Searching All ACC Libraries
The library catalog searches the NVC collection by default if you are on campus. However, you can use the drop-down box to expand your search to all ACCD colleges or to a specific campus. Items from other campuses can be requrested through interlibrary loan (contact the Reference Desk for help) or checked out directly from that campus using your NVC Student I.D.
Using the Catalog to Find Sources
You can find the Library Catalog on the Library's homepage (http://www.accd.edu/nvc/lrc/default.htm). Keyword Search: Enter a few basic terms on the topic you're looking for. Example: homelessness, steroids. Try the keyword search strategies below to get the most relevant results for your topic. By the way, you can use these keyword strategies with the online databases and internet search engines, too. Phrases - Place words in parentheses when it is essential for them to be searched together as a phrase. Example: "gun control." Boolean Operators - Combine two search terms to focus a topic by using and, or, not. Example: athletes and drugs. Example: Saturn not car Synonyms – Always brainstorm about different words for the concept you want to research, and use those terms, too. Example: "death penalty," "capital punishment." Truncation - Use an asterisk * to take the place of one or more letters in a word so that variant forms can be searched at the same time. Example: med* searches medical, medicine, medicinal, medication. Nesting - You can search multiple synonyms at the same time by placing them in parentheses and connecting them with the word or. Example: ("death penalty" or "capital punishment") and law*.
Where to Find Library Materials
Classification Scheme: The NVC library uses the Library of Congress classification system for our books and videos. Each call number begins with one or two letters corresponding to the subject area of the item. After using the Online Catalog to obtain the call number of an item, use the call number to find its exact location on a shelf. Similar materials will be shelved in the same area, so it's a good idea to explore the surrounding area, too.
Reference: Reference books are located on the low shelves along the wall by the Reference Desk. They can only be used in the library.
Books for Check-Out/ "the Stacks": The tall shelving in the middle of the Library contains books that can be borrowed.
Videos: Videos (DVD and VHS) are located on the shelving at the end of the Library near the entrance to the Cyber Cafe.
CDs: CDs are located in the wooden bins just past the Reference area. CDs have the designator [sound recording] after their title in the catalog, with the Location of NVC Audio. Music CDs are classified accordiong to genre, and non-musical CDs such as those containing speeches and poetry are found in the Spoken Word area of the CD bins.
Subject Searching
Subject Search - In a Subject Search you use the subject headings established by the Library of Congress to locate materials on your topic. One way to identify appropriate subject headings is to find a good book on your topic through a Keyword Search and see what subject headings are used to describe that book. You can click on those subject headings to find more materials on the same subject. For example, doing a keyword search on drugs and athletes will retrieve books with these subject headings:
Doping in sports.
Athletes--drug use.
Subject Guide |
Linda ReevesSearching Different Media
Limiting by Material Type: You can restrict the types of materials (print,
e-book, video, etc.) using the Advanced Keyword Search and selecting a particular material type.
Electronic Books: You have access to over 30,000 fulltext electronic books that you can pull up from any computer with internet access. Ebooks are identified in the library catalog as [electronic resource]. Click on the title of the book and then on the link that says Electronic book access for Northwest Vista College. Then click View this eBook.
Check Out Policies & Procedures
What do I need to check out library materials? Students should use their current student ID or produce a picture ID and give their Social Security number.
Check Out periods for Students:
Books: 14 days
Videos & DVDs: 7 days
CDs: 14 days
Reference Books: Must be used in the Library. Photocopiers available, 10 cents/page.
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