Library Services

Distance Learners | Reference & Information | Reserves | Interlibrary Loan | Library Instruction | Library Computer Lab | Computer Classroom | Book Review, Displays & Special Programs

Circulation Policies:
Borrowing | Loan Period & Fines | ID Cards | Friends of the Catonsville Library

Discover Your Library: A Handbook for Library Users

Distance Learners

The library provides remote access to CCBC and other library catalogs and a variety of periodicals, reference, and research aids electronically. See the Distance Learning Services page for instructions on accessing these resources remotely as well as forms for requesting reference service and delivery of print resources.

The Hunt Valley and Owings Mills Beltway Campuses have library resource rooms which serve as pickup points for resources and provide computers with access to all library electronic resources. Questions about delivery of services or resources to distance learners should be addressed to Cheryl Gordon, 410-455-4581. Library instruction is available upon request at extension centers. Contact Maureen McLaughlin, 410-455-4168.

Reference and Information

Call the Reference Desk, 410-455-4287, for quick answers to questions that arise in the course of your work. Email a reference question, but allow at least 1 business day for a response.

Reserves : Print and Media

The library maintains a reserve collection of materials for students to use in the library, including a small collection of current textbooks that are available for students to use in-library only. Faculty may place print materials on reserve at the Circulation Desk. Contact Dena Ritter, 410-455-4219 for information about this service or to donate textbooks to the library. Telecourse videocassettes, DVDs, and other media resources that faculty would like their students to use are kept on reserve at the Media Services Desk. Call Cheryl Gordon, 410-455-4581 about media reserves.

Please note that there are a limited number of telecourse videocassettes available for circulation which are kept with the reserve materials at the Circulation Desk. Locate course reserves by instructor.

Interlibrary Loan / Document Delivery

Library staff will borrow and obtain copies of magazine or journal articles not owned by our library. To locate these materials, the interlibrary loan staff make use of a sophisticated computer network linking hundreds of libraries and information sources worldwide. These requests can be submitted electronically via the " Interlibrary Loan Request" link in the library catalog. For assistance, call Cheryl Gordon, 410-455-4261.

Library Instruction

Librarians teach classes on a range of research skills. Classes taught in the general education program are designed to complement each other across the program. Other classes will be planned to meet specific course objectives. Faculty members are encouraged to request instructional sessions. For planning and consultation, contact Gretchen Wright, 410-455-6971. To schedule a class or tour, call Maureen McLaughlin, 410-455-4168. Requests must be made at least one week in advance and sessions are scheduled on a "first-come-first-served" basis.

Library Microcomputer Lab

The Library Microcomputer Lab is located on the Main floor of the library. Students, faculty and staff can use the lab on a "first-come-first-served" basis. Electronic resources such as full-text magazine, journal and newspapers indexes are available at all the stations. Word Processing and other document programs are available on most stations. Faculty who wish to load class-related programs or resources for out of classroom use may contact Dan Adams, 410-455-4261.

Computer Classroom

A classroom equipped with 24 computers and projector is available on the third floor of the library and may be scheduled. Bookings will be accepted up to one week in advance. Call Dan Adams, 410-455-4261 for more information on scheduling. The classroom will be used as an open lab for students during some afternoon hours. Faculty who wish to load class-related programs or resources for their students to use may contact Dan Adams, 410-455-4261.

Book Reviews, Displays, and Special Programs

At various times during the year, faculty volunteer to present book reviews for faculty staff and students to attend. These "book talks" are usually informal in nature, but very well attended. If you are interested in doing a book review or if you have an idea or materials for display, contact Cynthia Roberts, 410-455-4577.