Get faculty-only services
Books and More
JTCC Library’s book collection contains nearly 50,000 volumes, all of which can be searched using LINC, the online Library Catalog. LINC indexes the books, DVDs, e-books and audiobooks on both campuses (and also in all VCCS libraries, not just John Tyler.)
Books and DVDs can be requested from either campus through the catalog. Transferring titles between campuses generally takes 1-2 business days. Request titles online anytime, or ask any library staffer for assistance.
More than books
The catalog offers access to more than books! LINC includes links to e-books and popular audiobooks, as well as the College’s collection of videos and DVDs.
E-books: Access to e-books is available on and off campus.
- Safari and PsychNet: Off campus, use your myTyler login.
- eBooks from EBSCO: EBSCO now provides eBooks, accessible off-campus with your myTyler login and a free EBSCO account. Help and FAQs available. Adobe Digital Editions (free download) is needed to checkout and download books.
Audiobooks are available online through our subscription with Overdrive. Books can be instantly downloaded to your computer, to a mobile device (iPod!) or burned to a CD. Use your myTyler login to check out titles: titles cannot be downloaded to JTCC computers.
DVDs and videos run the gamut from history to art, from classics to popular movies. All of these materials are indexed in the library catalog. Include the word “videorecording” in your catalog search.
Book Circulation
Books are loaned for a 4-week period; most are renewable. Books may be checked out for the semester upon request. Faculty are not charged overdue fines but are urged to return materials on time.
Reserves
Place books, DVDs, or articles on reserve for student use either in the library or for brief checkout periods. Contact staff for help.
Material Selection and Ordering
Faculty members are encouraged to recommend books, magazines and videos for purchase. All requests are considered.
Faculty members will be notified when an ordered item has been received, cataloged, and is ready for circulation.
RALC: Borrowing Privileges at Area Libraries
John Tyler has a cooperative agreement with local colleges and universities through RALC (Richmond Academic Library Consortium.) This enables us to borrow DVDs and videorecordings from local academic libraries for instructional use. This service operates like Interlibrary Loan, though it may be faster.
Browse the RALC Union Catalog to search for items. This link opens the VCU library catalog, but there is a radio button for the RALC Union Catalog. Use the word “videorecording” to search DVDs and videos.
After locating items, contact staff at either campus library to make your request.
The faculty also has in-person borrowing privileges at the RALC libraries listed below. Some may require the borrower to obtain a library card. The circulation policy of the lending library governs the details of the transaction.
Library of Virginia
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Randolph-Macon College
Richard Bland College
Union Theological Seminary
University of Richmond
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia State University
Virginia Union University
Library Instruction
The library offers instruction across the disciplines. We customize library instruction. Sessions can focus on one aspect of research or give an overview. Providing a copy of a specific assignment is helpful.
Topics include:
- General library overview (find a book, get a library card)
- Opposing Viewpoints research database
- Introduction to Microsoft Word
- Evaluation of internet sources
- How to find a scholarly journal article
- Preparing citations
The Midlothian campus library has a 34 seat instructional space with a projector and computers.
Due to the library renovation, the Chester library does not currently offer a dedicated instructional space. However, the Chester staff can make arrangements for in-classroom instruction. Please contact the library two weeks in advance; computer classroom setting may depend on availability.
To book a session:
- Midlothian Library: contact the iDesk at 804-594-1519.
- Chester Library: contact Ha Hoang at 804-706-5198 or hhoang@jtcc.edu.
Please have the following information when you submit your request:
- Month/day
- Time and duration of class
- Class Title (e.g. English 111)
- Number of students
- Special requirements, if any
Don’t have time for a library visit? Library staff can come to you. Ask about availability when booking your instructional session.
Connect for Success: Information Literacy Tutorial for Students
Have students struggling with information skills? VCCS Connect for Success is modeled after Go for the Gold, a set of instructional modules designed by reference staff at James Madison University to teach students basic information-seeking skills.
The program shows students how to find and evaluate information in the Library, in databases, or on the Internet. VCCS Connect for Success
Library 101
Library 101 is Blackboard module designed to introduce students to research at JTCC’s library. Library 101 includes online tutorials on research basics. Help your distance and face-to-face students by including this module in your Blackboard instruction.
Contact Helen McKann (804-594-1523) or Suzanne Sherry (804-594-1520) for more information.
Internet Course Instruction
Staff can prepare a document for your use on Blackboard outlining off-campus use of library resources, using specific examples customized to your class. Faculty may also link directly from their Blackboard site to articles in the databases.
Interlibrary loan
Need an article not in the databases? Found the perfect book….at another library? John Tyler Library can borrow items from libraries across the country through Interlibrary Loan. This service is available for John Tyler students, faculty and staff.
Library staff place the request; please provide the library with as much information (title, author, date, ISBN, etc.) as possible. Staff can also help you locate titles and authors.
Interlibrary Loan materials are shipped to JTCC; borrowers pick items up and return them to one of the campus libraries. Plan ahead when making a request; materials can take up to two weeks to arrive.
Guidelines:
- Identify the materials. Inaccuracies may result in a failed request.
- No more than five requests at a time. As items are returned, new requests may be placed.
- Interlibrary loan cannot be used to obtain textbooks or materials to be put on reserve by faculty.
- Allow time. Though materials generally arrive in seven to ten days, items can take up to four weeks.
- Requests are automatically delivered to the campus where the request was made.
- Return dates are not flexible. Renewals are governed by the lending library, and lending libraries may recall items at any time.
- Treat materials with care. Interlibrary loan depends on the continuing goodwill of libraries around the nation working together.
- The costs of lost or damaged interlibrary loan materials will be charged to the patron.
- Request individual articles. Complete issues of journals and magazines are not loaned.
- Though some specialty materials (like reference books, dissertations and rare books) are rarely loaned, the request may still be made.
Download the Interlibrary Loan Form in Word format.
Contact:
- Chester: Reference Desk in person, or call 804-706-5198
- Midlothian: Library iDesk in person, or call 804-594-1519
Off Campus Access: 24/7
All of the databases are available to the college community online, 24 hours a day.
To access databases off campus, enter your myTyler login (there will be a prompt when you click on the individual database.) This validates you as a JTCC employee and will enable you to use the resources.
