Nursing Books
Nursing books, selected for the library by the nursing faculty, can be found both in the library's Reference (non-circulating) and Circulating book collections.  Most are shelved in the medical subject section (R's) of each collection, although a few may be found in related subject areas.  (See Library of Congress Classification Areas Related to Nursing for more information, and the online Library Handbook page 8 for information on how to locate books organized by the LC Classification System).  Books with "Nursing" printed on the label are circulated only to students currently enrolled in nursing programs affiliated with Isothermal Community College.  See Guidelines for Nursing Books for more specific information about nursing books.

Individual titles in the college's collection can be located by using the CMC Consortium Catalog and selecting "Isothermal Community College--Spindale Campus" from the list of libraries at the left of the screen.  Instructions for using specific search methods in the catalog can be found on page 2 of the online Library Handbook.

Books and Other Materials on Reserve
At the request of nursing faculty, selected nursing materials are kept on Reserve shelves at the Circulation desk for the use of students enrolled in particular courses.

Articles in Nursing Journals
PRINT RESOURCES:  The library subscribes to the medical and nursing journals listed in Medical Periodicals in the Library.  These are shelved alphabetically by title in the Periodicals Reading Room.  The current issue of each journal is displayed on the slanted shelf surface.  Up to two years' previous issues are stored underneath the slanted shelf; lift up the edge to access back issues.  While magazines and journals may not be checked out, photocopies of articles may be made.

ONLINE RESOURCES:  Links to the following resources can be found on the Library home page. If you are off-campus, you will need passwords to access these sites.  Please use this link to request a password; supply your full name and Social Security number OR your full name and date of birth for verification.

NC LIVE -- The library has access to the full text of articles in many professional journals and other reliable sources of information (much of which can be printed or emailed to your home computer) via an aggregate database known as NC LIVE.  Instructions for accessing and using NC LIVE can be found in NC LIVE Information Page; a list of useful resources in or linked from NC LIVE is available in Medical and Health Resources Available on NC LIVE, with links to each site or database.  To access EBSCOhost from the NC LIVE home page, click Browse Resources, then Vendor, and click on EBSCOhost.  A list of databases will follow from which you can choose to search by reading the accompanying descriptions. 

STAT!Ref -- This database is comprised of the full text contents of thirty-seven professional medical reference volumes, plus a standard medical dictionary; a tool for making medical calculations; a historical archive of biomedical articles back to the 1950's; and a resource for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.  The reference works can be searched individually, but a more effective method may be to use the search box to scan the contents of all the resources. Your search also can be narrowed by using the Advanced Search option to limit it to selected medical reference sources or other choices, or click on the different category filters to narrow results.

Health Reference Center -- This database has health and medical information suited for public use, and generally is not appropriate for medical research.

Other Resources on the Internet
In addition to the resources available through NC LIVE, many professional institutions, organizations and publishers make useful information available over the Internet.  Some of these, selected by the professional library staff, are listed on the Library's Internet Links page, and linked from Medical & Health-Related Sites on the Internet as well.  Medical Journals on the Internet is a list of professional nursing journals accessible over the Internet.

Evaluating Sources for Reliability
Help in assessing the value of information sources can be found in Information Literacy: Evaluating Resources.

Ask the Library Staff for Assistance
If you don't find what you need, ask a library professional, who may be able to assist you in locating the desired information.  Email Charles Wiggins, Engle Troxler or Becky Cleland, call the library at 828-286-4636, or ask for help at the Circulation desk if you are in the library.  You may also wish to consider using the library's Interlibrary Loan service.  (The nursing faculty is in charge of selecting nursing materials for the library collection; therefore, please alert nursing faculty or library staff if needed materials are unavailable.)

Interlibrary Loan Service
You may borrow books or obtain photocopies of articles from other libraries through the use of Interlibrary Loan service, either by coming to the library Circulation desk and requesting a form, or by completing an electronic form at the Interlibrary Loan page.  NOTE:  Items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan may take up to ten days to arrive; be sure that you have enough time when considering acquiring information in this manner.