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Find Books: More about Finding Books in the Library

Use the library catalog and eBook collections to find books for research and pleasure.

Where's the Book? How Do I Get It?

If the location is Atlantic Cape Community College, the book lives in Spangler Library, on the Mays Landing campus.

If the location is Cape May Campus, the book lives in the library on the CM campus.

If the location is Worthington Center, the book lives in the library on the Atlantic City campus.

All other locations refer to the Atlantic County public and school libraries.

When looking at the record for a book in the library catalog, the name of the library that owns the book will be found in a table at the bottom of the record, in the first column.

To find where in the library you should look for the book, check the Status column first. This will tell you in which section of the library the book is shelved; if the book is checked out to someone else, you will also see that information.

Next, look at the Call Number column. Here, you'll find the book's address on the shelf.

To find out where in the library to look for a book, check the table at the bottom of the record. Look in the last column, labeled 'status.'

The call number of a book tells you where on the shelves the book can be found. It's like a street address. When looking in the catalog at the record for an item, look in the next-to-last column.

The call number is the book's shelf address. When looking at the catalog record, you'll find this information in a table at the bottom, in the third column from the left.

  • The call numbers used by the Atlantic Cape Libraries are based on the Library of Congress Classification System.You'll notice that they look different from the Dewey Decimal numbers used by the public libraries.
    • Letters represent the main subject of the book.
    • The remainder of the call number narrows the subject and adds information specific to the book, which aids placement on the shelf.
  • There are guides posted around the library to help find a book.

    Please ask a librarian if you need help to navigate the book shelves.

 

To borrow books, use reserve books, laptop computers or equipment in the library you will need to activate your library account. Bring your College ID card to the Circulation Desk at any campus library to activate your account. Your College ID becomes your library card, along with a PIN code that you will choose. You'll use these numbers to get access to your library account, renew books, and request delivery from other libraries in our system.

Id Card with library barcode

You can use your College ID to apply for a Community Account to borrow materials from Richard Stockton University, a library card from the Atlantic City Free Public Library, the Atlantic County Library System and Cape May County libraries.

How do I get a Book from Another Library?

Found a book in another library?

Want to get it delivered? Here's how:

Look at the upper right corner of the record for the item. Find the Hold button.

catalog place hold button

In the form, enter your library barcode and PIN. Log into your library account.

Select the library where you would like to pick up the book.

Tip: if you are using an Atlantic Cape library card, you should select an Atlantic Cape library as your pick-up location. If you would prefer to pick your item up at your local public library, use your ACLS card to request the item.

Tips for Requesting Books

  • You need to be a registered library user to place holds on items in the catalog. Didn't set up your card yet? Visit Student Services to get your card made up.Can't get here when the ID card office is open? Let us know; we can help.
  • Delivery turn-around time is typically 2-5 days. Allow time for your items to travel.
  • The nine major public library branches of the ACLS respond quickly to holds.
    • Some libraries in the ACLS do not participate in the delivery service. If you try to place a hold on an item and it is denied, please talk to a librarian. We can help you to request an Interlibrary Loan, or suggest other titles that could be used instead.
  • Can't get to the library? If you don't live near enough to come to campus, send emali to library@atlanticcape.edu, and we can discuss the best ways to make sure you get the resources you need.

Borrowing Basics

To borrow material from the library, bring the item(s) to the Circulation Desk, with your library card.

Most materials can be borrowed for four weeks, and can be renewed if no other user is waiting for the material.

Material can be returned to any Atlantic Cape or ACLS library. Book drops are available at all locations. Be careful to use the library book drop on campus. Check out the locations of book drops on campus.

Please pay attention to due dates. When items are not returned, a Hold will be placed on your College Account.
Need to keep an item a little longer? You can renew borrowed materials, by bringing them to the Circulation Desk, calling 609-343-4951, or logging into your library account online.

Materials with the location 'Reserve' may only be used in the library.

Materials located in the Reference collections are generally for use in the library, but exceptions are possible. Talk to a librarian if you want to borrow a reference book.