By Grant Norwood/reporter

TCC provides full-service libraries for students and the community with books to check out, study areas and online databases.

“We live in the information age,” said NE library services director Dr. Steven Hagstrom. “Libraries are kings.”

To check books out, students must use their TCC student ID. If they do not have one yet, they can present a schedule and fee statement showing enrollment for the current semester along with a photo ID at the circulation desk of any campus library.

Community members must show a photo ID and complete a brief form to get a community user card.

Books may be checked out for a maximum of three weeks, but at certain times during a semester, the checkout period can be shorter.

If students need more help with the library, TCC offers online tutorials, research assistance and subject guides.

“It provides a serene place to study for classes. The atmosphere brings something that is hard to find even at home with all the staff just waiting to help,” NE student Dylan Martinez said.

The J. Ardis Bell Library on NE Campus offers a legal research center for those students enrolled in the paralegal program. The NE facility also has a variety of historical artifacts in the Heritage Room. It is also the only library with Sunday hours.

The Walsh Library on NW Campus is the only library that offers a large juvenile collection for those students taking child development and teacher education courses, said NW librarian April Martinez.

The Jenkins Garrett Library on South Campus has a faculty-tutoring center for students who need additional help. It also has a quiet study area where noise is not allowed and the Drake Study Break Cafe where students can interact.

The SE library facility also offers a large variety of architecture resources for the architecture program. It also specializes in culinary materials to aid students signed up to intern at the Gaylord Texan hotel in Grapevine or other local establishments or for their courses from food preparation to human resources, said Mark Dolive, TR library services director.

TR Campus is a new library with a view that provides students with a peaceful study area. The TR facility provides an information literacy class for students to get certified in library research.

“We would really like to grow our information literacy program,” said Carol Everhart, TR director of library services.

TR Campus library has a large allied health section for nursing and other medical field students. It also is the only campus with a full bilingual section for ESL students.

All locations offer an intercampus loan program that students can apply for.

Students can go to any of the five libraries for additional information or help.

Some information can be found online or received over the phone with a librarian.