Frequently Asked Questions About the Library
For more information call the circulation desk at ext. 301.
How many books and other materials can I check out and how long can I keep them?
My instructor has placed a book on reserve for my class. How can I check out and use this item?
How do I access the wireless network in the library?
How do I access NC LIVE or other databases from off-campus?
What services and resources can I use from other libraries?
Where can I find a quiet place to study in the library?
How can I find my way around the library? - Library Floorplan
How do I get to the library? - Google Maps
Who works here? - Library Staff
- How do I get a library card?
- You can get a library card at the circulation desk on the main level of the library
where you will fill out and sign a short library card application form.
Please bring a photo id and students may need to show
proof of registration. With your library card you can check out materials, use
the research computers and students can access reserve items.
There is no charge for a library card and it will need to be updated with a current sticker each semester you are enrolled. If you lose your card there is a $3.00 replacement fee.
Continuing education students, as well as Buncombe and Madison County residents, can also get library cards, although borrowing privileges for these two groups are different.
Contact the library circulation desk at 254-1921 (x301) for more details. - How many books and other materials can I check out and how long can I keep them?
- If you are a full-time student there is no check-out limit on general collection books.
There is a limit of two items per checkout for the Audio and Feature Film collections. Books
are checked out for two weeks; media for one week. Magazines, except for the most recent issue,
may be checked out overnight. Check-out periods for items on reserve will vary.
Continuing education students and community patrons may check out up to ten
general collection books. Media and reserves check-out is only
available to full-time students, faculty and staff.
IMPORTANT: You need to have your library card with you to check out library materials.
Overdue fines are 10 cents per day for books, 25 cents per day for magazines, and 50 cents per day for media. Fines vary for reserve materials depending on the loan period. - How can I check out a laptop?
- Laptops are available for checkout to curriculum students, faculty and staff. The checkout period is 3 hours and is for IN LIBRARY USE ONLY. A current library card and photo id must be left at the circulation desk while the laptop is checked out.
- How can I renew my books?
- Books can be renewed at the circulation desk or
through the library catalog.
To renew your books online, enter your library card’s barcode number to access
your account. You may not renew any overdue items through the web site.
General collection materials can be renewed for two-week periods unless there is a hold placed on the item. Feature films, magazines, and reserves may not be renewed.
If you would like to renew your books in person at the circulation desk, please have your library card with you. - My instructor has placed a book on reserve for my class. How can I check out and use this item?
- Reserve items are held at the circulation desk and may be checked out with your student library card. Check-out periods for reserve items may vary and some items must remain in the library at all times.
- How do I access the wireless network in the library?
- Wireless access is available throughout the library. If you bring your own laptop computer the access code is available at the circulation desk.
- How do I access NC LIVE or other databases from off-campus?
- You can get an “NC LIVE @ home” card at the circulation desk which provides the off-campus ID and password combination. You will need a current library card to get the password which changes every semester. Full-time students can also get remote access information for the Gale and Issues & Controversies databases.
- What services and resources can I use from other libraries?
- A-B Tech offers Interlibrary Loan (ILL) which allows borrowers to request
materials from participating libraries. Book loans are generally free.
Sometimes a fee, determined by the lending library, is charged for
periodical articles.
UNCA guest borrower cards are available to curriculum students, faculty and staff at A-B Tech. This card can be used to check out books from UNCA but does not permit interlibrary loans, ABC Express, media checkouts or computer lab privileges at UNCA.
Mountain College Library Network (MCLN) is a consortium of western North Carolina libraries. Curriculum students, faculty and staff at A-B Tech can request an MCLN guest borrower card at the circulation desk which will allow them to check out books at the following libraries: - Where can I type a paper in the library, check my email or access my Blackboard account in the library?
- Full-time students can do all those things in the
open computer lab which is located on the lower level.
The computers on the upper level are for individual and class research purposes only and do not have word-processing programs installed on them.
Computers in Email Central, located near the computer lab on the lower level, are available for checking email. - Where can I find a quiet place to study in the library?
- We have four group study rooms with whiteboards that seat 6-8 people. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Whiteboard markers may be checked out at the circulation desk with your library card. Several areas of the library also have signs designating them as quiet study areas.
| A-B Tech | Isothermal CC | McDowell Tech |
| Blue Ridge CC | Lees-McRae College | Montreat College |
| Brevard College | Lenoir-Rhyne | Southwestern CC |
| Gardner-Webb College | Mars Hill College | Tri-County CC |
| Haywood CC | Mayland CC | Warren Wilson College |
The Community's College, Dedicated To Student Success