Welcome to the Library!

What We Can Do for You

RESERVES  We will put items such as books or articles on the reserve shelves at the circulation desk, or create e-reserves (digital documents) from hardcopy that you can post on Moodle for use with your classes.

LINKS TO TOPICAL SITES  We will post links to resources for special assignments on our Course-Related Internet Links page linked from the library homepage. Please let us know at least a week in advance of the assignment so we can research the subject, assemble the links, and have the information published online when needed.

BIBLIOGRAPHIES  We will research and compile bibliographies from our online catalog and/or prepare "webliographies" of electronic sites. We will have these printed as handouts upon request.

REFERENCE  We provide "quick reference" information via telephone, email, or in person, and we are happy to assist you with more extensive research for instructional purposes as time permits.

INSTRUCTION IN THE USE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES  A basic orientation of the library and an introduction to selected resources is provided in the freshman Success and Study Skills (ACA 115) course. At faculty request, instruction in research methods, use of print and electronic resources, evaluation and documentation of sources, information ethics, etc. is provided. The library staff will be glad to discuss the requirements of your course and customize instruction to meet specific needs. We are always available to faculty and students for point-of-use assistance!

What You Can Do For Us

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT  Faculty assistance in selecting materials to meet the needs of students is important and always appreciated, and we accept requests at any time, in any format. If you wish, you may search for and select materials and send your requests to library staff in one electronic operation using the Online Selection Assistant. Instructions and a link are posted on the library homepage in the box Library Services for Faculty and Staff. No matter how you let us know what is needed, we will let you know when items that you have requested arrive.

Library Collections and Resources

BOOKS AND MEDIA  The college library is a member of the CMC Library Consortium, a cooperative of the county, municipal, and college libraries serving Rutherford and Polk counties. The college library has more than 38,000 books and a substantial collection of videotapes, DVDs, CDs and other media. The Consortium as a whole has over 250,000 items, all of which are indexed in the CMC Library Consortium Catalog, and most of which can be checked out using a common library card.

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES  The current issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education is now available online for your perusal, in addition to searchable back issues.  The library provides access to NC LIVE, a collection of databases made available via the Internet by the state of North Carolina to its public and academic libraries. This is a popular and reliable source of research information for students and faculty. A password for off-campus use of NC LIVE may be obtained at the library circulation desk or from the library homepage via email. For more information, see the NC LIVE Information webpage. 

MAGAZINES AND JOURNALS IN PRINT  A listing of the library's periodical subscriptions, and holdings of local newspapers in print and on microfilm can be found in the library's Periodicals Reading Room or on the library webpage under Periodicals Holdings list.

MICROFILM  Although mostly replaced by electronic resources, microfilm of census records, county court records, and local newspapers are retained in support of the Old Tryon Historical Collection.

LIBRARY WEBSITE  Library staff design and maintain the library website for quick access to the online catalog, NC LIVE, and resources to assist students in performing research, evaluating and documenting information resources, and writing papers. Links to guides, handouts, resources for special assignments, and information for distance learners and the Hispanic community are provided.

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Library Equipment, Facilities, and Other Services

PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS  The library has twenty computers in the lobby that provide access to the Internet, to NC LIVE, and to Microsoft Office products: Word, Excel, Access, FrontPage and PowerPoint. Anyone who is at least fourteen years old and has a library card issued by the CMC Consortium (Isothermal Library or any Rutherford County or Polk County Public Library) may use the computers; users enter a code (posted on the monitors) each time before using a library terminal. Black & white prints may be made for $.05; color prints for $.25.

COMPUTER LAB  A twenty-four seat computer lab, located in the back of the library, may be reserved for occasional use by supervised classes and for training. A ceiling mounted data projector is connected to one of the computers for projection on a wall screen, and a networked printer is available. Contact library staff for lab availability and guidelines for use.

PHOTOCOPIER  A public photocopier with numerous features is available in the lobby. Copies are ten cents for any size; faculty and staff may use the photocopier at no charge for instructional use. The Campus Print Shop should be used for reproduction of handouts and other high-volume copying.

INTERLIBRARY LOAN  Library staff can initiate requests for books or articles not available locally through Interlibrary Loan. Check the Interlibrary Loan link on the library webpage for details.

DISABILITIES ASSISTANCE/ACCESS  Assistive software is available on a computer in the lobby for those with visual impairment. Wheelchairs are accommodated by an entrance ramp, a push-plate triggered automatic door, and a wheelchair-accessible restroom.

See the Library Services - Students and other sections of the library homepage for more information on library services, policies, and procedures.

Contacting the Library Staff
Please stop by, telephone, or email us with your questions, requests, suggestions, or concerns!

Charles P. Wiggins, Director of the Library	ext. 216	cpwiggins@isothermal.edu
Becky Cleland, Evening Librarian	ext. 309	rcleland@isothermal.edu
Engle Troxler, Reference/Circulation Librarian	ext. 217 or 286-4636	etroxler@isothermal.edu

LINKS to Sites of Interest

Please note:  Some of the links on this page go to external web sites that are not connected with Isothermal Community College. Including them on this page does not indicate any endorsement by Isothermal and Isothermal is not responsible for the accuracy of their content.
 
Education Links  from the Library Internet Links webpage
 
Instructional Resources  from the Isothermal CC website
      
The Learning Page  The Library of Congress. "Through a variety of professional development programs and resources, educators can learn how to effectively use American Memory resources in the classroom."
  
MERLOT  "MERLOT is a free and open resource designed primarily for faculty and students of higher education. Links to online learning materials are collected here along with annotations such as peer reviews and assignments."

Washington Center National Learning Commons  "...a national resource for curricular learning community work."