Mission Statement

The Library at Inver Hills exists to serve the educational, cultural, aesthetic, and leisure-time needs of students, faculty and staff by providing a variety of print and non-print materials and information services. Because formal education should entice students toward a lifetime process of self education in several areas, the Library staff will endeavor to make the library pleasant, interesting and helpful in order to create a continuing desire in students to use other libraries once they leave Inver Hills Community College.

Hours

Please note that hours may vary during semester breaks and holidays. You may call the library in advance to confirm open hours (651-450-8625).  If you need to drop off library materials after hours, there is a book-drop box located outside the second level entrance of the library building. 

Summer Hours 2008:

• June 2 - Aug. 7 M- Th 8 am - 6 pm Closed Fridays, Saturdays
• Aug. 11- 22 M-Th 8 am -4 pm Closed Fridays, Saturdays
• Regular semester library hours begin Monday, Aug. 25.
• During the week of July 28, the library will be under construction. We will be closed on Tuesday, July 29 but open on Wednesday and Thursday our regular summer hours. Construction will still be going on those days so please expect noise and disruption. We apologize for any convenience.

Fall and Spring Semesters:

• Monday - Thursday 8 am - 9 pm
• Friday 8 am - 4 pm
• Saturday 9 am - 3 pm

Policies

As a courtesy to all of our users, we ask that individuals follow our policies to ensure that materials are readily available to everyone.

Circulation

Inver Hills Library has a collection of over 50,000 books, reference materials, slides, CDs, cassettes, videos and film. The Library also subscribes to over 260 periodicals. Checking out library materials costs little to nothing! Library privileges are available to all currently enrolled students, faculty and staff. Please obtain a picture ID card from the Computer Lab located in the Library Building lower level and then stop in the Library to get your library barcode. Items which may be checked out with an Inver Hills library card include:

• Books for 28 days (faculty and staff may have them for one semester)
• Periodicals for 7 days (some exceptions)
• Feature film videos and dvds for 7 days (Limit 10)
• CDs for 7 days (Limit 10)
• Reserve materials for 2 hours, 4 hours or overnight

Reference books cannot be checked out, but users may photocopy needed information from them. Instructors' audiovisual materials may not be checked out to students, but students may view them in the viewing rooms in the Library.

Community Members

Community members are welcome to use Inver Hills Community College Library and may request a library card, which entitles them to the similar borrowing privileges as IHCC students. Individuals can obtain library cards at the circulation desk in the library.

Overdues

Inver Hills Library does not charge fines for overdue materials. If items become overdue, users will receive a notice in the mail, indicating a fine amount. The amount will continue to accrue, yet once the materials are returned in good condition, the fines will be dropped and erased from the user’s library record. If individuals lose or damage materials, they will be expected to pay for the replacement of those lost or damaged items. Inver Hills students who have overdue materials will have a hold placed on their record, preventing them from registering for classes or receiving grades and transcripts. Once materials are returned, the hold will be removed.

Please note that anyone who fails to return library materials will be subject to having MCE (Minnesota Collection Agency) collect the cost of the materials.   Three letters will be mailed before MCE begins the collection process, providing individuals ample opportunity to return the items. Returning the items automatically waives all fees and clears borrowing records.

Computer Use

The library has networked PCs available for searching MnPALS, the online catalog. Students and other library users may also use these machines to search the Internet. However, individuals using MnPALS have first priority over individuals browsing the Internet. Internet browsers will be asked to give up their space if anyone is waiting to use a computer for MnPALS library research. Also, access to email is not available on the library’s PCs, nor are they to be used for word processing. Papers and other assignments can be completed in the Open Computer Lab, which is located adjacent to the library.