Research Help

Searching for eBooks at the Library

Kirkwood students, faculty, and staff have access to over 150,000 eBook titles through EBSCOhost's eBooks and Project MUSE.

You can:

• Access these in-depth and high quality resources from a computer or mobile device
• Load them onto eReaders
• Print sections.
• Copy and paste a citation in MLA or APA style
• Search the Library's eBook collection through the main Library search (WorldCat).

Library Search (WorldCat) directions:

1. Go to the WorldCat search or the Library homepage. You may search by keyword, subject, author, or title. After entering your search, hit enter, then select the "eBook" format limit (along the left side of the screen) to view only eBook results.
2. Click the "View Online" button just below the book title to view a description of the book.
3. Continue with step 3 of the EBSCOhost eBooks directions below.

EBSCOhost eBooks directions:

1. Go to the EBSCOhost eBooks search. You may search for eBooks by keyword, author or title.
2. Click on the title you want to view to get to the detailed record view.
3. Click on the "eBook Full Text" link on the left side of the screen [see screenshot below] to view the complete book.
   
4. From this screen you have many options. You can [A] browse the Table of Contents; [B] scroll through the book page by page or skip to a specific page number; [C] search the full text of the book for a specific word;  [D] save or print a section of the book by selecting "Save Pages"; or [E] view an APA or MLA style citation for the book. See the next section of this guide for more details on printing or downloading eBooks.
   

Kirkwood students and employees at any location can use the "Place Hold" function in our library search.

This function will do two things:

1. If the book is checked out to another user, the "Place Hold" will have the library save the book for you when it is returned. 

2. If the book is not checked out, the "Place Hold" will have the library pull it from the shelf and send it through campus mail to the campus or center you request.

Follow the directions below to place a hold on a library item.

Checkout periods for students

Books: 3 weeks

Reserve items: In library use only, 4 hour limit

Magazines and journals: 7 days

Graphing calculators: 1 semester with $20 refundable cash deposit

Laptops: 

UPDATE for Spring 2020 only: Laptop due date is May 13, 2020.

• Cedar Rapids Campus policy:
  • Laptops may be checked out for one week or 7 days.  For example, laptops checked out on a Saturday must be returned by the following Saturday. Length of check-out periods will be amended during student breaks.
  • No telephone or online renewals.
  • Requires signing laptop agreement attached below.
  • If all 7-day laptops are checked out, you may place a hold to be notified when one becomes available. Follow this link to place a hold: click "Place Hold", then select the option "Main Library Laptop -- 7 day". You will be notified through your student email, and then have 48 hours to pick it up at the Main Campus Library Checkout Desk.
• Iowa City Campus policy: Laptops may be checked out for 4 hours, and must remain on campus. Requires leaving a photo ID.

Reference and Special Collections: for use in library only.

Other items available for use in the Library 

Technology items 

• Headphones 
• USB flash drives
• Phone chargers (as available)

Miscellaneous other resources

• Dry erase markers
• Staplers & 3-hole punch
• Paper cutter
• Photo copier & printers: learn more about student printing at the Student Print Quota website.
• Group study rooms: in Cedar Rapids make your own reservation online; in Iowa City call the circulation desk to make a reservation, at 319-887-3613.
• Expert research help from librarians, lots of online help resources, and quality information resources!

Renewing Materials

• To renew library materials, contact us or renew online via My Library Account. 

Request delivery or place a hold

• Request library materials to be delivered to your campus or center by locating the item in the online catalog and clicking "Place Hold". Directions on the Center Delivery page.
• Request library materials that are checked out to another user be placed on hold by following the same directions on the Center Delivery page. Your request will prevent the current borrower from renewing the item, and you will be notified when the item is ready for pickup.

Fines & Stops

• The Library no longer charges late fines for most items. However materials must still be returned promptly, and students will be charged for the replacement cost of unreturned items.
• The Library may send courtesy reminder(s) of overdue materials to your student email. It remains the responsibility of the borrower, however, to return materials promptly.​ 
• Failure to return materials will result in blocked class registration, graduation and receipt of transcripts.