Mission and Purpose
The mission of the Black Hawk College Library is to provide quality services and collections for our students, faculty and college community that support academic success, advance information literacy, and promote lifelong learning.
The Black Hawk College Library will:
- Offer an accessible and organized collection of resources in a variety of formats that supports the instructional programs offered by the college.
- Provide a variety of services that are user-centered and promote an appreciation of diversity.
- Educate and inform students, faculty and the college community regarding access to information to foster information literacy and promote lifelong learning.
- Provide a dedicated, professional, service-oriented staff.
- Collaborate with faculty and others to develop innovative services and programs.
- Cooperate with other libraries and consortia in sharing resources to provide optimal access to resources.
- Provide a facility that is accessible, comfortable and learning-centered.
Borrowing Privileges
A BHC student ID or a library card, and a library account in good-standing, are required to borrow materials from the library. Patrons can borrow from the library’s main collection, Course Reserves, and can utilize interlibrary loan services.
Library accounts
- Student accounts are valid for one academic year.
- Accounts will be renewed annually if the student is enrolled in classes and the account is in good standing.
- The cost is free.
- Patrons are fully responsible for all library materials checked out on their account, including replacement cost of lost materials.
- Failure to pay any library fines, fees or charges will result in the loss of library privileges and a possible hold on the student’s account.
- Patrons must notify the Bursar’s office of any changes in contact information.
- Contact the library if you need help getting a replacement library card.
- Policies and fees are subject to change.
Community borrowers
The BHC Library will issue a restricted-use library card to residents of the Black Hawk College District #503 who are at least 18 years of age and live in an area that is not taxed for public library use. These patrons can borrow materials from the library’s local collection. Privileges do not include borrowing through the I-Share consortium, Reserves, interlibrary loan services or off-campus access to research databases.
To obtain a community borrower library card, bring a valid Illinois driver’s license or state ID with your current address and complete a library card application at the Library Check Out desk.
OneSearch Online Catalog and I-Share Access
You must have a myBlackHawk username and password to sign into the online catalog. You can renew checked out items, and check the status of requested material on your account page.
- To login to your account, go to the BHC Library homepage.
- Scroll down and Select the “Searching” icon to view the library catalog.
- Click on Sign in in the upper right-hand corner of the search page.
- On the pop-up, Click on Black Hawk College Users.
- Enter your myBlackHawk username and password on the login pop-up.
- Click on your name in the upper right-hand corner of the search page
- Choose Loans, Requests, or other options from the drop-down menu.
Loan periods
- Books = 4 weeks
- DVDs = 7 days
- Reserve items = 2 hours, 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days or 7 days
- Renewals are permitted if not requested by another patron.
- Reference materials may be available for a 24 or 48-hour loan with permission from a librarian.
- Periodicals, except for the most recent issue and Allied Heath, are available for seven (7) days.
Returning items
Materials can be returned at the Check Out Desk or the book drop located by the entrance to Building 1 at the Quad-Cities Campus. Library books may be returned at any library in the I-Share consortium. Reserve items, DVDs, and loanable technology should be returned at the Check Out Desk.
Overdue and lost materials
It is the patron’s responsibility to return library materials on time. Fines vary according to material type and lending library. If materials are overdue, damaged or lost, the following fines and fees will be charged:
- Reserves = $1 per day
- Interlibrary loans = $1 per day
- DVDs = $1 per day
- Maximum overdue fine = $10 per item for BHC, $20 for Worldcat interlibrary loans
- Lost items = replacement cost; if out of print: $45
- Damage = assessed according to extent of damage
- Lost library card = $2 per replacement card
Fines and bills for lost or unreturned items will be entered on the student financial record at the BHC Bursar’s Office. A library account with delinquent fines or bills cannot be used to borrow materials from BHC or other libraries in the I-Share system. Fines and fees for items borrowed from other I-Share libraries will be billed directly to the patron by the lending library. The patron is responsible for paying fines and fees directly to the lending library.
Digitization Requests
Requests for digital copies of the library’s print books can be made via the catalog. Patrons are limited to 3 active digitization requests at a time. Requests will be limited to a maximum of 1 chapter or article per book. Each request will be evaluated by library staff to ensure compliance with Copyright and Fair Use.
Facilities and Services
Computer Use Policy
The first priority of the BHC Library computers is to support student academic activities. BHC guests may use a computer for up to 2 hours per day when workstations are available. Guests must sign-in at the circulation desk. During busy times, guests may be asked by library staff to give up computers in order to accommodate students in need of a computer. Students having difficulty finding a computer for academic activities should ask library staff for help finding a computer. Anyone using the BHC Library computers must do so in compliance with the Computer Security and Responsible Use Policy found in the Black Hawk College Board Policy Manual Section 8.9.
Group Study Rooms
There are four group study rooms available in the Quad-Cities Campus Library. The following policies apply to the group study rooms:
- Small group study rooms (maximum occupancy of four) are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Large group study room (maximum occupancy 12) is available for reservations to groups of students, faculty or staff. When no reservations are present, the room is available on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Preference will be given to student groups of two or more.
- Time limit is two hours per day.
- No food or drink allowed.
- Rooms must be left in a clean and orderly condition.
Food and Drink
Covered drinks are allowed but in the event materials or equipment are damaged, library users will be financially responsible for repairs and/or replacements. There is no food allowed in the study rooms or near the computers. Dry snacks are permitted. The library reserves the right to request students return food to their bags or remove it from the premises.
Printing and Copying
Black Hawk College students may print for free in the Library in accordance with the following policies:
- Printing must be for academic purposes.
- Printing must comply with copyright regulations.
- Only release or cancel print jobs that belong to you.
- PowerPoint slides must be printed at a minimum of 3 slides per page.
- Printing is limited to 15 pages per job.
Non-academic printing and printing by community guests will be charged $0.05 per side.
The Library reserves the right to cancel print jobs or revoke privileges to those found to be in violation or abuse of these policies.
Faxing
Faxing services are available to BHC faculty, staff, and students. The Library’s fax machine may be used to fax up to 5 pages per day to lines within the United States.