About the Library

Location Contacts and Hours	Collection and Services
Internet Access	Library Catalog and Databases
Who May Use The Library	Loan Periods
Renewals	Fines and Fees

Contact and Hours Information
Berkeley City College Library is the smallest of Peralta Community College libraries. While small, we provide a wide array of services.

* Represents fall and spring semester hours. Summer hours are subject to change. For scheduled summer hours and more information, please call 981-2824.

Collection and Services

Reference Desk
There are three librarians, Barbara Dorham, Joshua Boatright, and Fred Cisin available for information regarding course-related work or other research projects. The librarians are the best resource to use when you have questions about using the library or finding the exact information you want.

General Collection
There is a small highly selected core collection of books that can be checked out of the library. By simply presenting your Peralta Photo ID card with a current sticker or a valid California driver’s license/ID along with a copy of your class printout, you may check out any item from the general collection for a period of two-weeks.

Reference Collection
Reference books are compiled to supply definite pieces of information and are intended to be referred to rather than read through. They must be available for ready consultation. Therefore, they are to be used in the library only.

Reserve Books
The Library has a small collection of reserved books that has been put “on reserve” by Berkeley City College instructors for library-only use, so that everyone in a class has access to them. Most reserve items are 2-hour use in the library only. Some reserves can be checked out for two to three days. Reserve overdue fines can be quite costly, so if you must borrow these items, make every attempt to return your borrow books on time.

AudioVisuals
We house a few videos and CDs. None of these items circulate outside the library. For more information about these materials, please talk with the library staff.

Internet Access

Internet Access
Currently the Library has ten computer terminals (PCs & MACs) that provide student access to Internet, library catalog, and a host of electronic databases. One PC is reserved for faculty and DSPS users.

No word processing or CIS course-related work can be done in the Library. For such projects, use the Lab located on the 4th floor. Chat rooms and games are not allowed.

Library Catalog and Databases

Library Catalog
Berkeley City College Library has a shared online catalog with College of Alameda, Laney, and Merritt libraries. This means that students and the faculty have access to the District’s comprehensive holdings via the dedicated terminals in the library. This online catalog is the index to the library collection. The catalogue may be searched by Author, Title, Subject or Keyword.
Other materials such as videotapes, audiotapes, CD-ROMs and pamphlets are also in this database. The full record entry for an item provides the LOCATION (the college and general shelving area) and the item’s CALL NUMBER.

Databases
Berkeley City College Library currently subscribes to several databases, for a list of current databases click on databases from the libraries home page.

Get Your Photo ID Card!
Berleley City College enrolled students, faculty, and staff are eligible for a variety of services offered by the library. Your Peralta Photo ID serves as your Library card. You can find information pertaining to the requirements for obtaining a Berkeley City College Photo Identification card from the Berkeley City College Student Services Website

Checking out Items
All borrower registration takes place at the Circulation Desk. All eligible borrowers must present a Peralta Photo ID card with a current sticker or a California driver's license with a copy of their class printout.

Loan Periods
Each area has its own rules and procedures which are needed to deal with the different problems of usage, availability and format. Borrowers are responsible for returning materials on or before the due date.

Material Type
General Collection
Reserve Books
Reference Items
Audiovisuals
Periodicals

Loan Period
2 weeks
2 hours up to 3 days
library use only
library use only
library use only

Renewals and Overdue Fines
You can renew General Collection books in person or by phone providing they are not overdue or that another person has not placed a hold on the item. There are no telephone revewals for Reserve Materials. Checked out item(s) can be renewed twice if returned on time and if no one else is waiting to borrow the item(s). If an item is overdue, borrowing privileges at all Peralta libraries will be blocked until the item is returned and fines are paid.

If you borrow an item from the library and fail to return it on time, a block will be applied to your student record. This block will remain until items are returned and all accrued fines are paid. Because it is a district-wide block, you will not be allowed to borrow items from any of the Peralta libraries. Be advised that a block on your records prohibits you from obtaining your transcripts, graduating, and re-registering for future Peralta courses.

Fines / Fees
Checkout dates on these materials start on the day the materials are checked out.

Items overdue from the General Collection will accrue a $ 1.00 per day fine.
2-hour reserve books not returned by due time will accrue a $ 1.00 per hour fine. Failure to return book on the same day before closing time will also result in a $ 10.00 penalty fee per day.
1-day, 2-day, and 3-day reserve books not returned on time will accrue a $ 2.00 per day fee. Failure to return book on due date before closing time will also result in a $ 10.00 penalty fee per day.