by Patsy Joyner

Paul D. Camp Community College libraries provide a variety of services for residents in Franklin, Isle of Wight and Southampton counties, and Suffolk.

They include a collection of more than 70,000 print, electronic and media resources; a web page (www.pdc.edu/library) that provides access to the library catalog and other library resources; frequently asked questions to help use resources on the web page; staff assistance; access to the Internet; reference collections that provide extensive resources; and periodical collections, including journals, magazines and newspapers.

While some online resources can be accessed only by PDCCC students, faculty and staff, a wealth of resources can be accessed on campus by all patrons. Community patrons can get a library card, check out materials, make copies for a fee, use library resources and facilities, and use a library computer by supplying requested information and presenting a valid pictured identification.

A Code of Conduct Agreement must be read and signed by each patron to use the library. It includes the following guidelines:

* A picture ID must be photocopied for community patrons to utilize the computers

* Children under 14 must be supervised by a parent or guardian

* PDCCC students have priority over community patrons

* Research and course-related activities take precedence over non-course-related activities

* Data files may be printed or downloaded to floppy disks or jump drives

* Downloading to the hard drive is not permitted

* Ten cents per page will be charged for printing materials that are not for PDCCC courses

* Patrons must sign in to use the computers

* Computer use will be limited to 30 minutes when someone is waiting to use the equipment, and it is not being used by a PDCCC student for coursework

* Playing games is not allowed because of the limited number of workstations

Extensive collections have been developed to support courses taught at the college. Since budgets are at a deficit, the libraries focus on meeting the academic needs of patrons and leave the recreational materials to be provided by the public libraries.

However, the libraries have some fiction titles for adults, non-fictional titles for children and extensive reference and periodical collections, including journals, magazines, and newspapers. The libraries also have media resources, which can be used on campus.

The Library Web Page provides access to additional resources, such as “The Study Guide Zone,” a resource that provides samples of professional and standardized exams. Two other features of this website are College Tips and Study Tips.

Another library resource available to the public is the VCCS Web Research Guide. This resource provides some of the best Web resources for a variety of subjects or disciplines. Librarians within the Virginia Community College System have evaluated and recommended these websites for research.

Only the Web resources are accessible to the public. Databases and electronic books listed are available to VCCS students and personnel only, because of license agreements.

Library hours for the Franklin Campus are Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For library questions or assistance, contact Linza Weaver, director of Learning Resources, at 569-6735 or lweaver@pc.vccs.edu.

DR. PATSY JOYNER is the vice president for institutional advancement at Paul D. Camp Community College. Her e-mail address is pjoyner@pc.vccs.edu.