Frequently Asked Questions
Your NHCC photo ID card is also your library card and you will need this to check out books or study rooms. To find a book, go to the library’s webpage and click on the tab labeled “OneSearch” to open our online catalog. Next, you’ll type in the book’s title or author in the space provided and click on the “Search” button. This will give you a list of books that fit the title or books by that author. If you don’t see the title you’re looking for, we might not have a copy, in which case you might need to place an Interlibrary loan request for that item.
Once you have found the materials you’re looking for, you should bring them to the library’s circulation desk and present your student ID card. When you first check out a book, you get it for 21 days and you can renew it up to two times after that, either by contacting the library in person, by email, or over the phone. You can also renew books yourself (ask a library staff member to show you how).
The library has several study rooms that can accommodate anywhere from 1 to 6 students studying together. They are available on a first come, first served basis and cannot be reserved in advance. When you check out a study room, you’ll get it for two hours at a time and if no one is waiting, you can renew for another two hours.
To check out a room, please go to the library’s circulation desk and present your student ID card. If all the study rooms are checked out, you may be placed on a waiting list. There is also a quiet study area with study carrels in the library for your use. Study rooms are only available for currently-enrolled NHCC students.
During the school year, the library hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The library is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
During the summer, the library is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and closed most Fridays (during the college’s “summer core hours”). The library is closed on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer.
Any changes to these hours will be posted on the library doors.
The library Does Not Carry Current Textbooks for classes. You may occasionally take a class where the instructor has placed a copy of the textbook on reserve for in-library use only, but this is the exception to the rule and your instructor will let you know.
If the NHCC library does not have a particular book or access to an article that you need, we may be able to request it from another library. Interlibrary loan is a service that allows one library to borrow books and articles from another. The patron makes a request with their local library, which identifies owners of a desired item, places the request, receives the item and makes it available to the patron, and arranges for its return.
On the NHCC website, point your mouse to “Academics” and select the “Library” from the list of available options. Next, click on the “OneSearch” toward the top of the page to open our online catalog. Once within the catalog, you’ll select the “ILL Request” link in the top blue bar and sign in with your StarID and password. This will open a blank request form for either a book or an article. Select the one you want and fill in as many of the fields as possible (the more information you can provide, the better). When finished, click on “Send Request” and this will submit your request.
You will be notified via your campus email when your book has arrived and is ready to be picked up. You will need your student ID card to check it out. If placing an article request, you will receive an email with instructions on how to download a copy of the article. Interlibrary loans should be returned to the circulation desk. For more information, please contact Cristin Schulz (cristin.schulz@nhcc.edu).
The college librarian, Craig Larson, is available to help you find the information you need for your papers, research, and other class projects. The librarian maintains designated Reference Desk hours when anyone is free to walk-up and request assistance. You may also contact the librarian with questions via email (craig.larson@nhcc.edu), by phone (763-424-0733), or in person. The librarian can also meet with you via Zoom.
The library and tutoring area both provide a number of computers for general use, but not all are fully equipped with Microsoft Office (reference desk computers). There are two printers, which also scan and copy. There is a print pay station in the library, but the change machine will only take change and one-dollar bills in good condition—no credit cards. If you need change, you should go to the bookstore. If you need help navigating printing, please ask a library staff member or student work study for assistance.