What kind of information resources are available through the library?
Answer
Library Collection
The Merced College Library's collection is focused on resources that support your research projects, faculty teaching practices, and the broader college curriculum. The library also has Course Reserves, which are textbooks that instructors put on hold for students to use inside the library. Between both campuses, the library has around 55,000 print books you can take home, but most of the library's collection is actually online.
Databases & OneSearch
The library provides you with access to hundreds of thousands of eBooks, streaming videos, and journal, magazine, and news articles through 70 database subscriptions, which are available 24/7 using your MC Portal credentials. To search for print books, use OneSearch, the library catalog, but note that OneSearch can also help you find content from many of the library's databases.
Physical Materials
Downey Learning Resource Center
1st Floor: Reference, Magazines, DVDs, & New Books
This floor of the Downey Center has print magazines and a small collection of reference books, like encyclopedias and handbooks, that you can browse while in the building. Course Reserves are housed behind the 1st floor Service Desk and are also for in-library use.
Make sure to take a look at the library's newest books in the New Books display. You can also check out new books and other books on display for three weeks with your MCCD ID at the Service Desk on either floor. Additionally, the library has a small collection of DVDs that you can check out for 1 week.
2nd Floor: Nonfiction, Biography, Fiction, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, & Picture Books
The books on the 2nd floor are mostly non-fiction, but you can also find sections dedicated to biography, fiction, young adult novels, and graphic novels. The Wendell Olson Forum on this floor houses the library's picture book collection.
All books on the 2nd floor can be checked out for three weeks with your MCCD ID. You can check out and return books at the Service Desk on either floor.
Los Baños Campus Library
The library in Los Baños, located in the A building, also has a print collection of Course Reserves, reference, nonfiction, biography, fiction, young adult, graphic novels, and children's picture books. Like the Downey Center, reference books and items on Course Reserves are for in-library use, but all other books check out for three weeks with your MCCD ID.
Holds
As long at the item you're interested in isn't in Reference or Course Reserves, you can put items on hold from either campus library. You don't need to travel--just place the item on hold through OneSearch and list which library you want to pick it up. You'll get an email notification when it's ready, and you can also return it to either library. We'll take care of the rest!