Library

VHCC library staff are excited to connect you to the library resources and services we provide to our students. Should you ever need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out! 

Location

The VHCC Library is located on the bottom level of the Learning Resources Center (LRC) building in LRC 121. The LRC building is a large, two story brick building that houses the Keyser Theater, Testing Center, MARC and IT Help Desk. Access to the library is located between the first floor restrooms and the IT Help Desk. 

Study and Work Spaces

The library is a great place for solo and group study! Check out our space to find the perfect work area to meet your needs. Group study tables are located at the front of the library. Quiet study areas are located in the back of the library and along the perimeter wall. 

Computers and WiFi

There are computers available in the library for public use. If you prefer to bring your personal device, WiFi is available throughout the library.

Explore Our Collection 

Our library has over 20,000 items in its collection, as well as thousands of online resources. To search our resources, both physical and electronic, use the quick search tool, or visit us on campus to browse. Our staff is happy to help you navigate our print and digital collection. 

Borrowing Print Materials

Use your VHCC ID to borrow items from our collection. Most physical items have a loan period of fourteen (14) days. Reference books, periodicals, and reserved items cannot be checked out, but can be used in the library. Our print materials are organized by the Library of Congress Classification scheme. Let our staff know if you need help navigating the collection!

Returning Print Materials

Library materials can be returned 24/7 to the library book drop located at the entrance to the LRC building from the parking lot. You can also return items to the book return at the circulation desk during library hours. Overdue items will not incur fines. However, if books are not returned, they will be considered lost, and you will be responsible for the replacement costs. You can call our staff or fill out the Renew Items form to request an item renewal.

Online Resources

Students, faculty and staff can access our collection of online databases and journals both on and off campus using their myVHCC login. Check out our Virtual Research Center tab to explore our digital resources. 

Computers and WiFi

There are PCs available for public use. If you prefer to bring your personal device, WiFi is available throughout the library.

Print Services

The library has a printer available for student use, black and white prints only. 

Research and Learning Support

Library staff can help you find information or resources for your research or academic goals. Contact us for assistance or use LibraryAnswers to submit a research question. We can provide 1-on-1 research help in-person or via zoom. 

Student ID Cards

The VHCC Library processes requests for student IDs. If you need an ID, fill out the Student ID webform. Library staff will mail you your card once we have processed the request.

Request an ILL

If you need a book or article that is not in our collection, you can request to borrow it from another library through an InterLibrary Loan (ILL). Fill out our ILL form to make your request. Make sure to plan ahead, because it can take up to two weeks to receive an item. Read more about our ILL process in the ILL dropdown menu below.

Library Guides

Our Library Research Guides (or libguides) are crafted to connect you to useful information and resources based on specific subjects and needs.

• Top Guides:
  • Academic Research
  • MARC Tutoring Center
  • Plagiarism Guide

 Articles or Other Research Resources

Use these links below to search our library’s collection of resources and databases. If you need assistance finding a resource for your assignment, please contact us for assistance.

• Databases A to Z (find articles and other e-resources)
• Databases by Subject (find articles and other e-resources)
• Quick Search (find books, audio, video including articles from several popular databases)
• Find E-Journals (browse by journal name) 
• Find Books at VHCC (if we don’t have the book you need, check out our ILL program)

Ask-A-Librarian

You can submit your library or research questions to the LibAnswers "Ask-a-Librarian" page. The Submit a Question form and chat box will link you to library help. When using the Ask-a-Librarian chat service, please note that chat librarians may be with the VCCS or other academic institutions. Not all chat responders are VHCC librarians. If they are unable to assist, follow-up tickets will be sent to VHCC library staff.

• Ask-A-Librarian

Additional Resources

• Mobile Access to VIVA Resources - e-Books, e-Journals and Databases for mobile devices
• Find Videos- Films on Demand
• American History in Video

PrepStep

Students can use PrepStep to access practice tests, tutorials, flashcards, and ebooks on various subjects such as: core math, science, and English skills, college success skills, SAT/ACT prep, and TEAS test prep.

Resources for Nursing Students

• Nursing Reference Center
• CINAHL with Full Text - Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature

This valuable resource provides full text for over 550 of nursing and allied health journals indexed in the CINAHL database, many of which contain no embargo. Nurses, allied health professionals, researchers, nurse educators and students consider this database an essential research tool providing full-text coverage dating back to 1981. (EBSCO)

• Health Source: Nursing / Academic Edition

Provides nearly 550 scholarly full-text journals focusing on many medical disciplines. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition also features the Lexi-PAL Drug Guide, which covers 1,300 generic drug patient education sheets with more than 4,700 brand names. (EBSCOhost)

• OVID - Nursing eBooks

Full-text collection of 15 nursing, pharmacology, and clinical medicine e-books published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

• PrepStep

The VHCC library subscribes to PrepSTEP, an EBSCO product that provides practice tests, tutorials, eBooks, articles, and flashcards to help students build foundational skills for college and careers. This includes preparation tests, games, flashcards eBooks, and more for nursing students:

ATI TEAS

NLN-PAX

Nursing School Entrance Tests and Gui

Human Anatomy and Physiology Practice Questions

Nursing Assistant / Nurse Aide Practice Tests

• Consumer Health Complete

Provides content covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine. This full text database covers topics such as aging, cancer, diabetes, drugs & alcohol, fitness, nutrition & dietetics, children's health, men & women's health, etc. (EBSCOHost)

• Health Source: Consumer Edition

Provides consumer health information on many health topics including the medical sciences, food sciences and nutrition, childcare, sports medicine and general health. Health Source: Consumer Edition provides access to nearly 80 full text, consumer health magazines. (EBSCOhost)

• AHFS Consumer Medication Information

AHFS Consumer Medication Information is a trusted source and recognized standard for patient drug information, available in both English and Spanish, published by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Features: drug information written in lay language for consumers; Spanish version translated by experienced human health and medical translators (not by computer programs); monthly updates; “How To” monographs for administering different types of medications such as eye drops and inhalers; identifies medications that have the potential for adverse events when used by elderly patients. (EBSCO)

Does the VHCC library not carry the book or article you need? No problem! Request books or articles not available in VHCC collections with our ILL Form.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services are available to current students, faculty, and staff of Virginia Highlands Community College. Material availability is dependent on the lending library, and typically takes five (5) days minimum to receive the requested item. Some ILL requests cannot be met by other libraries. 

Our ILL guidelines: 

• You must be a VHCC student, faculty, or staff member to request items through Interlibrary Loan.  Community members are referred to their local public library.
• Requests must be for college-related research
• Borrowers are limited to five (5) ILL titles at one time. Additional requests may not be made until the five items are returned.
• No requests for textbooks or any required texts for a course are permitted.
• If a book is damaged or lost while on loan, the requestor is responsible for the fee charged by the lending library.
• The borrower’s library account must be in good standing to request an ILL.

The VHCC Library hosts events and programs throughout the academic year. Keep an eye out for library event advertisements on the information screens around campus, the Stall street Journal, and event board flyers. You can also ask our staff about upcoming events!

Library Art Gallery

In conjunction with Arts Array, the library space features a rotating art gallery wall to provide a vibrant space for our students and community. The library is dedicated to showcasing the creative talents of our students, community artists, and staff. Throughout the year you can find a variety of artwork that reflects the diverse voices and perspectives of our community. Arts Array hosts occasional artist talks and workshops in the library space, providing unique opportunities to engage with our local artists. 

VHCC Book Club

Do you like talking books? So do we! Ask our library staff about joining the VHCC Book Club and connect with fellow readers.

Therapy Dog Visits

Keep an eye on your student email to be alerted when therapy dogs are visiting our library! In partnership with VHCC Student Services, these therapy dog visits are the perfect way to destress during the day.

Programs and Workshops

The VHCC library hosts all sorts of programs throughout the semester—from black out poetry and pet competitions to instructional tutorials and library card sign ups. Make sure to keep an eye out for what’s going on in the library!

Monday-Thursday: 8am-7pm
Friday: 8am-5pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday

*The library adheres to VHCC campus closures. Sign up to receive closure alerts with VHCC Alert. 

(276) 739-2542  |  VH-Library@vhcc.edu