Search for Your Textbooks Online!

Yes, that's right! Many of the textbooks for OCC courses have been made available freely online.  (If you checked out your textbook from the library, this post is for you!)  Thanks to a number of companies have given access to online textbooks due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Follow these steps to see if your textbook is available online:

1. Check the library catalog or free textbook list. Use the "Available Online" filter to see online books in the library search. 
2. If your textbook is NOT available online here, look for the title of the book in the Vital Source and RedShelf lists. 
3. If your textbook is listed on the Vital Source list. You will need to use your OCC email to sign up for an account. From there, search the site for the title of the textbooks.
4. If your textbook is listed on the Red Shelf list. Search for the title of the textbook in RedShelf for free access.

For more thorough directions, visit the Getting Started guide. 

Research Appointments Now Available!

Do you need some dedicated time and help finding articles, books, or other resources?  

The OCC librarians are now offering research appointments via Zoom video conferencing.  Appointments are either 15 or 45 minute slots and are offered throughout the day on weekdays.  

Find available times on our online scheduler. 

Upcoming Online Library Workshops

There are still a handful of library workshops being offered this semester.  Now you can attend in the comfort of your own home through Zoom!

Upcoming dates:

• Tuesday, Apr. 7, 5:00-6:00pm 
• Wednesday, Apr. 8, 3:00-4:00pm 
• Saturday, Apr. 11, 11:00am-12:00pm 
• Tuesday, Apr. 14, 5:00-6:00pm 
• Thursday, Apr. 23, 3:00-4:00pm 
• Tuesday, Apr. 28, 11:00am-12:00pm 
• Monday, May 4, 6:00-7:00pm

To attend a workshop, please select the date/time you would like to attend and sign up at least 1 hour before the workshop. The day of the workshop, you will receive a reminder email including a link to the Zoom session. If you would like to receive extra credit, please include your instructor's name in the sign up form. We will notify your instructor that you attended the workshop.

Need Help? Chat with a Librarian

While the library remains closed, the OCC Librarians are here to help you! 

A librarian is available through chat (see the icon in the lower right hand corner of the library webpage).  We have the capability to screen share and video conference through Zoom with you, if you have a more in depth question.  It can be a simple question or a robust research question to help you find ebooks and electronic resources to use in your upcoming papers or projects. 

Chat with a Librarian Hours: 

Monday - Thursday:  8am - 9pm
Friday: 8am - 3pm
Saturday: 10am - 3pm

Access to Free Textbooks Online

Due to the COVID-19 virus, many publishers are allowing students to download textbooks for free. Check these sites out to see if your textbook is free online!

• Check the library catalog or free textbook list to see if your textbook is available online. Use the "Available Online" filter to see online books in the library search. 
• You can also check and see if your book is available through VitalSource Helps program. This site allows you to download some textbooks free of charge, due to COVID-19 difficulties. You need to use your OCC email to sign up and not all texts are available. Directions are here. 
• You can also check RedShelf for free access to some textbooks.

OCC Library is CLOSED until further notice

In abundance of caution, OCC has suspended classes and closed the campus to students and the general public beginning March 16.

The Library and its services are also closed until further notice.

Library Books

If you have library books due, please do not come to campus to return them. The library will forgive all fines accrued on books due this week. Please ignore any overdue notices you receive, as our system sends those out automatically.  When the campus reopens, please return your books and we will adjust your library account accordingly.

Textbooks

Check the library catalog or free textbook list to see if your textbook is available online. Use the "Available Online" filter to see online books in the library search. You can also check and see if your book is available through VitalSource Helps program. This site allows you to download some textbooks free of charge, due to COVID-19 difficulties. You need to use your OCC email to sign up and not all texts are available. Directions are here.

Other Info

Workshops for March 17, 19, and 30th have been cancelled. ​

Beginning March 30th, you may ask the librarians questions by chat from the Library home page Monday-Thursday 8-9, Friday from 8-3, and Saturday 10 -3. 

If the situation changes, we will update this blog and put a notice on the website. Thanks!

Getting Started with Using the Library (During COVID-19)

Have your classes gone online? Are you unsure how to get started searching for resources in the library? 

Then this Getting Started guide is for you.  

Students

View videos on how to search for books, articles, videos, and market research.  There are also recommendations for databases in which to search, and citing in MLA style. 

Faculty

Are you interested in having a library lecture for your classes, but you've moved your classes online?  There are options for you.  We offer online lectures, librarians being embedded in Canvas courses, or you can simply introduce this guide to your students along with how to access the chat with a librarian feature.  See the guide for more information.