Library FAQs & Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the library catalog available from off-campus?: Yes, it is. On the first page of the library website, click on "OneSearch" to search the Bakersfield College Library Catalog. You can search just books and eBooks using the "BC Library Books & eBooks" search.
How can I check out books?: Just present your student ID card, your books and yourself at the Circulation Desk. To get your free student ID card, visit the Welcome Center in the lobby of the Administration Building.
How much will I be fined for an overdue book?: Beginning Fall 2022 the library no longer charges overdue fines. However, if you lose a book you will be billed for the replacement cost.
How long can I keep a book I have checked out?: The initial checkout period is 3 weeks and you can renew the book up to 2 times if no one else has requested it. You can renew your items online by logging into your account through OneSearch, click “Sign-In” in the top, right corner, click on your name to see the drop-down menu, click on “My Loans” and renew on the next screen.
What happens if the book I want is checked out? Is there a way for me to request the book?: Yes. Each checked-out book will show a due-date in the library catalog. In the "Get It" section is a link to "request." Sign in to your account and complete the information on the request screen. We will notify you when the book is back in the library.
How many books can I have checked out at a time?: You can have up to 20 books checked out at once.
My professor said that a book or article for my class is in the library. Where can I find it?: Most likely it is in the Reserve Collection, which is kept at the Circulation Desk on the main level.
Can I use the CSUB library?: Yes. Anyone can use the CSUB Library as a walk-in, just as anyone can use the BC Library. However, if you wish to check out books, you will need to obtain a community card first. BC has an agreement with CSUB that, with a completed form, you may purchase a community card at half the normal cost. You may fill out the form at the BC Library Reference Desk.
Can I use the library research databases (EBSCOhost, etc.) from off-campus?: Yes, you can. Visit the the library webpage to see the A-Z Database list. Click on the database you want to search and you'll be prompted to enter your BC email address and password. You may then search as you would in the library.
I've tried connecting to the library research databases from home without success. Is there someone who can help me?: Yes, call the Reference Desk at (661) 395-4466 during regular library hours for assistance.
Is wireless Internet access available in the library?: Yes. To use it, allow your laptop or mobile device to locate the KCCD Open wireless network. Then open a web browser and when prompted for a user name and password, enter your complete BC email address as your username. Your password is your Banner password (that you would use to register for classes). Be sure to click the “Accept” box to accept the terms associated with using the wireless network.
Can I print from library computers?: Yes. Printing from computers is available for 10 cents per image printed. To print you must have funds in your online print account. For instructions, view the Printing Instructions page. To add funds to your online account using a credit/debit card, visit the KCCD print website (on campus only), and login using your BC student ID number and your Banweb password. Check the "paid" box on the first screen to get the funds into the correct account. You can also add money to your online print account at the Business Office windows in the hall outside the Campus Bookstore.
Can I print wirelessly?: No. However, you can always forward a document from your laptop to a wired computer in the library via your email account, and then print.
Why isn't the library open more hours?: Money and staffing are the primary difficulties. Although we are not open until 11pm as are many residential college libraries, we are open Saturdays (11am-3pm) during the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer hours are more limited.
Does the library have a color photocopier?: Not at this time.
Does the library have photocopy machines?: Yes. There are three photocopiers in the library, one upstairs and two on the mezzanine level. These machines are coin-operated only, 10 cents per image.
Why can't I find any good recent best-sellers in this library?: Since the purpose of a college library is to support the curriculum, the library doesn't purchase popular fiction titles unless they are course-related. Check out the Pop collection on the spinning rack near the Reference Desk for some reading ideas. You may have better luck with recreational reading at the public library.

Community Use

Community library cards are available to community members for a fee of $25 for 12 months. These cards are not BC student ID cards, but still allow borrowing privileges.

The library card entitles the holder to borrowing privileges (a maximum of three books at a time may be checked out for two weeks), computer access in the library (2nd floor) but not the Computer Commons, and wifi access. All library computers offer Internet and research database access and a Microsoft Word viewer, though not full MS Word.

There are three photocopiers in the library, one upstairs and two on the mezzanine level. These machines do NOT accept ID cards, but do accept bills and coins.

The library is closed during semester breaks so there is no access to the building when the college is not in session.

Etiquette

Cell Phones:

Keep on silent or vibrate. Please go outside to make or receive calls. Inside the library we prefer two words: text messaging.

Food and drink:

Food isn't allowed in the library, however, snack foods and drinks with lids are okay. Please keep food and drink away from library computers.

Noise:

Be considerate of others — whisper so as to avoid bothering the many people who use the library to study.

Groups:

Reserve a group study room at the circulation desk downstairs if you have a project that requires discussion. Even then, please keep voice levels down to avoid bothering students nearby.

Visiting:

When you want to catch the latest gossip or just socialize with your friends, head to the cafeteria. The library is a study space.

Volume:

Keep music on earphones at a level so others can't hear it.

Games:

Card games, chess, dice, Yahtzee, and Scrabble are better played at home. They're a losing proposition in the library.

Trash:

Clean up after yourself and throw away garbage in trash cans provided.

Computers:

Use the computers for research. Tweeting, shopping, Instagramming, or playing games are not appropriate uses for library stations. Computer use is a privilege, not a right.

Consideration:

Respect the rights of other library users. Help create a positive atmosphere in our library. Disturbing images or pornography may offend other library users. Those who create disturbances may be restricted in library use or referred for disciplinary actions.

Making Out:

Come to the library to work, not to snog.

Respect Library Materials:

Do not tear, write on, or otherwise damage library books, magazines, and furnishings.

Play it Safe:

Keep your valuables with you and under a watch eye.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive:

Ask a reference librarian for assistance with any research need. The reference staff can help you save time and find great resources for your projects.

Golden Rule:

Treat the library staff and fellow students with courtesy and consideration. Practice your random acts of kindness here.

Computer Use Policy

Computer Use

Computer use shall be consistent with the educational, academic and administrative purposes of the college/district and shall respect the rights of other computer users.

Computer use is an extension of the instructional process. Infractions or abuses in the use of the Computer Commons and other computer labs will be addresses under the current Student Conduct Policy and Procedures as described in the Bakersfield College Student Handbook.

Things to Know

Computer use is a privilege, not a right. Violation of computer policies and procedures may lead to loss of access to computing resources, as well as to disciplinary and/or legal action.
Computer use is primarily intended for the support of course work conducted for a particular class assignment. Priority for student usage will be given to students working on class related assignments. Personal use such as non-class related Email, chat rooms, and research will be allowed only as space permits.
Students using computers for non-class related activities will be asked to relinquish their workstation when students with class related assignments are waiting. It is expected that this will occur in a courteous manner.
Computer use must be within the bounds of Federal and State law. Specific law covers actions such as, but not limited to: tampering with computer hardware of software, unauthorized entry into computers, vandalism, or destruction of computer files.
Resources available on the Internet may be potentially offensive. Users must respect the rights of others. For example, displaying on-screen images, sounds or messages that create an atmosphere of discomfort or harassment for others is prohibited.
Unauthorized sharing and/or attempting to access computer accounts for other users is prohibited.
Excessive noise and/or creating a disturbance may result in the restriction of use and/or disciplinary action.
Information obtained from the World Wide Web and other Internet resources may be inaccurate or misleading. The college cannot be held accountable for the authenticity of information gathered from these sources.
Technical difficulties will occur. The college is not responsible for any information that may be lost, damaged or unavailable due to technical or other difficulties.

Library Policies

Circulation Policies

A borrower must be a currently-enrolled student or staff member with a BC ID card to check out materials. ID cards are free and are available in the lobby of the Administration Building.
Checkout period is 3 weeks. If there are no requests on an item it may be renewed up to two times. Checkouts late in the semester may be shorter, as all materials must be returned by the Friday before finals week.
Items can be renewed by phone or renewed online through your account in the library catalog.
A borrower may have up to 20 books checked out at once.
Hot Topic, DVD, and audiovisual materials have a 7-day checkout period.
Reference materials and periodicals cannot be checked out.
Overdue fines are 25 cents per day per item for general books, $1 a day for DVDs, and $1 per hour for overdue reserve items.
If an item is lost by a borrower, replacement cost plus a processing fee will be charged. The fine will be waived if the borrower donates a good-condition replacement copy of the same edition of the title.

Group Study Room Policies

Reserve a room by phone or in person either the day of use or after 12 noon the day before use. For Monday reservation, you may call after 12 noon Saturday.
Food is not allowed in the library or in group study rooms, however, snack foods and drinks with lids are okay.
Study groups must have at least 2 people. Each member of the group must check in at the Circulation Counter and show their BC ID.
Keep noise to a minimum.
2 hour maximum per group.
Study rooms are available for student use only. Students must have a current BC ID card to reserve a room.
Check in at the Circulation Desk before using the room. If you check in more than 15 minutes late the room will be given to another group.
Clean up after yourself - pick up trash, erase the board.
Dry erase markers and erasers are available at the Circulation Desk.

Collection Development / Donated Materials

The Library acquires materials that support college curriculum and student learning. The library does not collect textbooks. Suggestions for additions to the collection are always welcome. Read the full Collection Development Policy.
Donated items are reviewed for possible duplication, for quality, and for relevance to curriculum and learning. The library reserves the right to sell or discard any donated items that don't meet the criteria for addition to the collection.
The library will provide an acknowledgement letter confirming receipt of donated items, if requested. Dollar amounts will not be included unless indicated by the donor.

Library Study Environment

Students are asked to observe the "no talking" and "whispering" zones in the library in order to create a quiet study environment for all students.
When playing audio or video on library computers, headphones must be used rather than the internal computer speakers.

Children in the BC Library

Children are welcome in the BC Library. We recognize that many of our students are parents or guardians of children they cannot leave at home along when they need to study or otherwise use the BC Library. When bringing children to the library, please note the following:

Children must remain under direct supervision of the adult who brought them (i.e., must remain within their eyesight).
Library staff and faculty do not watch after children in the library.
If children are disturbing other library users through excessive noise or horseplay, the parent/guardian and the children may be asked to leave the library.
Consider bringing a quiet activity for children to complete during their time in the library.