TCC Library: Study Rooms, Library Spaces & Map

The Front Desk

The Front Desk is a great place to start in the library! It's where you check out materials in the library.

Using your Student ID card, you can check out:

• books
• headphones
• laptops and more!

Accessing Course Reserves

Course Reserves are usually textbooks or required readings or videos that instructors have donated or loaned to the library for students to use. These materials are:

• checked out for two hours for use in the library (Some may be borrowed for longer periods).
• checked out on a first come, first serve basis.

The Library Instruction Classroom

The library instruction room, also known as the library classroom, is used mostly for library instruction. However, when we are not teaching in the classroom, the space is open to students for quiet study. 

The room contains:

• 30 PC computers
• large marker boards 
• a large table

During peak times, the library's computers can fill up quickly. The library instruction room, however, offers a little bit more room for studying and computer use.

Check the library instruction room's daily calendar

Be sure to check the the class schedule that is posted daily just outside of the door to see if the room is available to you.

Group Media Room

The Group Media Room is a great place where you and your classmates can go to study. 

Students can reserve group study spaces for up to two hours per day.

This room contains:

• 40" Monitor and Multimedia Workspace
• 4 PC Workstations
• Large space for groups of up to 8 students
• A large marker board/bulletin board 
  • Note: A minimum of 2 people is required

Reserve the Group Media Room

Use the link below to reserve the room (there is also a link on the library header, under the "Reserve Laptops, Equipment, & Study Rooms" link). Be sure to follow the instructions, as you will need to confirm your booking via your student email account before your reservation is complete. 

Additional Computers & Media Options on Campus

See the link below to learn about additional study spaces and equipment on campus.

Group Study Rooms

The Group Study Rooms are available to current students wanting a place to study uninterrupted (no public/guest use). 

There are four rooms are located on the mezzanine in the South Library Wing.

This room contains:

• Each workspace has a dry-erase board for collaborative study. 
• The rooms are open to anyone when the room is not reserved for a group. When a group has a reservation, you will be asked to leave.
• Two rooms are equipped with 32" widescreen LCD display monitors.
  • Students can connect their laptop computers to these large displays in order to facilitate group work and watch course-related media. 
  • The display interface cable and remote can be checked out at the Front Desk.
    • Note: A minimum of 2 people is required to reserve the room. Non-group/Individual students wanting a quiet study space should use the Silent Study room.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Reserve a Group Study Room

Use the link below to reserve the room (there is also a link on the library homepage) at least one hour in advance. Be sure to follow the instructions, as you will need to confirm your booking via email before your reservation is complete.

Computers, Study Spaces, and Wi-Fi

The library has 80 computers as well as other equipment:

• printers
• scanners, copy machine
• DVD & VHS players
• photocopiers
• 20 laptops 
• adaptive technology for students with special needs. 
• WiFi access

Make use of the many different tables, study areas or cubicles in the library. And remember, when there are no classes scheduled in the library classroom (Room 5), the computers and tables there are open for use.
 

Wi-Fi on Campus

"Titan Public" is the name of the campus wi-fi. No log in is needed, but there is a terms of agreement button to select before connecting. Additionally, in response to Covid-19, TCC (and many libraries across the state), have created extra, free, drive-up wi-fi options. Use the links below to learn more. 

Guest/visitor use:

The library space is open to the general public/community users, as well as borrowing privileges, and limited computer/printing use. See the "Library policies" tab for more details.

The Physical Collection Inside the Library 

The Library has several collections of books, e-books, and other printed materials.

• Books in the library's circulating collection (labeled as "main collection" in the catalog) may be borrowed for three weeks
• Print magazines and newspapers  may be borrowed  for one week
• Most reference books are for use in the library only. Some may be borrowed overnight, 3 days or 7 days (ask a librarian for details)
• DVDs can be borrowed for 3 days
• Electronic books can be viewed through the Library Catalog or databases

How to Renew Items:

• Most items may be renewed in person, through the Library Catalog, or by calling the Front Desk at 253.566.5087.

(click on image to enlarge)

Printing in the Library

Printing on campus is a two step process that requires you to log into both a campus computer and then the printers. Detailed instructions, printing prices, and more info are linked below. 

Printing Instructions

Use the link to see step-by-step instructions of what is written below. 

 (click on image to enlarge)

1. First, log into a computer on campus (using your Portal log in info), and then locate the documents you want to print. Select "Print" from whatever application you're printing from (Word, the internet, etc.). Be sure to check the settings before printing:
   • Choose "color" or "black and white" from the print screen menu (Note: This is often under the "More settings" option). 
   • Choose "print on both sides" if you want a double-sided copy (Note: This is often under the "More settings" option). 
      
2. After you send a document to print as noted above, go to printer/copy machines located near the front desk at the entrance of the library to release your documents. 
   • Log into the printer's screen using your Portal username (without the @student.tacomacc.edu) and password.
     • Select "Print Release" and you will then see the document/s you and can select to print.
     • Be sure to log out of the printer using the small arrow icon in the upper right corner (next to where you will see your name).

Note: There are no longer any wireless printing options on campus. 

Printing Costs

• New students start at TCC with $1.50 on their printing account. Once this is used, all students must then cover the expense of printing.
• It is 10 cents per page for black & white (or 15 cents for double-sided)
• It is 45 cents per page for color (or 75 cents for double-sided)
   

Adding Money to your Account

The printers don't take cash, card or change. Rather, all funds are linked to student accounts.

• Cash or silver coins can be added to student accounts with the "Add Value" Machine in the library.
  • Note: The machine will not give change, so exact bills/coins are needed. Credit/debit cards are not accepted at this time.

Guest/Visitor Use

The library space is open to the general public/community users, as well as borrowing privileges, and limited computer/printing use. See the "Library policies" tab for more details.

Scanning & Photocopying

Using the same copy machines/printers, you can also do the following:

• make black & white or color copies
• print from a USB
• scan a text or image that you can then print, save to a USB drive, or send to your student email address. 
   

Scanner/Copy Machine Instructions

Linked here are detailed instructions, with screenshots, of how to use the scanning feature on the machine.

Scanning/Printing Costs:

• It is free to scan something to a personal USB, or email to your student email address (personal email addresses are not permitted)
• If you want to print what you scan/copy, normal printing costs apply
  • It is 10 cents per page for black & white (or 15 cents for double-sided)
  • It is 45 cents per page for color (or 75 cents for double-sided)
    • See the previous tab for more info about adding funds to your student account or other payment options.

Note: Scanning/Copying options may be available for public users. Speak to the Front Desk for more info and options for non-TCC users.

How to Get Help with Copy Machines:

Get additional help using this machine by asking at the nearby Front Desk or Research Desk OR use the printed instructions near the machine.

Library Policies

Our goal is to ensure that the TCC Library is a quiet, welcoming teaching and learning space for all TCC students.

Support each other’s success in the Library by following some general guidelines. 

• The policies below have been effective since January 2014 and have been established by your TCC student government (ASTCC) and the faculty and staff of the TCC Library.

Food & Drink 

• Light snacks are allowed anywhere in the Library.
• Meals are only allowed in the Lobby area of the Library.  
• Covered drinks are allowed anywhere in the Library..

Cell Phone Use 

• Ringers must be quieted or silenced.
• All phone calls must be taken outside of Library.

Acceptable Computer Use

All computer/wireless use must comply with the TCC Acceptable Use policy, linked below, that includes:

• “Games and Internet-based entertainment applications (music, video, or other) are not appropriate uses of college systems” (#6).
• Students who need the Library computers/wireless for school-related work are given priority.
• Learn more by clicking the link below

Study Spaces

• There are study spaces designated for Silent Study, Quiet Study and (quiet) Group Work. Signs for these areas have been provided by the ASTCC.
• 3 group study rooms w/ large screen monitors are available for advance booking at the Library's homepage. The mezzanine includes spaces for quiet group study on a first come first serve basis..
• Because the Library is mostly open-concept, and even moderate noise is amplified, space is not available for socializing or noisy group work. Ask at the Front Desk for a list of alternative study spaces.

Note: We empathize with the challenges of finding childcare, however, children cannot be left unattended in the TCC Library.
 

Guest or Visitor Use of the TCC Library

The library space is open to visitors, guests and community users

• Computer use is prioritized for student-use. Guests, visitors, and community members can use the computers after 2pm and can stop at the Front Desk to get computer access. Regardless of status, everyone who uses TCC computers must follow TCC Acceptable Use policies
• The "Titan Public" wi-fi network can be freely used by guests
• Printing services/prices are the same for the public; however, cash is required to pay for print jobs
  • see the "Computer use & printing"  tab for more info
• The general public can also pay $5 to get a quarterly card to check out books and DVDs from the library's main collection (this excludes Reference items and Course Reserves).
  • Contact the Front Desk for more information.
• Group Study & Media rooms are for use by current TCC students only.
• The Library does not proctor tests of any kind.

Additional TCC Policies

Additional Library Policies

Click on the tabs in the link below to see additional policies, including library conduct, borrowing materials, study spaces, accessibility, and computers.