Our librarian, Michael Kirby, can meet with your class to show your students how to efficiently and effectively find the information they need. The duration, location, and content of each session depends on the instructor's specific needs. A good session requires planning, so please try to schedule sessions at least two weeks in advance. To request a session, please contact Michael in person, at Michael.Kirby@dctc.edu, or at 651-423-8406.
Michael can also create a library guide for your class or program, which helps all students but especially students in online classes. See some of our Library Guides for examples and contact Michael if you're interested.
Our librarian, Michael Kirby, is happy to assist students and instructors with their research. E-mail Michael.Kirby@dctc.edu, schedule a Zoom session, or call 651-423-8406.
Instructors may place items from the Library or from their own personal collections on reserve behind the circulation desk. The instructor decides the time limit of the loan and whether it may leave the Library; students must contact the instructor to request any exceptions. Because we depend on instructors to share copies of their textbooks with us, course reserves do not include all assigned texts for every class.
You can search course reserves with OneSearch; select "Course Resources" in the search box dropdown menu. To place items on reserve, please contact us at library@dctc.edu or at 651-423-8366.
Instructors may suggest books, videos, periodical subscriptions, and online resources for purchase by the Library. Suggested titles must meet the Library's collection development criteria, including currency, objectivity, value to students, and cost. If you would like to suggest a purchase, please contact Michael Kirby in person, at Michael.Kirby@dctc.edu, or at 651-423-8406.
Our Films On Demand collection offers more than 40,000 educational videos on a wide range of subjects. Depending on copyright and availability, we can also provide access to many movies and documentaries through our Swank Digital Campus and Kanopy subscriptions. Please contact Michael Kirby in person, at Michael.Kirby@dctc.edu, or at 651-423-8406 if you require your students to watch a particular video not currently found in any of these services.
Patrons are responsible for all items checked out to their accounts, including any damage or loss that may occur.
| Item Type | Initial Loan Period | Maximum Renewals Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Books & audiobooks | 3 weeks | 2 (9 weeks total) |
| DVDs | 3 days | 2 (9 days total) |
| Laptops, Chromebooks, and hotspots
|
3 weeks | 0 |
| iPads and Kindle | 1 week | 2 (3 weeks total) |
| Course Reserves – 3 types of loan periods |
No loan 2 hours 24 hours |
0 2 (6 hours total) 2 (3 days total) |
| Magazines | 1 week | 2 (3 weeks total) |
| Headphones, flash drives, calculators, & more | 2 hours - 1 week, depending on the item | 2 (6 hours - 3 weeks total) |
If you need to keep any checked-out items past the original due date, you can usually renew these online by logging into your OneSearch account. If the item is from another library, whether you can renew it and for how long depends on the policies of that library. Community members must contact the DCTC Library to request renewals. Please contact us with any questions regarding renewals.
If a patron returns an item with significant damage, we will determine the appropriate cost of repair or replacement. The patron will receive a bill for this cost, plus a $10 processing fee. The Library is willing to waive all charges if the patron provides a new copy of the latest edition of the lost item, but the patron should contact the Library first to confirm these details.
Patrons with overdue items will lose their borrowing privileges until all of the items are either renewed or returned.
There are no late fees for returning items past their due date. However, when an item has been overdue for a certain length of time (depending on the item type), we consider the item lost. The patron will receive two overdue notices via e-mail before receiving a bill for the replacement cost of the item, plus a $10 processing fee. Failure to receive these notices does not absolve the patron from fees. Students with unpaid charges on their account may not register for classes, receive transcripts, or graduate. To remove the charges, the patron must either pay them in full or return all lost items in good condition. Patrons can pay their bills at the Cashier’s Office near the main entrance. If a patron pays for a lost item and later returns the lost item in good condition, the DCTC Business Office will issue a reimbursement check to the patron. The Library is also willing to waive all charges if the patron provides a new copy of the latest edition of the lost item, but the patron should contact the Library first to confirm these details.
Non-DCTC members of the community are welcome to use the Library’s resources on a limited basis. If you wish to borrow materials, ask a librarian to help you set up an account; this requires a government-issued photo ID. Be aware that some materials (course reserves, electronic devices, and some videos, for example) are for DCTC-affiliated patrons only. Computers are available for use of the library’s online resources and basic Internet functions.
The mission of the Dakota County Technical College Library is to provide information resources and services that support the academic needs, intellectual interests, and information literacy of the College's students and employees.
