Welcome

Library Loan Policy

Borrowing / Circulation:

1. Circulation Desk Hours: The Circulation Desk always closes fifteen (15) minutes before the closing of the Library. 

2.  Credentials: In order to borrow items from the library, the borrower has to bring a valid identification card issued by Lawson State Community College.

3. Length of Loans: Students may borrow books for 14 days, with one renewal. Books may be  renewed in person, by telephone or online. The Circulation Desk’s phone number is (205) 929-2068 (Birmingham campus) or (205) 929-3526 (Bessemer campus). There is a four book limit for this service.

 

Reserve Items:

There are three types of reserves. Loan periods vary according to the conditions specified by the faculty member who placed the item on reserve.

1. For Library Use Only:  Students may check out “For Library Use Only” materials for two hours. The items may be renewed for in-house use if there is not a demand for the item(s).  

2. Overnight:  A maximum of two “Overnight Reserve” books may be checked out for overnight use. All “Overnight Reserve” books are always due at 8:00 a.m. Fines will be assessed for each half-hour the resources are not returned to the library the following day. 

3. Two Day: Students may checkout specific reserve materials for two days with permission from instructors.     

 

Due Dates:

Due date cards are located in the back of every book or audiovisual resource circulated from the library as well as in the library catalog patron status module. 
It is the responsibility of the borrower to return the item(s) on time. 

Book Return:

All circulating materials and reserve items must be returned at the circulation desk.

Renewals:

All library items may be renewed for an additional 14 days.  Renewals are accepted over the phone, in person and online. Renewals will only be granted if there is no demand for the book. 

Responsibilities:

The borrower is responsible for all items checked out on his/her identification card.  

Overdue Books/Fines:

It is the responsibility of the borrower to return library items when they are due.The library will charge the borrower a fine for each overdue item according to the following rules:  

  • 25¢ per item each day the item is overdue with a maximum fine of $20
  • $1.00 per hour past due (or fraction of an hour over fifteen minutes) will be charged for all reserve materials
  • There is a $5 charge for all reserve materials removed from the library without properly checking out the materials.

Payment of Fines

The fines for any overdue items should be paid at the time the item is returned. The item(s) must be returned and fine(s) paid before the student will be allowed to check out additional items from the Library.  Fines will not exceed the cost of replacing the borrowed materials.  Unpaid overdue fines and failure to return library materials will result in blocking of a student. This notice is only a reminder of the borrower's overdue item. Failure to receive such a reminder in no way increases or decreases the liability of the borrower. 

Lost Items:

The cost of lost resources borrowed from the library is determined by the current book price in Books In Print plus a $5 processing fee. If the lost item is not listed in Books In Print, $30 will be charged for all hardback books  and $15 for all paperback books. If the borrower returns the lost item promptly, the borrower will still be charged replacement costs for lost or item(s) for which he/she has paid.   But he/she can return the lost item and be reimbursed for the cost of the lost resourse if the following criteria is met:  he/she presents the recovered item(s) and provides a payment receipt. 

 

 

Printing and Copying

You must have your Lawson State Student ID card to print/copy.

 

 

 

Librarians

 

 

 

The LSCC Library offers FOUR ways for you to complete Library Orientation! 

Below is a description of each option and a link to access the one that works best for you.   

 

Option 1 - In Person (On Campus)

Length- One hour

Location - Select between the Bessemer or Birmingham campus library

Description - One hour library presentation including powerpoint presentation, hands-on walk through of the library's website, and fifteen question assessment.

This option allows you to coordinate a time that works best for you during the hours the library is open.  

*Students must wear a mask and social distancing will be implemented.

https://www.library.lawsonstate.edu/individual-student-appointment

 

Option 2 - Small Group (Virtual)

Length - One hour

Location - Virtual (Blackboard Collaborate)

Description - One hour library presentation including powerpoint presentation, hands-on walk through of the library's website, and fifteen question assessment.

Schedule to attend one of the Small Group virtual orientation sessions held weekly with a morning, afternoon, and evening option.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a084ca5ac2ca3ff2-library

 

Option 3 - Individual (Virtual) 

Length - One hour

Location - Virtual (Blackboard Collaborate)

Description - One hour library presentation including powerpoint presentation, hands-on walk through of the library's website, and fifteen question assessment.

This option allows you to coordinate a time that works best for your schedule and can be done without coming to campus. 

https://www.library.lawsonstate.edu/virtual-library-orientation

 

Option 4 - Online (Blackboard)

Length - Self-paced

Location - Online

Description - Seven modules that students work through to complete lessons at the end of each module.  Modules include readings and videos.  Forty-three question assessment which must be passed with 75% to obtain certification of completion. 

This option allows you to work through the modules at your own pace.

https://lawsonstate.libguides.com/blackboard-library-orientation-instructions

 

Understanding your assignment

Your assignment is where it all starts!

Understanding your assignment is key. You should read your assignment as soon as you receive it so you have time to ask your instructor about anything that you're not sure of. 

Having the assignment with you when you search can help ensure that the sources that you find will work for the assignment.  Circle, highlight or underline important requirements.  If you are not sure what your instructor wants, ask!

 

What is your instructor asking you to do?

When reading your assignment, focus on verbs like analyze, summarize or compare to understand what your instructor wants from you.  Other important words to watch out for are how, why, when, etc.  All of these words will help you focus on what you need for your research topic.

Click on the link below to look at a list of common instruction words you will see in assignments.

Assignment Keywords

 

What are the rules of the assignment?

Many instructors have rules that they want you to follow in order to complete the assignment successfully. They frequently include things like:

  • How long your paper or presentation should be
  • What kind of information you can use
    • That might include things like your textbook, class notes, books, articles, and Internet
    • It might also include how long your sources need to be, when they were written and who wrote them
  • What style format you should use
    • MLA, APA, etc.
  • What style of writing or presentation you should use
    • Informational, persuasive, reflective, annotated bibliographies, scientific, etc.
  • In what format your work should be submitted
    • Word, PowerPoint, etc.
  • What kinds of topics you can use

Take a look at the sample assignment below

 

 

Planning your research

Before you begin your research, you should do the following:

  • Read and understand your assignment (ask your instructor questions if you do not understand something)
  • Think about what resources are available on your topic (please review the Information Cycle Chart)
  • Brainstorm your topic (use the graphic organizer as a starting point)

Brainstorming Chart

 

 

Google vs. the Library

Library Account

My Account is your personal library account online.

 

Login to My Account to see what books you have out and when they are due, place a hold on a book that's checked out, renew your books, and change your My Account password.

 

 

  • Click on the My Account link at the top of the page.
  • Your USER ID is your Lawson State Community College ID number. You must use a valid Lawson State Community College ID number to login. 
  • The PASSWORD is issued when you checkout materials for all first time users. Once you have logged in, you can change your password. To change your password select  My Account, then Change Pin.
  • If you do not know your Lawson State Community College ID number, or if you forget your My Account password after you have changed it, ask for assistance at one the Library's service desks.

 

Locating Books

Searching the Library Catalog

 To find books on your topic:

  • Start with words associated with your topic.
  • Type the word(s) in the Search the Catalog box above. Click the Search button.
  •  
  • Use the drop down menu to search by Author, Title, and Subject.
  • Use All Fields to do a general keyword search.
  • Use Advanced Search for more options.
  • Click the Search button.


"All Fields" Search Tips

All Fields is a keyword search that looks for words in the title, author, subject and note fields. Multiple words are searched together as one phrase. You may use the Boolean operators AND, OR, NOT to expand or narrow search results. Use an asterisk (*) to search word variations.

For example:

  • space and manned
  • space or NASA
  • space exploration not robotics
How do I access the online databases to find articles?

As a student at Lawson State you are provided access to the online databases while currently enrolled during the semester. If you are not currently enrolled you will not be eligible for remote access based upon our licensing agreements of the database vendors. All registered students need to use their (Student A-Number) username and (6-Digit Date of Birth) password to access the databases.

In order to access the library's databases off campus, you will need the following information:

student or employee ID number and six-digit date of birth

If you do not receive access, you will receive the option to complete the following form:

database access help form

 

 

 

Evaluating websites

One of the biggest problems that individuals have with websites is that they are not sure that the content that they receive is accurate.  Here are some basic ways to evaluate a website:

 

  • Who - created the page/site? Look for an "About us"? What are the author's/organization's qualifications?

  • What - is the page/site about? Does it have info you need?

  • Where - is the info coming from? Check the URL/domain, look up domain owner.

  • Why - is the site on the web? How does it affect the info? Look for the purpose, the mission, and advertising. Is the site being persuasive?

  • When - was the site created/updated? Is the date important for the timeliness of the content?

  • How - accurate or credible is the page? How would I cite it? Are there spelling or grammar errors on the page? Can I verify the information from another source?

 

Plagiarism: How to avoid it