge for duplicating the tapes, but you must provide the blank tapes. Media only accepts the following brand audio cassette tapes for duplication purposes: TDK, Maxell, BASF, Scotch/3M, Fuji, Sony, Denon, and Radio Shack. The tapes will be ready normally in 1-3 days depending on the number of duplicating requests.

The Media Services department of the LMC is responsible for audio-visual services on campus. This department maintains, schedules and delivers A-V equipment to classrooms and other campus departments. Media Services coordinates video conferencing for intra-district meetings and distance learning, handles production requests (such as videotaping, photographing), facilitates media installations and media systems design throughout the campus, and ensures copyright compliance with A-V materials and production requests. Requests for video purchases for instruction and the LMC collection are processed by the Media Services Librarian.

Link: Media Services Charges

Research

A good place to begin is at the Information/Reference Desk. Really. Rather than leap into the catalog or databases, consult with the reference librarians about your assignment. The librarians can suggest appropriate research tools to help make your research more efficient and effective.

More information about contacting librarians: Ask a Librarian

Of course, where you begin your research depends upon what you need to know or what information you already have. It is important that you clearly understand your assignment. Depending on your topic, you may need to use a variety of books, articles, and open web sites, or maybe just one source will be enough. You can save some time by getting some advice before you start.

Link: Ask-a-Librarian

If your topic has not been assigned to you, and you're not sure about a topic, there are several resources that can help you focus on a subject.

10,000 Ideas for Term Papers, Projects, Reports and Speeches by Kathryn Lamm is a good source for potential topics in a wide range of subject areas. A symbol is included with each topic to give you an idea about the level of research and resources required to write about it. The latest edition of this book is available at the Information/Reference Desk.

CQ Researcher is an excellent source for contemporary topics. Each issue provides an overview of the subject, chronology, issues involved, pro/con debate, and relevant resources. This is available both electronically (see our Articles & Databases page) and in paper*.

Issues & Controversies is similar to CQ Researcher, and, it is also available both electronically (see our Articles & Databases page) and in paper*.

Pro/Con Resources & Contemporary Issues: Use this linked page to browse the LMC print collection of books that address contemporary issues in a pro/con and topic overview format.

*Pro/Con-Contemporary Issues table/section:

GCC Main: this table is located between the Information Desk and the Computer Commons has books that you can check out of the library. The books contain essays that represent a various viewpoints on the topic.

GCC North: the Pro/Con section is located on the first range of tall shelves in the General Collection.

Link: Contemporary Issues & Pro/Con Collection

Textbooks and Reserve Materials

At the Circulation Desk (also known as Access Services counter) at the west end of the GCC Main LMC and the Circulation/Media Services desk at GCC North. Please provide your instructor's name or class (e.g., PSY101). You will need your student id card to borrow them. Most reserve books are available for use in the library two hours. You can use the online catalog to determine if your instructor has placed materials on reserve for your class. Open the "Books & Media" link on the LMC home page, then open the "Reserves" tab. Then, enter your course or instructor's name. [Info helps to answer Eng101 / Coyle assignment.]

The bookstore has booklists and supplies of texts arranged by course and instructor. If you are not certain about the required and optional texts from the information available at the bookstore, check with your instructor for the text used in your class. Some classes in the same subject may use a different textbook and supplementary readings.

In addition, you can access the Campus Bookstore web site to determine your required textbooks. Use the Textbook Look-up Tool provided on their website.

The library does NOT buy textbooks. However, the library may have books that instructors have placed on reserve at the Circulation desk for library use only. You can use the library website to look-up course related reserve items by class or instructor.

Link: GCC Bookstore