Library Hours in A110:
The library will be closed on holidays and breaks listed on the BRCC academic calendar
AND - the online library is always open and you can access electronic resources and helpful guides at the Houff Library website: https://www.brcc.edu/library/. The library staff is available to help and you can contact us at library@brcc.edu or use the live chat!
Ask a Librarian chat librarians can assist you in a variety of ways. Working on a paper at 2 am and want to run your research topic by someone else? Need help refining your search terms or uncovering a stronger search strategy? Getting frustrated by the catalog or databases? Want to double check a citation? The Ask a Librarian 24/7 chat is for you! Chat librarians can help with all these things and so much more!
If you have any questions on specific assignment details, including due dates, course expectations, or whether or not a database or source will work for your assignment, please check in with your professor.
Follow the instructions on the Library Technology Guide to download the Libby App to borrow and listen to audiobooks through Libby.
To search an catalog of books available to you on Libby, check out their Overdrive page: https://vccs.overdrive.com/
Some of them! Houff Library has some required textbooks available - these textbooks are provided by your instructors and are placed On Reserve behind the Library Information Desk. However, these textbooks are for in-library use only. We have a scanner in the library and a copier. Please ask us at the desk for more information. Reserve materials are still available in A110 during the Houff renovation process.
To look up your class and see the list of required and recommended course materials, go to the efollet link under myBRCC or visit: https://bkstr.com/blueridgeccstore and click find courses. This will show the textbooks for the class and from the list you can select "add to cart" for print and digital books, including rental textbooks.
Contact information for the bookstore at BRCC is: 540-234-8606 or brcc@bkstr.com.
You can contact the bookstore if you have any problems using the website.
The library provides access to thousands of online, full-text articles through our databases. Check out the A-Z List of all library databases at BRCC. Once you are in the database you select, type in the name of the work or author you are researching. We have step-by step guides available to help you with the discovery process. If you are off-campus, you will need to log in with your myBRCC username and password when prompted. Here is a guide to that process.
If you still don't find what you need, ask us for help! If you need help using the databases, let us know and we will be glad to assist you.
Yes! During renovations, tutoring will be available in A107. Writing assistance and course tutoring are free of charge to all BRCC students in the library and virtually. We recommend students make an appointment via Navigate, however students may be seen on a drop-in basis as time and staffing allow. Off-hours appointments are also available by request. Visit our tutoring guide to find more information. If you have further questions or need assistance making an appointment, please email tutoring@brcc.edu or visit the Houff Library front desk.
Writing assistance is available in A107 during these times:
Monday: 10:15am-3:00pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:30am-3:00pm
Friday: By appointment
Extended hours are available during midterms and finals.
Yes! Current BRCC students, faculty, and staff can use other local academic libraries who are part of the VIVA Cooperative Borrowing program. This includes JMU, MBU, EMU, Bridgewater, and others. The full list of colleges is available online. To use library resources at VIVA libraries you will need to have your current BRCC ID.
Please submit a request for the title you need through the library catalog. Due to the renovations, we have limited and irregular access to the books during this time, and will email you when the book is ready to be picked up in A110.
Laptops are still available for checkout through renovations. Students can borrow an on-campus, 5-week, or 15-week laptops by coming by A110. If we have no laptops currently available, students can fill out a form to borrow a laptop or be added to the waitlist. Please note being placed on the waitlist does not guarantee you will be able to check out a laptop.
Laptops will be made available for the summer semester on May 16th.
You can return your books to A110 or use the drive-up book drop by the Armstrong/C building. If you want to renew your materials you can call us at 540-453-2247 or email us at library@brcc.edu.
You can schedule a research appointment with a librarian by logging into the myBRCC system and setting up an appointment through EAB Navigate. For detailed instructions on that process check out this video: https://youtu.be/EJ46qem0eLo
Yes, dual enrollment students have the same access to resources as all BRCC students. Check out our Dual Enrollment Guide for more info.
Fill out the Interlibrary Loan Request Form online to request items not owned by the BRCC Houff Library. This service is at no charge to you. We will contact you when your book or article is available.
All printing is free to current BRCC students, staff, and faculty. The following labs have black and white printing and can be used when not scheduled for a class:
Bring your free BRCC student/staff ID to the information desk or a photo ID with the items that you want to borrow. We do require all students fill out a technology agreement form to borrow calculators or webcams. If you are a community member you must have your community member card that we provide or a photo ID. If you are under 18 and want a community member library card, you must have your legal parent/guardian present with you to obtain a signature.
Financial Aid: brccfinancials@brcc.edu
In Person: Houff Student Center
M-Th: 8:30 am-5:00 pm
F: 8:30 am-12:00 pm
Campus Call Center: 540-453-2301
M-Th: 8:00 am-8:00 pm
F: 8:00 am-12:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Struggling to get connected to the BRCC WiFi? Check out the page linked here: (link opens in new tab)
Follow the instruction on this guide: https://brcc.vccs.libguides.com/offcampus
MyBRCC not working, but you still have coursework to do? Use one of these links instead.
Canvas – https://learn.vccs.edu
Navigate – https://brcc.campus.eab.com
There are several ways to receive help from the library. You can visit us in person for assistance in A110 (campus map), reach out via email, call us at (540) 453-2247 or set up a one-on-one appointment via Navigate (for instructions, check out this video). For assistance after hours or on weekends, check out the 24/7 chat service. For more information on contacting the library, and the resources and services we provide, see this Research Guide. For students in the SDV class, we have a guide specifically for introducing you to Houff resources.
In terms of useful resources the library provides, we have a plethora of materials that you can find/use on and off campus:
Most library databases provide a permanent/persistent link that will take you directly back to a specific article or ebook you have found. Don't use the URL you see in the browser window--this is only a temporary link. Look instead for the share or permalink button in the database menu--usually located at the top right of the page. There are several icons that can be used to represent the share feature. Or, look for the DOI and use the web address listed there.
We are still lending calculators during Houff renovations. Calculators can be checked out for a semester but must be renewed every four weeks. Calculators must be brought into the library to be renewed; they cannot be renewed over the phone. Stop by A110 to borrow one!
You can find full-text literary criticism, literature analysis, and author biographies in our library databases. We recommend using the databases mentioned in the English 112 Research Guide. The Gale Literature database is particularly useful when researching literary criticism. Once you are in the database you selected, type in the name of the work or author you are researching.
We have step-by step guides available to help you with the discovery process. If you are off-campus, you will need to log in with your myBRCC username and password when prompted. Here is a guide to that process. If you still don't find what you need, ask us for help!
BRCC students can check out print books in our library and also have access to thousands of full-text academic ebooks online through some of our databases! (just sign in with your myBRCC credentials when prompted)
Great places to find academic ebooks:
ProQuest eBook Central
EBSCO eBooks
Gale eBooks (includes academic encyclopedias)
You can also search for books in the Library Catalog and limit your results to books and online access.
To request a physical book, please use the catalog, please follow the instructions on this page: https://brcc.vccs.libguides.com/library-in-a110/circulation
If you need help getting started or registering for classes visit the Student Services virtual reception room (through Zoom) to get information, resources, or for returning students to meet with an advisor. The reception desk will be open Monday – Thursday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and Friday 8:30 am to noon.
https://www.brcc.edu/student-support-services/remote-services-online-resources-for-students/
Why is it important to make use of library resources, instead of relying solely on the general internet? There are many advantages to using library print and digital resources over those that you find on Google or Google Scholar.
