Last updated 8-07	Isothermal Community College P.O. Box 804, Spindale NC 28160 (828) 286-4636  fax (828) 286-8208 For more information, contact Director of Library Services Charles P. Wiggins

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Library Services

This page provides a quick introduction to some of our services, holdings and policies.
For further information, please refer to Library Services for Students.
 

 The CMC Library Consortium and Public Access Catalog 
The CMC Library Consortium is a cooperative organization of the libraries in Rutherford County and Polk County, North Carolina.  Members include Isothermal Community College Library; Rutherford County Public Library and its branches (Haynes and Mountains); the municipal libraries of Rutherford County (Mooneyham, Norris, and Spindale); and the public libraries of Polk County and its branch library in Saluda.  For more information, visit the CMC Library Consortium homepage.  From this page, the Consortium also maintains an online union catalog of holdings of all member libraries in which you may search author, title, subject, and notes indexes separately or in combination.  You may limit your search to one or more specific libraries if you wish.

General Collection
Books are organized according to the Library of Congress (LC) Classification System. The book collection consists of non-circulating Reference materials, such as encyclopedias, almanacs, and atlases; and the general collection, items from which may be borrowed by anyone with a valid library card. Within these two categories are special materials labeled with a prefix above the call number to denote type of material, such as Oversize , or location of item, such as Tryon Room . The library has several special collections, which are housed in the library and in other locations on the Spindale campus.

Periodicals
The library subscribes to approximately 200 current periodicals (magazines, journals and newspapers). The Isothermal Community College Library Periodicals Holdings list contains information regarding the library's periodicals, including those to which the library currently subscribes, and back issues on microfilm. Periodicals are arranged alphabetically on shelving in the library's Periodicals Reading Room. Up to two years of back issues may be found in compartments behind the current issues; older back issues of many titles are available on microfilm. A selection of local, regional and national newspapers is shelved adjacent to the Reading Room. A variety of print and electronic indexes is available for locating information. Periodicals are non-circulating; however, photocopies may be made for a nominal fee.

Media  
Media may be circulating or non-circulating. Circulating materials include fiction and non-fiction books-on-tape, music and self-help audiocassettes; a variety of movie classics and educational videotapes and DVDs; and a small collection of compact disks. All holdings records are included in the catalog. Non-circulating videotapes are primarily for use by faculty in the classroom, but can be viewed in-house on library equipment by students and others.  

Special Collections
The library's Old Tryon Historical Collection includes books, journals and clippings about Rutherford and Polk counties and much of the area once known as Tryon County. Local and area newspapers and census and court records are available on microfilm. The collection is open to anyone with an interest in local history. Although many of the historical materials are non-circulating, some books may be borrowed.

The Career Center library provides resources on career exploration, college transfer opportunities, interpersonal skills and related concerns. The Career Center is located in the Student Center. Students and others are welcome to borrow Career Center materials.

The Small Business Center library, located within the Customized Training and Development Center in the Foundation building, has a variety of materials on starting, managing or expanding a small business. Videotapes may be viewed in the Center, and books and videos may be borrowed.

Circulation
Any person who wishes to borrow materials from the college library must have a valid library card issued by the college, by the Rutherford County Library system, the Polk County Library system, or by one of the municipal libraries in Rutherford County. A library card can be obtained at no charge by completing a registration form at the Circulation desk. To qualify for a library card, a person must be at least 14 years old* and:

1) be currently enrolled in one or more classes at Isothermal Community College,
        OR
2) be a permanent resident of Rutherford County or Polk County.

*Exception:  Students currently enrolled in the college's REACH program qualify for a library card, even if they are underage.

The schedule for circulation of library holdings is based on type of material and the borrower's status, i.e., student, faculty/staff, community. Fines are charged for materials that are returned after the due date.  (For details, see Library Services for Students, page 5.)

Interlibrary Loan
Material held by libraries beyond our system may be obtained through interlibrary loan by anyone having a valid library card issued by one of our member libraries. Requests for specific items or for information on a particular subject may be made by completing a form at the Circulation Desk, or via the Interlibrary Loan page.

If you are outside of our service area (Rutherford and Polk Counties, NC), most materials in the college library may be borrowed through your local academic, public or corporate library. (Distance learning students, see special instructions on Interlibrary Loan page.)

Access to Electronic Resources
The college library provides access to the Internet and to Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Front Page and Power Point software to the public, Isothermal students and staff on terminals in the library lobby.  Internet users agree to abide by the guidelines stated in the Guidelines for Use of Library Computers and the college Computer Resources, Internet, and Network Use Policy, which are displayed on the screen each time access to the Internet is initiated on library terminals.