Help for Students

STLCC Libraries are looking forward to serving students, staff, and faculty when our doors re-open for in-person access. As the College makes operational adjustments based on government direction to keep employees and students safe, so will STLCC Libraries this fall. We have developed phased plans to guide our operational responses to changing circumstances related to COVID-19.

Fall 2020 and spring 2021 library operations will start in Phase Three. Periodic adjustments to operating hours, services, and spaces should be expected, sometimes with little notice.

Refer to STLCC Libraries’ website for updates.

More About Spaces

The following applies to all areas of the library buildings.

• Closed stacks – items may only be retrieved from shelves by library staff.
• No food and drink consumption inside the building.
• Quiet, individual study only; (1) person per table and computer station. 
• Face masks must be worn over both nose and mouth at all times.
• Social distance (6’) must be maintained at all times.
• Limited building capacity and available seating.
• Use is restricted to STLCC staff and students.
• All are encouraged to use the library remotely and not to linger in person.

More About Services and Resources

• Library computers are available by appointment, for limited hours per day; drop-in use is not encouraged. Please schedule your own appointment using our form or call Circulation at your campus library. 
• Laptops are not available for circulation at the campus libraries. I.T. is managing laptop distribution to students – and associated returns; see STLCC Loaned Laptop Information.
• Request books, CDs, or DVDs for door-side pickup; mail delivery is available for students taking all courses virtually. 
• Return library materials and textbook rentals to the campus book drops.
• New for spring 2021: a limited number of hotspots, webcams, and headsets with microphones are available upon request for short-term loan periods only, with no renewals; in-person pick up at a campus library is required. Hotspots are available for extended loan periods from the I.T. department's request form.

Online Research Help & Instruction

Visit our Ask a Librarian page.

• Online via email and 24/7 chat and text.
• ½ hour or 1 hour research consultations by appointment via Book a Librarian.
• In-person appointments by special request and for extraordinary needs only.
• Library instruction services will be delivered online by faculty request. Faculty, please use the Library Instruction Request Form.

STLCC Libraries Phased COVID-19 Service Plans 

• Due to COVID-19, library hours are subject to sudden change or closure.
• Some services may not be available at the beginning of a new phase. 
• Interlibrary Loan Services are dependent on non-STLCC libraries, but the majority of items are available in Phases Three and Four. 
• Updates will be posted to: stlcc.edu/libraries.

Phase One 

• Campus Library Buildings (FP, FV, MC, WW) are closed. 
• Research Help is 24/6.5 online, which includes most weekend hours. 
• Circulation of STLCC items is by mail only.
• Computer Labs and Printers are closed. 
• Group Study Rooms are closed. 
• Course Reserves are not available (no checkouts through Phase Three).

Phase Two 

• Campus Library Buildings (FP, FV, MC, WW) are closed. 
• Research Help is 24/6.5 online, which includes most weekend hours. 
• Circulation of STLCC items is by door-side pickup and mail. 
• Computer Labs and Printers are closed.
• Group Study Rooms are closed. 
• Course Reserves: requests for a limited number of scanned pages per book allowed. 

Phase Three 

• Campus Library Buildings (FP, FV, MC, WW) are open with limited services and spaces.
• Research Help is 24/6.5 online, which includes most weekend hours. 
• Circulation of STLCC items is by door-side pickup, no contact desk service, and mail.
• Computer Labs and Printers are by appointment only. 
• Group Study Rooms are closed, only individual study is allowed. 
• Course Reserves: requests for a limited number of scanned pages allowed.

Phase Four 

• Campus Library Buildings (FP, FV, MC, WW) are open (limits TBA).
• Research Help is 24/6.5 online and in-person (may be limited). 
• Circulation of STLCC items is by door-side pickup, desk service, and mail. 
• Computer Labs and Printers are open (limits TBA).
• Group Study Rooms are open (limits TBA). 
• Course Reserves: scans and checkouts (limits TBA).

How can I get internet access on the laptop I borrowed from STLCC? I’m having trouble connecting, can you help? 

Check to be sure you followed the STLCC Loaned Laptop Login Instructions. For additional help, check the Campus Technolgy FAQs or contact the IT Help Desk.

I don't have internet or wifi at home. What can I do?

Resources for Students page in our COVID-19 guide lists companies providing temporary free internet access for the next few months. Important Reminder: If you use any of these internet providers, always check the terms of service to see if you will need to cancel the service before it changes to a paid subscription. 

How do I enter my college ID number plus the college code?

The college ID is a 9-character number that begins with an A. The college code is ST. There is no space between the number and code. Example: A12345678ST.

How do I log in to the library databases and e-books? 

There are several ways. If you are using an STLCC-issued computer you might have direct access to the databases without another login. The same if you are logged in to Blackboard when you open a database link. If you are not logged in to the college network or Blackboard, you will need to log in using either your Blackboard information or your name and your college ID number and ST. See Connecting from Off Campus for details. A few resources, such as Safari (O'Reilly) e-books and New York Times Digital Subscription, require you to create an account using your college email. Some databases also allow you to create a personal account to save information or use advanced features. 

I'm in Search It! and the articles (or e-books) won't open. How do I get the articles?

First, check for a yellow bar at the top of your search results: "Hello, Guest. Login for full access." If you see this, you must log in to see the full text of articles. Keep in mind that not all articles listed are available. In the menu on the left, find Limit To  and check the box next to "Online Full Text Only." 

Guide to research and credible information sources on the coronavirus and COVID-19.