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Library FAQ

How do I contact the library?

Where is the Library?

The library is located on the second floor of the Marvin Burt Liberal Arts Center. It is building M on the campus map.

How long can I check out . . .?

Materials in the Clarence Mitchell Library generally check out for 3 weeks. Items placed on Reserve for course use may have short checkout times or may be restricted to library use only. Items from other PrairieCat items usually check out for 3 weeks. Media from other libraries such as DVDs may sometimes have 1 or 2 week loan periods.

What are library fines?

Overdue materials are charged at 10 cents per day per overdue item. Fines for overdue items from our Reserve collection are 50 cents an hour (for hourly loans) or a dollar a day (for items that may leave the library). Lost materials are charged based on the replacement cost for the item and vary according to material.

How can I get research help?

Consult one of our staff librarians (Laura or Michael) for help with your research. You may contact them by phone or email with questions or to schedule an in-person research consultation. Consultations are also available by telephone or using our screen sharing software, Zoom. Contact us via email at library at highland.edu to schedule a Zoom session. If the Library is currently closed, try Chat with a Librarian a joint project of Illinois and Wisconsin libraries and is staffed by librarians from around the world to provide research assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,

How can I request an item that is not available at Clarence Mitchell Library?

When Highland students, faculty and staff need library resources beyond the PrairieCat catalog, they may request interlibrary loan (ILL) of books or articles. Interlibrary loan is a service that enables users to borrow materials owned by libraries beyond PrairieCat, from Illinois libraries or libraries throughout the country. An ILL request form is embedded in the links to resources in our databases which are not full text. If you have not located the items in our databases you may still request them via ILL. Contact the library for assistance with Interlibrary Loan.

How can I get help with citing sources?

  • Check out the HCC Student Writing Style and Form Guide created by Highland’s own Success Center staff. This guide is preferred by many Highland instructors for citations and references in term papers. It includes information on formatting in both MLA and APA Styles. With more detailed questions, you may need to consult the MLA or APA style guides themselves, both of which are available in the library. This item is in PDF format and requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • The Writing Center Center provides walk-in individualized assistance to students, no matter what the writing assignment. Located in the College’s Success Center on the ground floor of building M, the Writing Center is staffed by full-time HCC English department faculty. Students are encouraged to bring in writing assignments from any class. The writing center is not open during the summer months.
  • Need further help? Contact a Highland Librarian!