About the Library

Library Mission

As an integral partner in the teaching and learning process of the College, the mission of the JWCC Library is to provide quality information resources, effective instruction, and professional library services in a supportive learning environment.  The library strives to meet the information needs of our students, faculty and staff pursuant to the College’s educational mission, vision and goals.

Services

  • Access to a collection in print and electronic formats, including books, videos, periodicals, databases, and reference resources
  • Interlibrary Loan services available through the library’s membership in CARLI/I-Share (Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois  –  over 90 academic and research libraries throughout the state)
  • Access to other collections through WorldCat is possible. Please see library staff for more information.
  • Instruction in research and information literacy skills
  • Reference services and assistance
  • Over 90 computers for student use
  • 24 computers available for Public User access
  • Wireless access through the school’s Wi-Fi network
  • Mobile printing – black/white and color
  • Coin-operated photocopier (black/white & color)
  • Scanner for student use
  • Equipment available for in-library use:  laptops, tablets, headphones, DVD Drives, USB Drives, USB Laptop Lamps, calculators, charger kits for Apple and Android devices, digital voice recorder
  • Document station: shredder box, electric stapler, electric pencil sharpener, 3-hole punch
  • Quiet study areas
  • Collaborative study rooms equipped with large computer monitors and white board walls:  B113 has an interactive monitor.  B113 (holds 10 people); B121, B123, B124 (each hold 4 people).
  • Other instructional services available in the Academic Support Center include:  the Testing Room, various walk-in tutoring services, the Writing Center, and Open Learning

Staff

Library Policies

Circulation

Library Cards

  • Library cards are available to current students, faculty, staff, and JWCC District Residents over 18 years of age
  • The Student ID is used as a library card for students. JWCC students can obtain a Student ID at the Admissions Office
  • District residents may obtain a JWCC Library Card with a current photo ID and current proof of residence.

Loan Periods

Type of Material Students Faculty/Staff Community Patrons
Books 28-day loan period; may be renewed for up to 112 days total 90-day loan period; 14-day loan period, one  7-day renewal
Periodicals Non-circulating By arrangement with librarian only Non-circulating
Reference Materials Non-circulating By arrangement with librarian only Non-circulating
Reserve Materials Various loan periods as defined by instructor By arrangement with librarian only Non-circulating
DVD’s 1-day 28-day Non-circulating
Laptops 4-hour loan, In-library use A short-term loan of up to one week may be arranged with the librarian; for longer loans see IT. Non-circulating
Headphones, Calculators, etc. 4-hour loan, in-library use 4-hour loan 4-hour loan, in-library use
Kensington Presenters 4-hour loan 4-hour loan; for longer loans see IT. Non-circulating
Newspapers Non-circulating By arrangement with librarian only Non-circulating
Archive Materials Non-circulating By arrangement with Director LRC only Non-circulating

Borrower’s Responsibilities

Each borrower is responsible for:

  • All items checked out
  • Returning all items by the due date in the same condition as when borrowed
  • Any loss or damage to the materials
  • Notifying the library in the event of loss, theft, or possible unauthorized use of the card
  • Reporting changes of address or phone number

Interlibrary Loan

The John Wood Community College Library is a member of the CARLI (Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois) as well as RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library System).

Current JWCC students, faculty, and staff have access to items from many different libraries within the systems. These include academic, school, public, and special libraries. Items not owned by the library may be requested through interlibrary loan using the online catalog (Primo VE) or with assistance from a librarian. Interlibrary loan services are not available for Community patrons.

Library Bill of Rights

The library supports and practices the principles as stated in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights [Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019. Inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.] and the Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries:  An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights. [Approved by ACRL Board of Directors: June 29,1999 and adopted July 12, 2000 by the ALA Council; and amended on July 1, 2014.}

Confidentiality of Library Records

We protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received, and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.  We abide by the Library Records Confidentiality Act [75 ILCS 70/1].

Only authorized library staff may access and view personally identifiable information, and only with the user’s permission or as required to carry out fulfillment or billing transactions for the user.  Any violations of this policy should promptly be brought to the attention of the Director of the Learning Resources Center.

See also the John Wood Community College Website Privacy Policy.

Copyright

John Wood Community College Library complies with existing copyright laws and guidelines, or with vendor license agreements when these agreements differ from copyright law.

The JWCC Library encourages the fair use of copyrighted materials in support of its academic and research mission. The library strives to provide clear guidance to faculty, students, and staff who wish to use copyrighted materials in their teaching and research.

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code).  These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work.  In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement. For more information, please see the U.S. Copyright Office website or the Copyright Laws of the United States.

See also John Wood Community College Copyright Information website.

See also John Wood Community College Board Policy and Procedures 413, Student Conduct.

Collection Development Policy

The Collection development policy is a statement of standard practices and guidelines used by the John Wood Community College Library in the selection, maintenance, and weeding of library materials. The primary objective is to build and maintain a collection that supports the curriculum, library mission, and needs of the student population.

It also adheres to the principles stated in the American Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Statement, Library Bill of Rights, and the Freedom to Read Act.

Standard Practices for Collection Development

  • Ensure that the needs of all areas of the college community are being met through a cooperative approach to selection.
  • The library does not purchase textbooks. If an instructor wishes to place a copy on reserve, the instructor is responsible for obtaining the material.
  • Materials will be purchased in the format that is most appropriate for the collection
  • Strive to have complementary print and non-print collections
  • Interlibrary loan transactions will be analyzed to help identify gaps in the collection and recommended titles for future purchases.

Guidelines for Selecting Materials

  • Relevance of material to educational programs and college priorities
  • Quality and diversity in the collection, including a balanced presentation of controversial topics
  • Factual accuracy and objectivity
  • Currency of information as needed
  • Appropriateness to the community college patron (level, format, ease of access)