MSJC Library

General Instruction Sessions

Use the Library Instruction Request Form to set up an instruction session for your class. Please schedule as early as possible to ensure librarian availability on your preferred date and time.

• Broad overview of library resources, services, and research skills. Sessions typically focus on search strategies using the library catalog and databases but can be customized to class assignments.
• Take place during class time and instructors must be present.
• 45-60 minutes long.

Online Library Orientation

• The MSJC Online Library Orientation includes a broad overview of library resources and research skills broken into six modules.
• Accessed via the library homepage or linked in Canvas course shells. Contact librarians for information on embedding gradable quizzes in Canvas.
• Self-paced.

Virtual Library Workshops

• Targeted to specific databases or research skills.
• Workshops scheduled throughout the fall and spring semesters. See the workshop calender for current schedule.
• Take place outside of class time via Zoom.
• 30 minutes or less.

Video Tutorials

• Check out brief research video tutorials on our YouTube channel!
• Request a custom video on a topic of your choosing.

The MSJC Libraries provide students free access to textbooks and faculty-reserved course materials. Some textbooks may be available for students to borrow. Call 951-346-2292 or text 951-783-4977 to inquire.

The libraries try to purchase copies of textbooks and other required books. However, the libraries usually do not have dedicated textbook funding or a complete list of required materials so cannot guarantee that all textbooks are available.

Most textbooks are held on open shelving for student self-service. Specialized reserve materials that cannot easily be shelved or that are limited for use only by students in designated courses are held behind the Circulation Desk. Students and faculty must present ID to check out reserve items, typically for 2 hours inside the library only. Examples of reserve materials include:

• Journals and other periodicals
• Physical objects and/or supplemental items (e.g., geological samples)
• CD’s and DVD’s (must be licensed and closed-captioned originals; the library cannot accept copies)

Faculty may also submit personal copies of textbooks and other materials to the library for student use. Please submit materials as early as possible to allow time for processing* and shelving, particularly at the beginning of the semester. Library staff are available to accept materials during semester breaks. Please contact staff at the Circulation Desk for assistance.

*Textbooks and reserve items are processed with identifying stickers and tape, which may damage covers.

Open Educational Resources are teaching, learning, and research materials in any medium – digital or otherwise – that reside in the public domain or have been released under an open license that permits no-cost access, use, adaptation and redistribution by others with no or limited restrictions.

--William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

Check out our guides on Open Educational Resources and Open Educational Resources by Discipline!

For more information, contact OER Librarian, Carrie Consalvi.

Librarians accept recommendations from faculty any time during the year. 

To suggest a title for purchase, please email the appropriate campus librarians with the following information:

• Title, ISBN or ISSN (if known)
• Author/editor/producer

MVC Library

• Sherri Moore
• Carrie Consalvi

SJC Library

• Anya Franklin
• Evan Tucker