Library Policies

• Checking Out Materials
• Textbook and Course Reserves
• Fines and Fees
• Contesting Fines and Fees
• Book Holds
• InterLibrary Loan
• Film 100 and Film 104 Film Rental
• Computer Lab Rules
• Group Study Rooms
• Cell Phone Use
• Filming in the Library
• Food and Drink
• Library Records
• Acquisitions Policy

Checking Out Materials

Students must be currently enrolled and present an OCC student photo ID to check out library materials. Student ID cards are available in Watson Hall.

Loan periods are stamped or written on a date due slip located inside the library material. Please refer to this slip so that materials are returned on time.

Reference materials, magazines, journals and newspapers may not be checked out. If you are an OCC instructor who requires a reference or periodical item for your class, please speak with the librarian at the Reference Desk.

Media materials, such as DVDs and CDs, are located at the Media and Computer Lab Desk. Borrowers may check out two circulating media items for three days at a time. Media items may not be renewed or placed on hold, except by faculty members.

Circulating Books, ESL materials, and Audiobook Borrowing Limits

*Except for Bestsellers (3-week checkout)

Textbook and Course Reserves

Textbooks and course reserves are available at the Circulation Desk and media reserves are available at the Media and Computer Lab Desk. These items are for in-library use only. An OCC student photo ID is required to check out reserve items. You must know the call number of the item you want to check out. Reserves are restricted to current OCC students and faculty only.

The circulation period varies, but most items can be checked out for 2 hours. Staff will write the date and time in a date due slip as well as inform the borrower when the material is due back. Two reserve items may be checked out at one time. Reserve materials that are removed from the facility are immediately subject to fines and replacement costs.

Due to demand, the library cannot place holds on materials from the Circulating Reserves collection. If your loan period is over, you may check out the material again 15 minutes after returning the item. If no one checks it out during the 15 minutes, you may have the item for another 2 hours. You may check out the same item as many times as you like, as long as you return it for 15 minutes each time your checkout period expires.

See more on information on Film 100/104/150 reserves.

Fines and Fees

Patrons are responsible for returning library materials on time and undamaged. The library charges fines for every day or hour that an item is overdue, including days the library is closed. Library items can be returned when the library is closed. Students who do not return library materials or pay overdue fines in a timely manner may have a hold placed on their student records. Accounts not settled within a reasonable time may be sent to a collection agency. Collection fees will be added to the fine amount. All fines are on a per-item basis. See below for standard fine amounts:

Lost or damaged library material fees include the replacement cost of the item plus a $15 processing fee per item and any accumulated overdue fines. Lost or damaged reserve material fees include the replacement cost of the item plus a $5 processing fee per item and any accumulated overdue fines. Borrowers will be e-mailed three overdue notices. The final notice will be mailed and includes a replacement fee per item, a processing fee per item and a $10 overdue fine per item charged to your account. For refunds, the patron needs to return the item with the receipt within 30 days of payment. Damaged items will not be accepted.

Patrons who owe $1 or more in overdue fines will be blocked from borrowing library materials. Students who owe $10 or more in library fines will have a hold placed on their records.

Students may pay their fines at the library Circulation Desk. The library accepts cash, money orders, checks, Apple Pay, or debit/credit card. Online payments are available as well. Students with holds who pay by cash, card, or money order will be cleared after all fines are paid in full. Holds will be cleared after 30 days if payment is made by check. Please call the Circulation Desk at (714) 432-5705 ext. 0 during regular business hours for additional information about payment.

Contesting Fines and Fees

The Circulation and Media Center departments do not waive overdue fines. To avoid a fine, please return your materials by the due date. Materials may be dropped off in the two exterior return bins at any time. Fines will stop accruing once the materials are returned. If you are going out of town, please return your library materials early to avoid fines.
Overdue materials are searched for prior to a notice being sent. If you receive an overdue notice, but feel you have returned your materials, please stop by the Circulation Desk or call 714-432-5705 ext. 21060. Staff can't waive fines and fees if materials are not found in the library. If this is the case, it is highly recommended that you check your bookshelves, under your car seats, and in your garage for library materials.

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Book Holds

Books available in the library may be held at the Circulation Desk for the following reasons:

• Patron does not have their student ID or library card.
• Patron has already used their one-time exception for the academic year.
• Patron does not have an official photo ID to allow them to get the one-time exception.
• Patron owes $1 or more in fines and can't pay.

No more than ten books will be held at a time. Books will be held for 24 hours. If the books are not picked up within that time, they will be reshelved.

Borrowers may place a hold on checked out materials at the Circulation Desk. The library will send a hold available notice when your item is available for pick-up. Holds will be held for 2 weeks. If you do not pick up your material after the 2 week period, the hold will be released and a cancellation notice will be mailed to you.

The library cannot place holds on circulating reserves or media materials.

InterLibrary Loan

Some materials that are not available at Orange Coast College library can be requested through interlibrary loan. Students are eligible to borrow library materials from Golden West, Fullerton College, and Cypress College. Faculty, staff, and administration may request materials from other libraries if they are unavailable from these colleges. Orange Coast College, as well as most libraries, do not include media materials and magazines for interlibrary loans. An automatic fee of $5.00 or more may apply to the item requested for interlibrary loan. Please speak with a librarian at the Reference Desk if you want to request an item.

Film 100, Film 104 & Film 150 Film Rental

Film 100, Film 104, and Film 150 media materials are available for checkout and are in the back of the library next to the ESL Collection. All students can borrow materials from these collections. Materials for these classes have a 7-day loan period. Film 100, Film 104, and Film 150 materials are subject to overdue fines.

Computer Lab Rules

Computers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The OCC Library follows the district Computer Use Policy. No food or drink is allowed in the computer lab. The library computer lab closes 15 minutes prior to the closing of the library. Patrons who repeatedly fail to leave the lab after closing are subject to loss of lab privileges

Group Study Rooms

Group study rooms are available to current OCC students only for 3 hours of use per group at a time. Students may sign up for a study room at the Circulation Desk or through the library’s website. The link is located under Library News and Events. Space is limited so reserving a room is highly recommended. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance. Reservations are held for 30 minutes. If the student is unable to make an online reservation, an OCC student ID card will be required by staff to book a room. You must have at least two students present to use the group study rooms. The student reserving the room is responsible for any damage, theft, or cleaning fees. The library reserves the right to refuse admittance to these rooms after official disciplinary action has been taken. Groups need to check out of their room 30 minutes prior to closing. No food is allowed in the study rooms. All study rooms are equipped with computers. Whiteboard erasers and markers are not provided by the library. Please bring your own. Groups unable to use a study room may use the Open Study Room to the left of the computer lab.

Individual students who need a quiet area for a Zoom meeting can use the Open Study Room or the study area behind the Media Desk. Headphones are available for a 4-hour, in-house checkout if needed.

Cell Phone Use

Please silence your cell phone while you are in the building. Patrons who are talking on a cell phone or wireless device may be asked to take their call outside.

Filming in the Library

The use of library facilities for filming without advanced authorization from the appropriate library personnel is prohibited. Filming will not be allowed during operating hours. Filming requests must be submitted in advance and in writing to the Library Dean. Requests must include a brief description of the project, area(s) in the library requesting to access, type of equipment to be used, other individuals who will be involved and course information. No access will be granted to offices, staff areas or public desks. After approval by the Library Dean, approval may also be required by campus Maintenance and Operations.

Food and Drink

Drinks in spill proof containers are allowed in the library; however, food is not permitted in the library. Patrons caught with food are subject to loss of privileges.

Smoking of any kind (including ecigarettes or vaping) is prohibited in the library.

Spill kits are available at the Reference Desk, Circulation Desk, and Media Desk. If you spill your drink in the library, please go to one of these desks and ask for a kit.

Library Records

The library cannot issue account information to anyone other than the patron except as provided for under state or federal law. This includes fine information, items checked out, and due dates. However, the library may share general account information with other departments within the college for business or statistical reasons.

Acquisitions Policy

Acquisitions Policy (PDF)