Middlesex Community College

Library Services

Library Services and Policies

The Library provides various services to MCC students and community members. Please choose from the following menu to learn more about our services and policies:

Bibliographies

Faculty and staff may request bibliographies created to your exact specifications. To discuss creation of a bibliography contact the reference desk at either the Bedford or Lowell Library.

Chat Reference

The library staff now provide chat reference assistance using the AOL Instant messenger program from 8:00 A.M. to 7:45 P.M. Monday through Thursday and until 4:00 P.M. on Friday. You can ask us questions about library services, the collection and searching strategies. On the weekends or late at night general reference assistance is offered by Mass Answers. Librarians provide answers to general questions via email, telephone or chat.

Copiers

Photocopiers are available for student and staff use.(.10 cents per page)

E-books

Over 11,000 electronic books are available from on or off-campus. Many titles are searchable from within the catalog. Additional information is available.

Electronic Classroom

Electronic classrooms are available in the Bedford and Lowell Libraries. The classrooms can accommodate up to 30 students and include 12 networked student computers and 1 instructor workstation with projector and screen. Contact either the Bedford or Lowell Library to request the room.

Holds

The library catalog allows students, faculty and staff to place holds on items owned by Middlesex and all other Noble libraries. Simply use the request button on the item record screen and enter your library card number and your PIN. To obtain your pin, call the Bedford library (781-280-3708) or the Lowell library (978-656-3004) or email a reference librarian.

Interlibrary Loan

The library staff will assist you in locating and borrowing periodical articles and books not available in the Middlesex Community College Library. Please call the reference desk at either the Bedford or Lowell campus.

Internet Access

Access to the Internet and the World Wide Web is available on workstations at the Bedford and Lowell Libraries. Reference staff can provide assistance in locating information on the internet.

Library Orientation Classes

Library Information sessions, covering materials pertinent to your assignment, can be requested at the Bedford or Lowell Campus library. A librarian will confirm availability and discuss details. Reference Librarians are also available via telephone in Bedford at 781-280-3706 or Lowell at 978-656-3005 to book library sessions.

Library Student Assistant Program

Middlesex Community College offers vouchers for courses in exchange for work in the MCC Libraries at the Bedford and Lowell campuses. Vouchers may be used for to cover both tuition and fees for courses at Middlesex Community College. For more information contact the reference desk at the Bedford or Lowell Campus Libraries. Opportunities are limited and based on library demand. A description of the Library Student Assistant Program is available in the library.

Mass Answers

Mass Answers provides chat based reference service 24/7 for remote patrons when libraries are not open. It does not supply information about Middlesex policies or electronic resources.

Plagiarism Reporting Tool

The library has purchased access to a plagiarism reporting tool from Turnitin. Turnitin access is integrated through the Blackboard course shell. Training for this product is available from Middlesex Interactive.

Reference Assistance

Library staff is available to answer your questions and assist you with research topics Monday-Friday throughout the academic year. When the library is closed Mass Answers provides answers to reference questions in real time using chat software.

Remote Access to the Library Catalog

The MCC Library Catalog is available from faculty offices and Off-Campus. If you are having difficulties and need further assistance call Laura Horgan at (781) 280-3702.

Reserve Shelf

Materials, textbooks, articles, practice exams, may be placed on reserve by college faculty or staff to support classroom instruction. We encourage all faculty to consider placing copies of their text on reserve. Please allow us at least 48 hours to process materials.

View your patron record

Library patrons may view their library record from home, the library or campus office. It will list your checked out items, outstanding fines and current holds. You may renew items, place holds and cancel outstanding holds while logged into your record. You must obtain a (PIN) at the circulation desk at either campus in order to access this account.

Virtual Catalog

Library catalogs across the state of Massachusetts have joined together to form a Virtual Catalog. You can search for a specific title, subject or keyword. With a Massachusetts library card you may request the item be delivered to a local library. Additional information is available.

Borrowing Policies

Patrons are responsible for all items checked out with their library card. You can report and replace a lost library card to staff at either campus.

Faculty, and staff of Middlesex Community College are issued staff cards. Complete this form and bring to either library if you would like a card.

MCC students must have a library card to check out materials. Library cards are issued at the circulation desks at either campus library. Students who have overdue materials will be unable to take out additional items. Fines are charged for overdue materials and grades and transcripts will be held until materials are returned.

All other adults should use a library card from their local public library and may check out two books at a time from the MCC Libraries.

Loan Periods and Renewals

Faculty - Books (4 weeks) Periodicals (2 weeks), renewals accepted, maximum 20 items.

Middlesex Academy students (1 week) ; 1 item

Students - Books (3 weeks) Periodicals (2 weeks). Books can be renewed once, maximum 10 items.

Magazines--The Library subscribes to many periodical titles through our electronic databases. Additionally a collection of print materials are available in the library. Magazines circulate to both students and staff. Click here for a list of our periodical subscriptions.

Newspapers--The Library subscribes to many area newspapers. Paper editions of these papers are retained from 1 to 3 months. Back issues of major newspapers are available electronically. A complete list of newspapers owned by the library is available.

Videos--Video titles are searchable in the catalog by adding and video to your keyword search. Faculty needing materials for a specific time slot should call the library to assure their availability.

Gift Policy

The library will accept gifts of print and non-print materials appropriate to our collections. Gifts are encouraged, with the understanding that the library may dispose of or add them to the collection at its discretion. A copy of the gifts policy is available in the library.

Library Acceptable Use Policy

The equipment and services provided by the library, including, access to the Internet, are primarily intended for library-related research, not for games and recreation such as MUDDs and Chat Rooms. The use of these library resources is governed by all applicable college policies, as well as by all applicable federal, state and local laws. A complete copy of the Library Acceptable Use Policy is available in the library.

Requests from the catalog

If you need an item which is not currently on shelf, you can request it and it will be held for you when it is returned. Hold requests can be made through the catalog with a library card and pin. If you do not have a library card you may begin the process of acquiring one with this form.