Frequently Asked Questions

Borrowing of all Library items - books, videos, reserves, etc. - is a privilege available to all Lawson State students, faculty, and staff.

You need your current Student Photo ID to check out books and other materials. Then, visit one of the Library's service desks to check out your materials.

Other Important Information:

If you do not have your Student Photo ID, you must go to:

• Bessemer Campus:  Cashier’s Office
• Birmingham Campus: Cashier’s Office.

If you lose your Student Photo ID and someone else uses it, you are responsible for the materials checked out using your ID. If you lose your Student Photo ID, report it to the Lawson Police immediately.

Books are checked out for 2 weeks with the possibility of one renewal. DVD and other audiovisual materials are checked out for 1 week with the possibility of one renewal. Reserve materials (textbooks), reference books, magazines, newspapers and some of our videos are for in-library use only.

You can renew checked out items on your card from our website using the My Account feature. If you wish to renew an item, you can bring it to one of our libraries (Birmingham or Bessemer) or you can call Circulation Services at (205) 929-2068 (Birmingham) or (205) 929-3526 (Bessemer).

If an item is overdue, you must bring it to one of our Libraries in-person to renew and pay any overdue fines.

At this time, the Lawson State Library does not provide Interlibrary Loan (ILL). 

Reserves are items, including textbooks, that Lawson State instructors have placed for student use at the Circulation Desk in the Libraries. Reserve materials can include additional reading assignments, sample test questions, class notes, and other course-related supplements. Reserve items are arranged by course number (located on your schedule or syllabus). You will need your Lawson State Student Photo ID Card to view any reserve materials located in the library.

Reserve materials are checked out for two (2) hours at a time, and are "in-house-use", which means they are to be used only within the Libraries (Bessemer or Birmingham campus). Removing a reserve item from the Library will result in a student’s library privileges being blocked, i.e. the student will not be allowed access to any other reserve materials for any class for the rest of the semester.

Books checked out from the circulation stacks area are fined $.25 per day to a cumulative maximum of $20.00 per book. Two (2) hour reserve materials are fined $1.00 per hour.

Fines for reserve materials accrue even when the library is closed. If reserve materials are lost, the total cost of the materials plus a replacement fee will be charged.

You may check out up to four (4) books at one time.

If you lose any library material, you are responsible for the replacement cost and a processing fee of $5.00.

Books may be returned to the staff at the Circulation Desk.  However, reserve materials must be physically returned to the staff at the Circulation Desk.

Do not leave materials unattended on the counter of the Service Desk.

You may bring materials back to the library or login to your My Account online to renew them. You may renew regularly circulating items one time. Materials may also be renewed by telephone or email.

Your USER ID has your Lawson State College A-Number listed on the card. You must use a valid Lawson State College ID number to login. The PIN is generated upon request. Please go to the Circulation Desk at either Library to obtain a 4-digit PIN.

Next, select the items you wish to renew. Once you have logged in, you may change your password, and place a hold on a book that is checked out.

To change your password, select Edit My Account.

NOTE: If you don't know your Lawson State A- Number, or if you forget your password after you have changed it, ask at one of the Library's Service Desks.

The Library offers various modalities for library orientation to accommodate the needs of our students. Many students complete the online Library Orientation, but students can also request individual/small group virtual library orientation or schedule a face-to-face session on either campus.  

• All individual or small group virtual library orientations will be conducted via Zoom or Teams. Please use the links below to schedule your library orientation. 

        Use this link to request a FACE-TO-FACE individual session  FACE-TO-FACE INDIVIDUAL ORIENTATION REQUEST

        Use this link to request a VIRTUAL individual  session VIRTUAL INDIVIDUAL LIBRARY ORIENTATION REQUEST 

        Use this link to read information about taking Library Orientation ONLINE (self-paced)  ONLINE SELF-PACED LIBRARY ORIENTATION 

1.  Sign in at the circulation desk with your Student ID/A#.

2. The library staff will direct you to a computer.  After you gain access to your document.  Press "file" and "print".  

3.  Choose a printer to print to--choose: "Main Printer" and press PRINT.

4. Students may print up to 10 pages at no charge.  (This may change in the near future).  

5. When you have finished printing all of your documents, retrieve your documents from the printer. 

6. Make sure you have all of your documents before you leave.

7. If you need a stapler or a hole puncher, those are located in the library for your convenience.  

Come to the circulation desk to sign in.  You will need your student ID and you will need to know your A#.  

If you leave and re-enter the library on the same day, just go to the circulation desk and let a library staff member know that you have already been in previously. 

You do not have to sign out when leaving the library.