A variety of student and instructor support services are available at all four libraries in the Northwest Region. Whether it is locating books, journals, videos or DVDs, using library online information sources on the Web, or needing a place to study and learn from others, today’s Ivy Tech libraries give students and faculty reasons to visit the library.

Shelf collections of hard copy books and journals form a visible part of the library’s foundation tailored around the general education, technical, and liberal arts programs specific to each campus. Materials are identified via IvyCat, the library’s card catalog viewable through the Virtual Library website. Checkout periods for most circulating materials are three days for journals to two weeks for books, with renewals available. Materials from other libraries can be requested via our Interlibrary Loan service.

Online information sources, including IvyCat, are located on the statewide Ivy Tech Virtual Library. Here can be found library-funded subscriptions to numerous organized online collections – literally thousands of electronic journals, electronic books (e-books) and reference sources - from which quality articles can be printed out. Remote access to these online resources is via Campus Connect for any current student, faculty or staff. The four Northwest Region campus libraries have the Virtual Library located at this link:

http://www.ivytech.edu/library/gary

Computer workstations and wireless access for personal laptops are available in each library. The Internet-connected computers are scholar workstations useful for both library research and homework purposes. A library computer lab setting also acts as a place for information literacy class sessions where library staff teaches the use of online resources.

Videos or DVDS and audio-visual equipment such as TV-VCRs and digital projectors are available to instructors to check out for use in their classroom. Small TV-VCRs are kept in each library for students to view additional instructional videos that support their course of study. Videos are generally restricted to classroom use or in-library use only.

Group study areas are available in each library whether there be open seating areas or small group rooms. In some of the Region 01 libraries is this special student service - Tutoring centers where peer tutors can provide assistance to help students do better in their classes. At other campus locations the tutoring service is available in a nearby area.

Identification Cards are made in each library for students upon showing proof of registration. Faculty and staff identification cards are also initiated at the branch campus libraries. Good for up to one year, a person’s I.D. card acts as a library card for checking out materials, for using the computer labs, for taking tests, as well as for security reasons.

Other special services, collections or equipment are available as locally offered. Some libraries do COMPASS exam testing, make-up testing, while others have a tutoring service. All have special collections of Careers materials, and some have a popular book leasing service or a leisure reading collection. Between classes try out the new board games now available for relaxation and stimulation. Check out what your library has!