College Reserves - Is My Textbook at the Library?

Not ready to buy your books just yet? Students can search online to check out which courses and professors have placed their required textbooks on College Reserves.

If a professor asks, we can put many kinds of items on College Reserve (books, articles, software, and even a skeleton!). Sometimes the library owns the item and sometimes the professor has a copy for the class to share. Most College Reserve items are available for 2 hours of use while in the library.

Faculty! Library Orientations Fall 2009

Sign up now for library orientations for your classes. Good timing for a library orientation depends on the specific course and assignments.

Lots of new college students in your course? They may benefit from a general orientation to help them understand how a college library works. Schedule an orientation for early to mid-semester.

Asking your students for papers or presentations? Schedule an orientation about 3 weeks from the due date...many students find that's when they need the most help and direction.


Schedule an orientation by filling out the library orientation form found on the Faculty Services page.

First Day Back! Welcome Back!

Welcome back to Faculty and Students! Here are a few items to get done this week.

• Get a library card. If you don't already have a PLS library card from any library in San Mateo County, you can apply for a new card at the College of San Mateo Library.


• Get a USB flash drive to save your school work. You can buy them at the campus bookstore - they have 2GB drives for as little as $12.99.


• Check College Reserves for your textbooks. If your instructor has a copy and puts it in College Reserves, you can check it our for use in the library. Check back often -- new reserve items get added as the semester progresses.


• Meet the librarians and library staff! Stop by, email us or chat with us online