Library FAQs
.We’re in the business of answering questions, and the PC library staff and faculty are happy to address any question you may have: from simple procedural ones to more complex research-level reference questions. For immediate answers to common queries, we’ve developed this list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Your student ID (commonly called the Cub Card) acts as a library card.
20 items can be checked out at once.
Up to 5 of the 20 may be non-books. Students may use "Faculty Use Only" media materials in the library only.
Books– 28 days | Non-books - 7 days
Generally, 1 renewal is allowed.
Some materials (course reserve, faculty use only, journals, newspapers) are in library use.
Material may be renewed in person at the Circulation Desk, by telephone (602-285-7473), or online. To renew online, connect to the Library Catalog and select My Account.
A valid Phoenix College ID card is required.
Renewals are not allowed if another patron has placed a hold on the item or if your library account has an overdue status or has unpaid overdue fines.
- Course Reserves: $.50 per hour per item up to $50.00. Fines begin immediately after the due time. Material will be considered lost 2 days after the overdue. The cost of the item and $10.00 processing fee will be added to your library account and student record.
- Books 28 days past the due date and Non-books 14 days past the due date will be considered lost. Cost of the item and $10.00 processing fee will be added to library account and student record.
- Interlibrary Loan: $.10 per day minimum, amount may vary depending on the Lending Library's policy.
- Students, Alumni and Community Borrowers may not check material out of the library if they owe $5.00 or more in Course Reserve Fines, processing fees, or have lost material.
Payment for lost material and processing fees may be made at the Cashier's Office or online in the Student Center
A book drop is located near the Circulation Desk. Two book drops are also available outside of the library.
Use the online LIBRARY CATALOG. You can search by subject, keyword, title, or author. Ask at the Reference Desk for assistance.
There is a wide selection of videos, including subjects such as Mathematics and English as a Second Language (ESL). Entertainment videos and foreign language videos are also available. Private viewing rooms to watch videos are located on the main and 2nd floors of the library.
In addition to books and videos, the library also has magazines, newspapers, scholarly journals, audiotapes, sheet music, scores, DVDs, CDs, reference materials, and databases of information. The library houses various types of collections including: American Sign Language, Career & College, ESL & Foreign Language, Juvenile Books, Leisure Reading, Legal, Paperbacks, and Special/Historical.
Reserve materials are located at the Circulation Desk. They are available for current Phoenix College students to use in the library. They are placed under the instructor’s name, subject code, and course number. Most reserve materials cannot be taken out of the library. You can search the Library Catalog to see what has been placed on reserve. Simply click on the tab marked Course Reserves, and enter you instructor name or course number.
You don't need to create an account. Just login to the computers using your My.Maricopa username and password (MEID/Password). You may only be logged in to one computer at a time.
The library has computers with access to the Internet. Priority is given to students doing class related research. Computers in both the library and the Learning Commons have the entire Microsoft Office Suite: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Publisher.
The Library and Learning Commons use a pay-for-printing system with a cost of 10¢ per black and white one side and 15¢ black and white both sides of the page. You pay for prints by adding money to your account using the account management kiosk. You must have an active MEID and password to use the kiosk.
There is a color printer available on the main floor. The cost for color prints is 25¢ a page (one side). The library also has scanners available for no charge.
Yes, the library has wireless internet access. You can use your own laptop or checkout one of 3 laptops available for use in the library. For more info, visit the circulation desk.
Some of the smaller study rooms can be used for quiet study if no one needs them for viewing videos. Group and individual study rooms are also available on the 2nd floor. Study rooms equipped with computers will need to be reserved.
Visit the Reference Desk. There is a librarian available at all times to help. You can also call the Reference Desk (602-285-7470) or the Circulation Desk (602-285-7473), or Chat with a Librarian 24/7 via our online reference service available from the library homepage.
The library’s website provides access to the Library Catalog, online databases, reference resources and Internet search tools. You will also find a collection of research guides and tutorials, and additional information about the Library’s collections.