FAQ: Checking Out Books

What do I need to check out a book?

All CHC students need a CHC student ID card in order to check out books--the card serves as your library card. The student ID card can be obtained at the Student Life office, located right next to the Cafeteria. The first student ID card is free, though you will need a copy of your registration statement showing fees paid for the current semester.

If the ID machine happens to be out of service, the Library will accept your driver's license, state ID, military ID or passport AND a copy of your registration statement as proof of enrollment. However, these will only be temporarily accepted and you will need to continue to check with the Student Senate Office to obtain your CHC ID card. You may call them to check the machine's status and ask other ID-related questions at 909-389-3410.

For how long can I check-out books?

All books from our main collection (on the 3rd floor of the LRC) check out for a period of 21 days. You may renew books if you need more time with them. Reserve books and materials have varying check-out periods (set by your instructors) of between 1 and 2 hours. These books do not leave the library and may only be renewed if no other student is waiting to check them out.

What happens if I turn a book in late? Lose a book?

Late books will accrue fines of 10-cents per book, per day. After 30 days, you will be billed $42 for each missing book. If you return the lost item and it is still in good condition, the fine will drop to $5 per item.

If you lose a book entirely, you have the option of paying the standard $42 replacement charge or purchasing your own replacement copy, as long as it is the same edition and form (paperback, hardback, etc.) as the one you lost. If you choose this option, you must first speak with a Circulation staff member in order to receive the correct replacement criteria for the lost item.

Late Reserve books accrue fines at a rate of 25-cents every 15 minutes. If you do not return a Reserve book, you will be charged the full replacement cost of the item as these items belong to the instructors, not the library.

Can I renew my books online?

Yes, but you'll need to create an online account, get instructions here.

Where are the textbooks?

Textbooks and other materials put on Reserve by instructors are housed behind the Circulation desk and are accessible by staff only. When requesting a book, please be prepared to give staff the exact title of the book, your instructor's name and the course name (English 101, Math 090, etc.). This helps us find your materials faster.

Do you have textbooks for all my classes? Why not?

Unfortunately, no.  All items on Reserve have been kindly donated to the library on a temporary basis by the instructors. Instructors are not required to put books on Reserve, though you may ask them politely if they will make their materials available to the library for class use.

How do I find books?

Use our online book catalog to search for books by subject, title, author or keyword. From the results list, make sure the book's location is "CHC Book Stacks" and write down the call number. You can then go upstairs to the collection and pull the book. If you need assistance with how to read Library of Congress call numbers, please see a Reference librarian. There is also some helpful guidance here.

Can we check out magazines?

Yes, all periodicals are available for checked out.