Frequently Asked Questions
Finding Books, CDs, Videos, and Government Documents

Items the Library Owns

Items the Library doesn’t own

Course-Related Materials

New Books for the Library

Once I know the call number of a book, how do I find it in the library?
Items beginning with the following call numbers are located on the library’s 1^st floor:

For more detailed locations, refer to this online map.
 

What do I do if I cannot find a book on the shelf?
If you think the book might be new, remember to look on the New Books Shelf on the 1^st floor.  If you still can’t find the book, ask the staff at the Circulation Desk for help.  They will check to see if the book is waiting to be reshelved.  If necessary, they will perform a search for the item to be sure it hasn't been misshelved.
 

How many books does the library have?
The LCSC Library has more than 240,000 items, of which about half are books.  The rest are audio-visual materials, microfiche, Government documents, maps, curriculum materials, and periodicals. 

The new WIN (Washington-Idaho Network) Consortium has combined holdings of over 2.3 million items.
 

Items the Library Doesn’t Own

What do I do if the item I want isn’t in the LCSC catalog?
LCSC faculty, students, and staff may order the item via Inter-Library Loan.  (Other patrons should contact their local library.)  You will need to know the item’s title, author, publisher, and year of publication, as well as your library card number.

If you are in the library, fill out an Interlibrary Loan Request form. Online patrons may click on “Forms for Requesting Materials," then follow the instructions.
 

How can I find items in libraries outside of the LCSC Library?
A good place to start is the University of Idaho Library.  We belong to the same consortium and can borrow materials from them free-of-charge.  Allow about a week to get University of Idaho materials via Inter-Library Loan. 

Another option is to search WorldCat, a shared catalog of items held at libraries around the world.  Click here for more instructions on searching WorldCat.
 

How do I request something from another library?
If you are in the library, fill out an Inter-Library Loan Request form.  Online patrons may click on “Forms for Requesting Materials," then follow the instructions.
 

How much does it cost to borrow something from another library?
LCSC does not charge a fee to initiate an interlibrary loan.  Interlibrary loans obtained from VALNet and North Idaho Academic libraries are normally free of charge.  For libraries outside the LCSC Library, our policy is to try to borrow from libraries that do not charge for materials, but sometimes we cannot find the requested materials from those libraries.  From other libraries, materials usually cost $3-$20 per item (typically $8-$12 per item).  The fee charged is the borrower’s responsibility to pay.
 

How long does it take to get something from another library?
Materials borrowed from libraries outside the NIAL Consortium usually take 2 to 3 weeks to arrive.  The time required is dependent on the library loaning the material and may take even longer than this estimate.
 

How will I know when my material arrives?
Your name will be placed on the white board located to the left of the Circulation Desk in the LCSC Library.  If your name is written on the left side, your material has arrived.  If your name is written on the right side, there is a problem with your request.  If you provide an LCSC email address at the time you order, we will notify you when your material arrives. 

If you are an LCSC Outreach Student, materials will be mailed to the address you provide on the interlibrary loan form.
 

Course-Related Materials

Is the textbook for my course available in the library?
Probably not.  We stretch our budget by focusing on materials that will complement your course readings.  However, some professors choose to put their copies of the textbooks on reserve at the Circulation Desk for you to borrow for short periods.
 

How can I find out what materials are on Course Reserve?
You can search the Course Reserves from our catalog.  From the gray bar on the Library Web Page (above), select Library Catalog.  Click on Course Reserve.  You will need to know the instructor’s name, the department name, or the course number and name.
 

What is the loan period for Course Reserve materials?
Each instructor chooses how long the item may be borrowed.  It may be as short as one hour or as long as overnight.
 

New Books for the Library

I would like to suggest the library purchase a book.  Who do I talk to?
You may fill out a book request form at the Circulation Desk.  The request will be forwarded to the librarian who selects books in that subject area.
 

I would like to donate books to the library.  Who do I talk to?
Go to the Circulation Desk and ask to talk with the Collection Development Librarian about book donations.

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