Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CHECKING OUT MATERIALS:
What sort of identification do I need to check
out an item?
Your student photo I.D. is used to check out materials. Bring your
student I.D. to the library to have staff activate it.
Can my spouse/child/friend use my card to check
out materials?
No. Just the student whose photo appears on the card may use the
card to check out materials
What are the checkout periods for the various library materials?
Books and audiobooks may be checked out for three weeks.
Reference books may be checked out only at the discretion of the librarian.
Reserve materials are to be used in the library for the most part. However, some reserve materials may be checked out according to the instructor's stipulations. For some materials that may be overnight or weekend checkout. Others may be a week or a semester.
Current issues of periodicals may not be checked out. Older issues (located under the display shelf) may be checked out for one week.
Software tutorial videos and CD-ROMs may be checked out for one week. All other AV items are to be used only in the library.
How many items may I check out at one time?
There is no limit on the number of items that may be checked out
at one time. (within reason)
The book I need is checked out. Can I put a hold
on it?
Yes. You may click on the Place Hold link at the bottom of the
item record in our library catalog.
How can I find out what I already have checked
out?
On the library homepage click on MnPALS. Then click on Your
Borrowing Record. At the next screen you will be asked for the
barcode number (on the back of your student photo I.D.) and a
password (which will be your last name). Type both in and click
Log on. Under Activities, click on Loans to see what
you have checked out.
Are there fines for overdue materials?
We do not charge fines; however, if an item is lost, you will be
charged the replacement cost plus a $5 fee per lost item.
Where should I return materials?
There is a return slot at the front of the circulation counter at
Eden Prairie and a large box return to the left of the copy machine at
Brooklyn Park.
May I renew materials by phone or online?
Yes. Call 952-995-1535 at Eden Prairie campus and 763-488-2534 at
Brooklyn Park campus to renew by phone. To renew online, go to the
library homepage and click on MnPALS. Log on to Your Borrowing
Record using your barcode number (on the back of your
student photo I.D.) and your password (which will be your last
name), under Activities click on Loans and there you can
click Renew All or click on the number before each item to
renew individually.
The book I need is not listed as checked out but
is not on the shelf. What can I do?
Ask one of the library staff for assistance.
Are there laptops available for check out?
Yes, the library has 10 laptops available for 2˝-hour checkout.
These computers, purchased by the Student Senate have a wireless
Internet connection that is active in several areas of the school.
They may not be taken home. The guidelines are posted at the
circulation counter.
How do I search our library’s catalog?
On th e library homepage, click on MnPALS. This will bring you to
the basic search screen. You may search by author, title, subject or
terms anywhere in the record. Each individual record will give
location and availability.
Does the library have class textbooks for
students to check out?
The library does not, as a rule, carry any of the required
textbooks used by an instructor unless the instructor puts copies of
his/her text in the Reserve section. These texts are to be used in
the library only.
INTERLIBRARY LOAN:
How long does it take to get an item through
interlibrary loan?
It generally takes 4-5 business days for the material to arrive,
although it may take longer if the item is difficult to obtain. You
are encouraged to check with the library after 4-5 business days to
see if your material has arrived. If the library does not hear from
you it will notify you by phone or e-mail that your inter-library loan
request has arrived.
How many items may I borrow through interlibrary
loan?
There is no limit on the number of items you may request.
Is it possible to borrow audiovisual materials
through interlibrary loan?
Yes. Check the location line in the record to see if there is a
“Not available for interlibrary loan” notation. If there is no such
notation, we may request the material.
How can I find out what other libraries own?
Go into HTC’s Online Catalog (from the library main page, click on
Find Books or Other Materials. Then click on HTC’s Online
Catalog) At the top of the screen, you will find that the library
choice is set at Hennepin Tech Lib. Click on the arrow to the right of
the Select a Library Catalog box, and drag down to highlight
All MnPALS Libraries. Type your search request into the search
box.
If you find an item you would like, click on ILL Request on the yellow bar toward the upper right of the record. You will need to identify yourself by using the 14-digit number on the back of your student ID card and your last name, select your home library and log on. Once you log on you need to click on ILL Request again. A form will appear. Arrow down and pick a Pickup/Delivery Location. Then choose a Not Needed After? date (choose at least 7 days from the request date). The click on Go. When the “Your Inter-library loan has been submitted” page appears, you may choose to go to File/Print and print out a copy of the page to verify that you did submit an inter-library loan request. For more information on interlibrary loan, see the “Interlibrary Loan Guide” link on the library homepage under “Do It Yourself” or contact library staff for assistance.
I’m not a student here. May I use interlibrary
loan?
Interlibrary loan service is limited to students, faculty and
staff of Hennepin Technical College with activated ID cards.
WHERE THINGS ARE:
Where can I listen to and view audiovisual
materials in the library?
Equipment for listening to and viewing audiovisual materials is
located along the railing on the cafeteria side of the library.
OTHER LIBRARIES:
If I’m an HTC student, faculty, or staff member,
may I check out materials from other MnSCU libraries?
Generally, yes; however, due to specific department use, some
items are limited to use only at that particular library.
PRINTING & COPYING:
Are there photocopiers in the library?
Yes. There is a photocopier to the left of the circulation counter
next to the stairs at Eden Prairie campus and to the right of the
circulation counter next to the stairs at Brooklyn Park campus. Copies
are 5 cents. You may get change for a dollar in the machine in the
cafeteria. No color copying is available.
All students who want to print in the library will be required to have a Smartcard (obtained in the computer lab). Students will have access to 10 free printed pages per day; but, in order to access those free pages, a student must have put at least $1.00 on his/her Smartcard. Money can be put on your Smartcard at one of two locations on campus--the cafeteria and the registration area. Once you have put money on your card, you will have access to those 10 free printed pages per day in the library. Any amount printed above the 10 free pages will be subtracted from the amount of money you put on your card at a rate of 2 cents per page.
OTHER TOPICS:
May I eat and/or drink in the library?
You may have a beverage or snack on the study tables in the
library. NO FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED ON COMPUTER WORK STATIONS!!
Does the library have a “Lost and Found?”
If an item is left behind, it is usually kept in the library until
near closing time. If the owner hasn’t claimed it, it is taken to the
school “Lost and Found” at the front desk.
I am a student at Hennepin Technical College. Can
I get a job in the library?
The library will hire one work study per semester per campus.
Speak with a financial aid person on either campus at the beginning of
each semester if you are interested in being a work study.
Can I buy paper, disks, and pens/pencils in the
library?
The library does not sell any of the above items. You may purchase
these items at the bookstore, which is located across the hall.
Do you have any special services for the
disabled?
Yes. The library has one study carrel that is designed for use by
students who use a wheelchair. There is a ramp to access the library
from the nearby hall. Close captioned videos may be viewed at one of
our carrels. Any other special services would have to be arranged
through HTC's Disability Service Coordinator.
Can I access the Internet in the library?
All of the computers in the library have Internet access.
Can I use e-mail to ask a reference question?
Yes, you may e-mail any of the library staff to answer a reference
question. Just go to the library’s homepage and click on the link
“Get Help” (last shaded link on the page). Then click on the
“Ask a Librarian” link (first link on the page). Please allow a
day’s leeway for us to answer as we are very busy.
How can I suggest that the library purchase an
item?
Just e-mail one of the library staff with author, title and the
copyright date of your suggested library purchase.
You may also just hand one of the library staff a printout of a title you would like to see added to the collection or just mention an author and title.
How big is the library’s collection?
Approximately 13,000 materials per campus.
How can I get remote access to the library’s
catalog and other electronic databases?
Once your student photo I.D. is activated, you will be able to
access the library’s catalog remotely from home, work, etc. Remote
access to other electronic databases is explained on a handout
available at the circulation counter.
I’m not an HTC student. May I use the library?
You will be welcome to use materials within the library.
Permission to check out an item will generally be refused; however,
your request may be granted at the discretion of the librarian.
What are the library’s hours?
Monday-Thursday 7:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Friday 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Summer hours
7:00-3:30 Mondays -Friday
What are the computer lab hours?
Check the Computer Lab link on HTC’s Web site.
Does the library have typewriters that I may use?
Yes. A typewriter for public use is available next to the railing
at both campuses.
Can I do word processing in the library?
Yes. Word processing (specifically Microsoft Word) is available on
all the PC's at both campuses.
How can I check to see what my instructor has on
reserve?
Click on the Reserve List link on the Library homepage. This will
tell you what titles are on reserve and what instructor has put those
titles on reserve.
Is there a quiet place to study in the library?
Due to the library’s design, there is no place that is
consistently quiet for study. However, there is a quiet study room
right across the aisle from the library on the bookstore side at the
Eden Prairie campus and in room D109 at the Brooklyn Park campus.
May I donate books or magazines to the library?
Yes, we encourage donations to the library. Since our size is very
limited, the librarian will decide if the space allows additional
item/s in the particular subject area. Any item that is not added to
our collection will be put out for students or staff to take.
May I leave my child/children in the library when
I’m in class?
We do not encourage it. You may leave your child in the library as
long as you understand that we are not responsible for his/her
entertainment or safety . Children may sit quietly at the
tables or may watch a video at one of the TV/VCR carrels along the
railings. THEY ARE NOT, HOWEVER, ALLOWED TO USE THE COMPUTERS.
Contact HTC at 952-995-1300 or info@hennepintech.edu
Copyright © 2009 by Hennepin Technical College