Were you using the library’s collection of textbooks on reserve? 

While Columbia College’s campus is closed, including the library, you may be wondering how you are going to access those textbooks you need to complete your assignments for your (newly) online courses.

The library can help you in several ways:

• Email or chat with a librarian to find out if chapters of the book can be scanned by library staff. Unfortunately, not all textbooks are available for this service, but some of the most heavily used textbooks are.
• Check to see if the textbook is available as an ebook through the library. Learn how to search for ebooks on the library website with this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q90oLeJc_Vc
• If the above options are not available, we may be able to acquire an electronic copy of the book (ebook) which you will be able to use from the browser of your personal computer. Email or chat with a librarian so they can check on the availability of an electronic copy of the book.
• Several eTextbook publishers are making it possible for you to access up to 7 textbooks for free for the Spring Semester. Follow the VitalSource and RedShelf instructions posted here: http://libguides.colum.edu/c.php?g=1013293&p=7339973

Additionally, the library has put together a research guide for students transitioning to online learning: Learning Online: Library Resources for Students. In addition to information about ebooks and textbooks, the guide also provides information on getting assistance from a librarian, research support options, and finding scholarly articles and streaming video.

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