Question not answered? Consult our Services and Resources fact sheet or contact us.

FAQs (Frequently Answered Questions) about the Library

How long can books be checked out? 

• Click here to see how long books, videos, and other materials may circulate.
   

How do I get a Library card? 

• If you are a Palomar College student or employee, you do not need a library card to check out materials.  You can check out materials with a government issued photo ID and your eService number.
  
  Students from CSU San Marcos or Mira Costa College may also check out materials with a valid student identification from either of these schools. See Library Services for details.
  
  All other persons who are 18 years old or older may register with the Library as a "Community Patron" to borrow materials. A valid picture ID and proof of current mailing address is required
  
  Please contact the Library Circulation Desk for further information at (760) 744-1150 x2614.

Are there computers for students to use in the Library? 

• Internet-accessible computers are available on the 2nd floor of the Library, and may be used for searching the Web. There are no other programs on these computers, such as Word or Excel, so you will not be able to type your papers.
  
  Computers in the Academic Technology Lab on the 1st floor of the Library building have word processing and other programs on them for you to type a paper or do other computer tasks. Other computer labs on campus also provide access. Contact them for details.

Patrons with their own computers may make a wireless Internet connection within the Library building.

What are "Stacks?" 

• "Stacks" refers to the area in the 3rd Floor of the Library where books that can be checked out are located. For a description of other locations or materials in the Library, take our Virtual Library Tour.

Help! I have to write a research paper. 

• Palomar College Library has many resources and services to help you write your term papers and reports. Visit or call the Library Reference Desk any time the Library is open or email us with a specific question for assistance from one of our Reference Librarians.
  
  You may also find valuable assistance on your own from one of the Library's many online resources:
  
  1. Library Research Guides (including ideas for research topics)are available at http://library.palomar.edu/refguides.htm
  
  2. To find books in the Library, search the online catalog. Go to the Library home page and click the "Catalog" button. NOTE: you will need to actually come into the Library to pick up the book(s) once you identify them.
  
  3. To find journals, magazines, or newspapers articles, search one of several online databases that the Palomar College Library subscribes to. To access, go to the Library home page, and click the "Databases" button.
  
  NOTE: You may use all the databases from any computer on campus. To search from home you will need a password and must be a currently registered Palomar College student. To obtain a password, please see the instructions for Off-campus Access to Electronic Resources
  
  4. To find other web documents, go to the Library's Internet Subject Index.
   

Is there a copy of my textbook in the Library? 

• The Library does not keep copies of all the textbooks - we generally purchase other books with supplement the textbooks assigned in class. This is because (1) they go out of date or change editions so frequently that it is not cost-effective to purchase them (the Library does NOT get free copies of textbooks - we have to purchase them just like you); and (2) we do not have the space to shelve all the books.
  
  However, in some cases, there may be a copy of your textbook in the Library general collection (or at least an older edition that you could use). Also, some instructors put their own extra copies of textbooks on reserve in the Library for you to use. Click here for more information about Course Reserves.
  
  To see if a textbook is in the Library, search the online library catalog. You can look the book up by author name or title, or click the "Reserve Desk" button at the top of the catalog search screen and look it up by your instructor name, course number, or course name.
   

Can I access InfoTrac or EBSCOhost from off campus? 

• You must use a password to access any of the Library's online databases from off-campus, and you must be a currently registered Palomar College student, faculty, or staff member to get passwords. For details on obtaining off-campus access, see Off Campus Access to Electronic Resources
  
  NOTE: Passwords typically expire at the end of the academic year. Check the Library Home Page for expiration notices.
   

Can non-students check out books from the Library? 

• Yes. Click here for details.

Print and copy cards 

• Payment for photocopies and computer printouts is in cash only. See Printing and Photocopying for information on costs and availability of printers and copiers.
   

Course Reserves 

• San Marcos campus Library:

Reserve materials are generally located on the second floor of the library, along the back wall under the blue "Reserves" sign. Materials are shelved by instructor last name, or in the case of a few programs, such as Dental Assisting, under the program name. Please note there are some exceptions, including reserve videos are on the first floor in the LRC; some reserve materials are kept at the Circulation Desk (ask there for assistance). Materials on Nursing Reserve are located at the very end of the reserve area on the 2nd floor.

To find your Course Reserves, go to the library catalog and click the blue "Reserve Desk" button at the top of the page. You can search for reserve materials by instructor, course number, or course name. For more information about textbooks on reserve, click here.
 

When is the Library open? 

• Click here for Library hours for the San Marcos Campus and the Escondido Campus Center.

Can I access the catalogs of other libraries here? 

• Yes. Many libraries have online catalogs which can be accessed via the Internet. For links to San Diego area, national, and foreign libraries see, http://www.palomar.edu/library/liblink.htm
   

How do I print from computers in the Library? 

• Printing is available from computers in the Library Reference area on the 2nd Floor at San Marcos, or in the Escondido Center Library. Charges are 10 cents per page for black & white printouts, and payment is with cash only. Color printouts are also available at Escondido upon request at 50 cents per page.
   

Are there rooms available for group study?

• Group study rooms are located on the 3rd floor of the Library. Study rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. See a staff member at the Circulation Desk on the 2nd floor for access to a locked study room.
   

Does the Library have company annual reports? 

• Yes. Selected business annual reports from national and San Diego-area companies are available on the 2nd Floor of the main Library. They are library-use only; ask at the Reference Desk for assistance.
   

Where can I photocopy in the Library? 

• Photocopiers are located near the main Circulation Desk on the 2nd floor. Copies are 10 cents per page. All copiers accept coins only. A copier that accepts print/copy cards for payment is located on the 1st Floor in the Academic Technology Lab. See Vendacard (print and copy cards) for details on obtaining a card.
  
  Microfilm copiers are attached to the microfilm readers in the Reference area, and only accept dimes. Price for printing is 10 cents per page.
   

Does the Library accept donations? 

• Yes. The Library welcomes and accepts donations of books, periodicals, and other items that have current or future application to the learning and research needs of our students and faculty. We also reserve the right to not add donated items to the collection and dispose of such items as appropriate.
  
  Donations may be brought to the Library Donations Station (located just inside the loading dock entrance to the Library) any time during regular business hours. However, we recommend that you contact our Acquisitions Librarian, Judy Cater by email or at (760) 744-1150 x2618 to discuss the donation beforehand

Can I check out periodicals? 

• Periodicals (magazines, journals, newspapers) do not circulate. You may, however, copy any article you need.

Can I return books when the library is closed?

• Yes, there are book return boxes outside of both the San Marcos and Escondido libraries. Click here for locations.
   

Who was Ernest J. Allen and why is the Escondido Educational Center Library is named after him.?

• Ernest J. Allen was a local dairy man known for his generosity. Upon his death in 1996, his estate provided the funding for the establishment of Palomar College's first branch library in the Escondido Educational Center.

As a student at Palomar, is there anything I can do to improve the Library collection? 

• Yes, we welcome all suggestions for titles that would improve our collection. Please submit requests to the Library Reference Desk.
   

Can I borrow videos from the Library?

• Yes, most videos in the Library may be checked out. The circulation periods vary. See Library Circulation Policies for details.

Where do I pay my Library fines? 

• You may pay your Palomar College Library fines at either the 2nd Floor Main Circulation Desk at the San Marcos Campus or Escondido Center Library public service desk. You may pay with cash or check. The Library does not accept credit cards.

Can I borrow books from CSUSM or Mira College College Libraries?

• Yes - if you are a registered Palomar College student or faculty member, you may borrow books from either CSUSM or Mira Costa College libraries. See Borrowing Privileges for details.

Need more information? Check our Services and Resources fact sheet.