Reference Assistance

We welcome and encourage any questions you may have about using the library. If you need assistance searching the library catalog or the Library’s research databases, locating materials, or with any other research or reference need, visit with the Library Staff, use the Ask-A-Librarian Form, or call the College Library at (619)201-8680, or the Seminary Library at (619) 201-8966

Research Appointments

For more in-depth research projects or help in starting a research paper, make an appointment with a College reference librarian by calling (619) 201-8680, or by email, or with a Seminary reference librarian by calling (619) 201-8967, or by email.

Guides & Tutorials

We want to help you build your library research skills and provide assistance with the use of the many research databases.

Database Guides

The guide shows you how to use the major research databases to find e-books, articles, streaming audio & video, including tutorials & guides created by the database vendors.

Library Research Guides

A series of guides to help develop your researching skills, broaden your knowledge of library resources, & using the library & doing research.

LibGuides

These guides show students the books, periodicals, databases, and websites for a subject/discipline or even for a specific assignment in one convenient place.

Citation Guide

Compares the core elements of APA, MLA & Turabian Citation Styles to help you write papers and create bibliographies, references, or works cited lists. Includes a section about plagiarism.

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a service provided to supply you with the books and articles not owned by the College or Seminary Libraries. This service is available only for current students, faculty and staff of SDCC and SCS.

Book requests are usually received within 1-2 weeks. They are mailed through the U.S. mail system via library rate. It is important that the borrowed item is returned by the due date written on the ILL band attached to the book’s cover. If you need the book past the due date, contact the Systems Librarian about the possibility for renewal by calling (619) 201-8769 or by email. In the rare case that a library willing to loan the book for free cannot be found, you may be asked if you are willing to pay for the loan.

Print items requested must be picked up at the designated library.

Article requests are usually received within 2-3 days. This is because they are typically sent to us electronically as a photocopy. You will not have to return a photocopied article. Because of the effort involved in locating and photocopying article requests, it is more common for libraries to charge. Please fill in the “willing to pay” field in the ILL form. If they charge, libraries typically set a $5-20 fee for photocopies.

You will be contacted by email or telephone when items are received.

Wireless & Electrical Outlets

A wireless network for Internet access and multiple electrical outlets are available in the Library. There is an open wireless network for guest users.

Printers/Copiers

A student ID (which is linked to your network account) is required to copy or print. The cost of printing/copying at SDCC is $.08 for black & white, and $.30 for color. The cost of printing/copying at SCS is $.06 for black & white, and $.25 for color.

Computers

There are 8 computers available in the SDCC Library and 3 computers (1 with Bible software) in the SCS Library which provide Internet and email access, as well as other computing needs. Each computer is equipped with Microsoft Windows as well as Microsoft Office and other software programs, DVD/RW drives and headphones. You must have a valid SDCC or SCS network account to access the computers and subscription databases, or check in at the Circulation desk as a guest user.

SCS Library - Laptop Checkout

The SCS Library has acquired laptop computers for use by students (within the library), staff and faculty (on campus). These wireless laptops are equipped with the Microsoft Office Suite and can connect to the wireless network. They are a significant investment for the library; respect for the equipment and the rights of others is requested.

Eligible Borrowers

• Laptops are available for current students, staff and faculty.
• Users with a library account in good standing. Users with library holds or suspended library privileges are not eligible to check out laptops until their library accounts are cleared of all charges.

Student Borrowing Guidelines

• A valid, current institutional ID is required for checkout. This ID must be presented and will be retained until the laptop is returned and its condition checked by library staff. There are no exceptions to this policy unless approved by the Library Director.
• A current Laptop Loan Agreement form must be completed by students and signed prior to checking out a laptop. Once signed, the agreement will be retained through the current academic semester at the Circulation Desk.
• Laptops must be used in the library; they may not be taken out of the building. Removing a laptop or any of its peripherals from the building will be considered theft. In case of a library evacuation, keep the laptop with you and return it when you are permitted to re-enter the building.
• Laptops are available on a first-come first-served basis. They cannot be reserved or transferred between library locations.
• The loan period is 4 hours with one renewal if no one is waiting. Laptops are cataloged in WMS and will be checked out through the library catalog.
• Laptops may not be checked out for other individuals.
• Only one laptop may be checked out per person.
• Laptop computers must not be left unattended at any time. Users checking out laptops are responsible for them the entire time they are checked out to the individual.

Staff and Faculty Borrowing Guidelines

• A valid, current institutional ID is required for checkout.
• Laptops must be used on campus; they may not be taken off school property. Removing a laptop or any of its peripherals from the campus will be considered theft. In case of a library evacuation, keep the laptop with you and return it when you are permitted to re-enter the building.
• Laptops are available on a first-come first-served basis, except when reserved for group training. They cannot be transferred between library locations.
• Laptops are cataloged in WMS and will be checked out through the library catalog.
• The loan period is 4 hours with one renewal if no one is waiting.
• Laptops may be checked out for other individuals for staff training.
• Laptop computers must not be left unattended at any time. Users checking out laptops are responsible for them the entire time they are checked out to the individual.

Return Procedures

• Laptops are due back to the Circulation Desk after 4 hours or 30 minutes before the library closes. There are no overnight loans on laptops.
• The laptop must be returned to library staff at the Circulation Desk in the same operating condition as when it was borrowed, including all peripherals and accessories.
• Library staff will check the laptop for any damage, prior to returning the patron’s ID. This may take 10 to 15 minutes.
• If damage has occurred, charges will be assessed according to the schedule below.

Fines, Fees & Replacement Costs

• The overdue fine for a laptop returned after it is due is $5 per hour or part of an hour up to a maximum of $115.  All fines and charges will be attached to the student’s library account and may result in registration restrictions and the blocking of transcripts. Staff and faculty will accrue overdue fines.
• If a laptop is 24 hours overdue, it is considered lost or stolen and the student (or staff/faculty department) checking out the laptop will be charged for its replacement. The individual checking out the laptop assumes all responsibility for the laptop while in his/her custody. The Library assumes no responsibility if the laptop is stolen while checked out to a patron.
• The borrower will be responsible for the appropriate replacement charges and a non-refundable $30 processing fee (in addition to accrued late charges). Fines and fees are billed to the student account or staff/faculty department.

Fines

• Overdue fine (per hour) $5.00 ($115.00 max)

Replacement Costs

• Computer $1,500.00
• Power cord with AC Adapter $100.00
• Mouse $20.00
• Battery $150.00

Fees

• Processing fee: $30.00

Laptop Agreement

The first time a student checks out a laptop each semester, a Laptop Agreement Form must be completed and signed. This agreement acknowledges financial responsibility for lost or damaged equipment. The form will be kept on file at the Circulation Desk in the library for that semester.

Printing and Saving

• Users need to save their data to their thumb drives or to their personal Web space. Do not save anything to the laptop’s “C” drive; it will be deleted once the laptop is powered off.
• Users are encouraged to save their work frequently. Battery failure may result in lost work.
• Printing is not available with the laptops.

Additional Guidelines

• Users may not attach unauthorized hardware to the laptops, install personal software, or change system settings.
• Neither the College or Seminary Library nor San Diego Christian College or Southern California Seminary is responsible for damage to personal disks or for the loss of any data during the loan period.

Assistance

• If you experience problems with laptop hardware or applications, please bring the laptop to the Circulation Desk for assistance.

Circulation

You need your Student ID card to check out materials, to make copies, and to print in the library.

Books/Audio Books/CDs are loaned for a 3-week period with one 3-week renewal allowed. DVD/VHS materials are loaned for 7 days with one renewal allowed. You can renew items on or before the date they are due through your My Library Account in the Library Catalog, or by contacting the College Library at (619) 201-8680 or by email, or the Seminary Library at (619) 201-8966 or by email.

Overdue & Lost Items

If you have overdue material you will not be allowed to check out any other material until those items are returned or renewed. Courtesy reminder notices are sent out to your institutional email account before item(s)are due and overdue notices are sent each week after and item is overdue.

Once an item(s) has been overdue for 6 weeks the item(s) will be considered lost and fees will be sent to the Student Accounts Office. The fee for a lost item(s) is a minimum of $50, plus a $10 processing fee. Students will be notified they have an overdue item(s) by email every week up to 6 weeks, and will be given a courtesy phone call 1 week before fees are sent to the Student Accounts Office. If the item is returned to the library, the lost book charge will be reversed by the Student Accounts Office; however, the $10 processing fee is non-refundable.

Book Drop

For your convenience a 24 hour book drop box is located near the entrance to the library.

Course Reserves

Reserve items and other materials placed on limited loan by faculty members must be used in the library. These may be requested at the Circulation desk for two hour use. Reserve materials may also be checked out one hour before closing time but must be returned when the library opens the next day.

Reference/Periodicals

Reference materials, journals, magazines, and newspapers are available for use in the library only.

Article & Database Access

Many of the library’s online resources are available only to current SDCC and SCS students, faculty, and staff because of licensing agreements. Off-campus users must be authenticated (via EZ Proxy) to use these subscription-based resources.

SDCC students log-in using your institutional network account (same as Empower, Edvance 360, email). Contact the SDCC Library (619) 201-8680, or by email if you are not able to access library resources.

SCS students log-in using your institutional network account (same as Blackboard, email). Contact the Seminary Library (619) 201-8966, or by email if you are not able to access library resources.

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is the way the College and Seminary Libraries provide you with the books and articles that it does not own by borrowing a copy from other libraries. This service is available free for current students, faculty and staff of SCS and SDCC.

Book requests are usually received within 10 days. They are mailed to us via USPS, media rate. It is important that the borrowed item is returned by the due date written on the ILL band attached to the book’s cover. If you need the book past the due date, contact the Systems Librarian about the possibility for renewal by calling (619) 201-8769 or by email. In rare cases, if we cannot find a library willing to loan the book for free, you may be asked to pay for the loan.

Article requests, usually photocopies, are normally received within 2-3 days. This is because they are typically sent to us electronically. You will not have to return a photocopied article. Because of the effort involved in locating and copying article requests, it is more common for libraries to charge for the request. Please fill in the “willing to pay” field in the ILL form. If they charge, libraries typically set a $5-20 fee for photocopies.

You will be contacted by email or telephone when your material arrives.

Transferring Items

The library catalog contains the holdings of both the SDCC Library “College Library” and the SCS Library “Seminary Library”. You can request that items be transferred from one branch to the other. Call, email or drop by the Circulation desk and we will put it on hold for you and it will be delivered to your institution’s library within a day or 2. If you need a print journal article, the holding library will scan and email it to you. You will be contacted you via institutional email when it is ready for pickup. If you cannot wait, you can visit the library yourself and check out the item.

Supply Table

For your convenience there are basic supplies (paper cutter, three-hole punch, standard and heavy duty staplers, pencils, tape, scissors, etc.) located near the copiers/printers for patron use. Please do not remove supplies from the library so that all may be able to use them.

Book Sale

We hold an ongoing used book sale of discarded and donated books. Most items are 25 cents. The SCS Library holds a book sale each fall and spring semester.

LINC – Library Information & News to Community

LINC is an electronic library publication sent out by the SDCC Director of Library Services or SCS Library Director designed to communicate with the students, faculty and staff of SDCC and SCS regarding information about library and research services. LINC is published several times each year via e-mail. Your input is encouraged and appreciated.

Information Literacy

@ SDC

Working with the faculty, the College Librarians conduct sessions in the classroom or Cayot Room that help students develop information literacy skills, such as locating, selecting, evaluating & organizing resources. These sessions walk students through the research process, the search features of several databases & includes hands-on practice.

@ SoCalSem

Working with the faculty, the Seminary Librarian conducts sessions in the library or the classroom that help students develop information literacy skills, such as locating, selecting, evaluating & organizing resources. These sessions walk students through the research process, the search features of several databases & can include hands-on practice.

The Seminary Librarian provides in-class instruction to introduce students to library resources in the following degree programs:

The College at SCS

• RS-100 Critical Thinking & Writing

Graduate Bible & Theology (Masters Level)

• RS-501 Theological Research

Graduate Bible & Theology (Doctoral Level)

• RS-981/982/983 Applied Research & Mentoring I, II, & III

Graduate Behavioral Science (Masters Level)

• CO-505 Human Growth & Development
• CO-608 Research & Program Evaluations

Graduate Behavioral Science (Doctoral Level)

• PY-805/905 Dissertation Research and Methodology I & II

The SDCC & SCS Library is committed to meeting the needs of distance learning students by providing access to library resources and services

Articles and eBooks

• Article Databases

  To begin your research, search for articles from journals, magazines, or newspapers by using a library database or the library catalog. To access library resources from off-campus, you will need to be authenticated as a currently enrolled SDCC or SCS student or currently employed faculty or staff member. When you click on a link to a library resource, you will be asked to enter your SDCC or SCS username and password (same password you use for your institutional email or Empower web account).

• Specific Articles

  To find out if the library has the full text of a specific article, first determine the title of the periodical (magazine, journal, or newspaper) in which the article can be found. This is sometimes called the source of the article. Then search the library catalog by the periodical title to see if we have the periodical you need.

• eBooks

  The library has a growing collection of ebooks. To find ebooks, search the Library Catalog or an eBook database.

• Interlibrary Loan

  If the full text of the article you need is not available online, you can order the article through our Interlibrary Loan service.

Printed Books

When you find a book(s) in the library catalog that are located at either the “Seminary Library” or the “College Library,” you can request that it be mailed to you. The library will pay the postage going out and expects you to pay the postage coming back. To have books mailed to you, contact the SDCC Library or the SCS Library.

If you need only a section of a book we may be able to scan those sections and email them to you in PDF format.

We have a number or reciprocal agreements with local libraries that you may qualify for a free library card. If possible we may try to connect you with a library in your local area.

Research Help

For more help finding and searching our resources, take a look at one of our LibGuides.

Librarians are also available to support you through the research process. If you have questions about finding or using library materials, use our Ask a Librarian service to connect with someone who can help.

Circulation

You need your Faculty ID card to check out materials. Most Library materials are loaned for a 6-week period with one renewal allowed, VHS/DVDs can be checked out for a 3-week period with one renewal; Reference and other non-circulating materials are loaned for 1 week. Renewals can be made through your Library Account in the Library Catalog, or by contacting the College Library (619) 201-8680 or by email, or the Seminary Library (619) 201-8966 or by email. Faculty are not charged overdue fines.

The book drop is located near the library entrance.

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is the way the College and Seminary Libraries provide you with the books and articles that it does not own by borrowing a copy from other libraries. This service is available free for current students, faculty and staff of SCS and SDCC.

Book requests are usually received within 10 days. They are mailed to us via USPS, media rate. It is important that the borrowed item is returned by the due date written on the ILL band attached to the book’s cover. If you need the book past the due date, contact the SDCC Systems & Information Services Librarian about the possibility for renewal by calling (619) 201-8769 or by email. In rare cases, if we cannot find a library willing to loan the book for free, you may be asked to pay for the loan.

Article requests, usually photocopies, are normally received within 2-3 days. This is because they are typically sent to us electronically. You will not have to return a photocopied article. Because of the effort involved in locating and copying article requests, it is more common for libraries to charge for the request. Please fill in the “willing to pay” field in the ILL form. If they charge, libraries typically set a $5-20 fee for photocopies.

You will be contacted by email or telephone when your material arrives.

Transferring Items

The library catalog contains the holdings of both the SDCC Library “College Library” and the SCS Library “Seminary Library”. You can request that items be transferred from one branch to the other. Call, email or drop by the Circulation desk and we will put it on hold for you and it will be delivered to your institution’s library within a day or 2. If you need a print journal article, the holding library will scan and email it to you. You will be contacted you via institutional email when it is ready for pickup. If you cannot wait, you can visit the library yourself and check out the item.

Course Reserves

Faculty members can place books and other materials on reserve for students to read for a particular course. These materials are shelved behind the circulation desk and checked out for in-library use. Course reserve materials may be used outside of the library if checked out 1 hour before closing time (unless they are Reference books), and must be returned when the Library opens the next day.

To put items on reserve, you can bring your personal material to the library, pull the necessary library materials from the shelves or submit a bibliography. The Systems & Information Services Librarian will need a 2-day lead time to prepare them for the reserve shelf. Material should be removed from the reserve shelf at the end of each semester.

Copyright & Fair Use Resources

• Copyright Law Title 17 Section 107 Fair Use
• Know Your Copy Rights
• Fair Use Evaluator
• Using Copyrighted Media in Your Courses
• Copyright Clearance Center
• Copyright Renewal Database
• Creative Commons

Scheduling the Library for Class Use

The College Library welcomes faculty and their students into the library during class time to make use of its resources. Faculty are asked to communicate with the Systems Librarian when a class larger than 8 students will be making use of the Research or Study Areas of the library for a class period. This functions on a first come, first serve basis.

Cayot Room (SDCC) -- The Cayot Room lab was designed for student general use and library instruction only. The room is only to be used for research specific, planned presentations by Library Staff. All class use of this room should be scheduled through the Systems Librarian.

Test/Exam Proctoring

The College and Seminary Libraries do not offer proctoring services for tests or exams. However, a faculty member may send a student to the Library to take a minimally supervised test or exam. The library can distribute tests to students and collect completed tests for faculty. Please contact a librarian for assistance.

• The faculty member must provide written guidelines on test administration, such as time limit, no books/notes allowed, etc., as well as instructions on how, where, and to whom to send the completed test.
• Student must schedule the test with the library at a time that is convenient for the library staff.
• Library staff will check on the student periodically, but will not monitor him/her constantly.

Library Committee

The Library Committee, chaired by the Director of Library Services, is responsible for assisting in the implementation of library goals and objectives as represented in the annual revision of the Library Strategic Plan. Membership includes: SDCC librarians, faculty, and student; SCS Seminary Librarian and one member from the Southern California Seminary.

LINC – Library Information & News to Colleagues

LINC is an electronic library publication sent out by the SDCC Director of Library Services or SCS Library Director designed to communicate with the faculty and staff of SDCC and SCS regarding information about library and research services. LINC is published several times each year via e-mail. Your input is encouraged and appreciated.

Library Instruction for Students

The College Library’s Research Strategies Classes, held in the library’s Cayot Room or in the classroom, walk students through the research process, the search features of several databases and provides hands-on practice. College Librarians provide in-class instruction to introduce students to library resources.

To schedule library instruction for a class please contact the Systems Librarian.

The Seminary Librarian provides in-class instruction to introduce students to library resources in the following degree programs:

The College at SCS

• RS-100 Critical Thinking & Writing

Graduate Bible & Theology (Masters Level)

• RS-501 Theological Research

Graduate Bible & Theology (Doctoral Level)

• RS-981/982/983 Applied Research & Mentoring I, II, & III

Graduate Behavioral Science (Masters Level)

• CO-505 Human Growth & Development
• CO-608 Research & Program Evaluations

Graduate Behavioral Science (Doctoral Level)

• PY-805/905 Dissertation Research and Methodology I & II

To schedule library instruction for a class not on this list, please contact the Seminary Librarian at (619) 201-8966 or by email.

Library Instruction for Faculty

Faculty and adjunct faculty are encouraged to contact the Director of Library Services (for SDCC) or the Seminary Librarian (for SCS) for information about or instruction on using any of the various library resources and technology.

Test/Exam Proctoring

The College and Seminary Libraries do not offer proctoring services for tests or exams. However, a faculty member may send a student to the Library to take a minimally supervised test or exam. The library can distribute tests to students and collect completed tests for faculty. Please contact a librarian for assistance.

• The faculty member must provide written guidelines on test administration, such as time limit, no books/notes allowed, etc., as well as instructions on how, where, and to whom to send the completed test.
• Student must schedule the test with the library at a time that is convenient for the library staff.
• Library staff will check on the student periodically, but will not monitor him/her constantly.

Collection Development

Collection Development is the building of a library collection to reflect the interests and needs of the user population, including: setting selection policy, assessing user needs, studying collection use, selecting materials, maintaining the collection, weeding, etc. Faculty have an important role in the development and maintenance of the SDCC and SCS Library collections.

Suggest a Purchase

Faculty’s Role in Selection

SDCC: While the Director of Library Services has final word on additions to or deletions from the collection, faculty members share the responsibility for suggesting materials in their areas of expertise. The Library Staff routinely forwards professional selection tools, such as catalogs from university presses and publishers to faculty and strongly encourages faculty to make recommended suggestions for titles in any appropriate format. All titles recommended by faculty are reviewed and approved by the academic department chair. The chairperson submits requested titles to the Director of Library Services. New titles will be compared and evaluated with the existing core collection and the courses offered in relation to titles submitted by departmental chairpersons. Students are also able to suggest titles for the collection.

SCS: The Seminary Librarian has the final word on additions to or deletions from the collection, faculty members share the responsibility for suggesting materials in their areas of expertise. Library Staff routinely collects professional selection tools, such as catalogs from university presses and publishers for faculty use and strongly encourages faculty to make recommended suggestions for titles in any appropriate format. All titles recommended by faculty are submitted to the Seminary Librarian. New title requests will be compared and evaluated with the existing core collection and the courses offered in relation to titles submitted. Students are also able to suggest titles for the collection.

The following criteria will be considered when selecting material:

• Importance of the subject matter to the collection
• Support of the educational programs
• Timeliness or permanence of the material
• Authoritativeness & accuracy of the material
• Reputation and significance of the author/producer
• Inclusion of the title in recognized bibliographies
• Availability, price, language & format of the item
• Selection tools, including bibliographies and standard reviewing sources, such as, Choice, Book Review Digest, Book List, Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, university press catalogs, subject-specific journals, and publisher's catalogs

Faculty’s Role in Weeding

Weeding is an important task which keeps the collection up-to-date and relevant for student & faculty use. A well weeded collection will see higher use. Obsolescence, damage, normal wear and space limitations make the discarding of materials a continuing process. The selection criteria will be used as a guide for the de-selection of library materials. Additional factors, considered in discarding materials include:

• Poor physical condition
• Out of date information
• Unsupported formats
• Multiple copies of titles no longer in demand
• Old editions replaced by later revisions
• Lack of use

The faculty under the leadership of Departmental Chairs (SDCC) or Division Deans (SCS) are asked to routinely review the collection related to their field. Typically weeding takes place during the summer months when classes are not in session. Final responsibility for deciding which materials to discard rests with the Director of Library Services (SDCC) or the Seminary Librarian (SCS). He or she may delegate this authority to other members of the staff. Items discarded will be put out for sale or sent to a book reseller, except when a specific department or organization has requested books. Discarded reference books may be offered to other libraries through duplicate exchange.

The SDCC Library is currently only available to students, faculty, staff or alumni or SDCC, SCS or Faith Chapel.

Guest Library Card

The majority of the SDCC Library print collection is currently in storage and not accessible

Faculty from WSCUC or SCELC member institutions, pastors from churches located in Santee or El Cajon, and those eligible through the reciprocal borrowing programs (Atla, SCATLA, and ACL) are provided library circulation privileges at no cost but need to apply for a card. Persons who audit courses at SDCC or SCS will be given circulation privileges until the end of the term for the audited course.

Other groups that may apply for a guest library card are SDCC and SCS alumni, distance education students (with student ID), and local community users. Guest library cards will not be issued to anyone under 18 years of age. A librarian must review and authorize all applications.

To obtain a guest library card, fill out and sign the Library Card Application and bring it to the Library or mail it to:

San Diego Christian College Library
9400 Campo Rd.
Spring Valley, CA
91977

or

Southern California Seminary Library
2075 E. Madison Ave.
El Cajon, CA
92019

Be sure to include the $25 annual fee. Once your application has been received, please allow 1 week for your card to be mailed to you.

Circulation

The guest library card may only be used by the person to whom it was issued. Up to three (3) items may be checked out for a three (3) week period with one (1) renewal allowed. Books can be renewed in person, by email, by phone or by logging into your library account ON or BEFORE the due date. Items can be renewed by calling (619) 201-8680, by email or through your My Library account. If books are three weeks overdue, the circulation privileges will be cancelled without refund. The library reserves the right to recall any items before their due date. Guest library card holders agree to pay all replacement costs for lost/damaged library books within 3 weeks after due date. Guests must agree to give prompt notice of any change of address, phone number, or of card loss.

Computing and Research Databases

The College Library’s 8 computers and the Seminary Library’s 3 computers provide access to the internet and email. Please check-in at the Circulation desk and we will be happy to log you on as our guest and assist you with printing and copying.

The library subscribes to research databases through EBSCO, Proquest, Sage, Gale-Cengage and many more. Due to license agreements with vendors, as a guest you may only utilize these databases while in the library. For details about each database, see the Research Databases page.