Borrow, Renew, Return

Student Use of the PCC Library

Borrow Materials

As a PCC student, your LancerCard ID is your library card. You can use it to check out materials from the library if you are registered in a class for the current term.

Loan Periods

You will be responsible for returning all library materials on time. To check when your items are due, you can call the Circulation Desk at (626) 585-7174 or go online and create a library account.

Library loan periods and overdue fines:

Item Type

Loan Period

Overdue Fines

Maximum Overdue Fine

Books

14 days

$0.25 per day

$13.00

1-24 hour Reserve Material

varies

$1.00 per hour

$60.00

2-14 day Reserve Material

varies

$1.00 per hour

$60.00

Laptops

4 hours

$1.00 per hour

$500.00

Audio cassettes

14 days

$0.25 per day

$13.00

DVDs

3 days

$1.00 per day

$13.00

Periodicals

1 day

$0.25 per day

$13.00

Total Number of Borrowed Items

Students can check out up to 25 items at a time. Of the 25 items, up to 5 magazines, 3 audio/visual items, and 3 Reserve items can be borrowed.

Placing a Hold on an Item

A hold puts you on a waitlist to borrow an item that is checked out by another person. If an item is not checked out, you can still place a hold on it and it will be available for you to check out at the Circulation Desk within one business day.

How do I place a Hold?

You can ask for a hold on an item in person at the Circulation Desk, on the phone by calling (626) 585-7174, or online using the Library Catalog. Items that are placed on hold will be held for you to pick up for seven business days. If you would like to use the online Library Catalog, follow these instructions:

  1. Log in to or create a Library Account.
  2. When you find the item you want in the library catalog, click its title to view full details, then click the “Place a Hold” button.
  3. When the item becomes available, an email will be sent to the email address you have in your LancerPoint account.

Renewing Materials

Students can renew library items in any of the following ways:

  • Call the Circulation Desk: (626) 585-7174.
  • Visit the Circulation Desk in person during open hours.
  • Go to your online library account.

Library materials can be renewed as long as there is not a request from another student.

Course Reserve materials, if allowed for use outside the library, cannot be renewed by phone or online. These materials should be returned to a staff member at the Circulation Desk and can be renewed in person.

All library materials must be returned on the last day of each semester.

Returning Materials

Please return materials inside the library at the Circulation Desk, or drop them in the book drops next to the south entrance of the library.

Overdue and Lost Items

If you borrow materials from the library, you will be responsible for any overdue, lost, or damaged items. You will be charged overdue fines for materials that are returned late. If you reach $10.00 in overdue fines, you will be blocked from borrowing items from the library until you pay your fines.

If the materials or technology you borrow are lost or damaged, you will have to pay the library's replacement cost for the item in addition to a $10.00 processing fee. Please contact the Circulation Desk supervisor at (626) 585-7174 if you have any lost or damaged items.

PCC students: a hold will be placed on your academic record for lost or damaged library items; the hold will be lifted once your library account is cleared.

Reciprocal Borrowing Agreements

As a PCC student, you can borrow materials from Cal State LA (CSULA) and Glendale Community College (GCC) by showing a valid LancerCard and current registration printout.

If you are a CSULA or GCC student, you can borrow circulating materials (with the exception of items on on reserve) from the PCC Library. Please show a valid student ID and current registration printout at the Circulation Desk, where you will receive a public patron card.

Community Use of the PCC Library

The PCC Library invites the community as well as students to use and borrow its books!

Who is eligible?

The Shatford Library at PCC is open to the public. If you wish to use our computers as a guest, please visit the Circulation Desk for assistance. If you wish to check out books and you are a resident of the Pasadena Area Community College District or your primary place of employment is within the district, you can receive a Public Patron Card at no cost. If you don’t live or work in one of the District’s cities, you can pay $25.00 annually for the card. The District’s cities include:

  • Altadena
  • Arcadia
  • El Monte
  • La Cañada
  • Pasadena
  • Rosemead
  • San Marino
  • Sierra Madre
  • South Pasadena
  • Temple City

Get Your Public Patron Card

Visit our Circulation Desk and present the following proof of identification:

1. A current California I.D. or driver's license

2. A second proof of identification (select one of the following):

    • Utility bill (from the most recent month)
    • Current car registration
    • Pay stub (within the last month)
    • Bank statement (from the most recent month)

The address on the second proof of identification must match the address listed on your California I.D. or driver's license.

3. $25.00 cash or check (made out to Shatford Library), if you do not live or work within the Pasadena Area Community College District.

Public Patrons Borrowing Guidelines

Public Patrons have the same borrowing rules as PCC students. See Borrowing Guidelines.

Specific guidelines for public patrons:

  • Yes, we offer computer access for Public Patrons! Get guest access to our walk-up computer stations by visiting the Computer Lab Service Desk on the lower level of the library. (Library computer labs are for currently registered students only.)

  • Public Patrons can use library research databases from on campus. You can use our wireless connection with your own device, or request guest access to a walk-up computer station by visiting the Computer Lab Service Desk (lower level of library).

  • Items that are on Course Reserve are available only to currently registered students.

  • A Public Patron in good standing can borrow up to 10 items at a time; if overdue fines accumulate to $5.00 or more, borrowing privileges are frozen until the fines are paid.

Get More Information

For more information, speak to a Circulation Desk Staff member during our open hours or call (626) 585-7174.

High School Student Use of the PCC Library

The PCC Library invites students of district area high schools to use and borrow its books!

Who is eligible?

Do you attend one of these high schools? If so, you can check out books from the PCC Library! Just visit our library's Circulation Desk and present your high school picture ID for the current school year.

  • Alhambra H.S.
  • Alverno H.S.
  • Arcadia H.S.
  • Arroyo H.S.
  • Blair H.S.
  • Don Bosco Technical Institute
  • Flintridge Preparatory School
  • Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
  • Gabrielino H.S.
  • John Muir H.S.
  • La Cañada H.S.
  • La Salle H.S.
  • Maranantha H.S.
  • Marshall Fundamental School
  • Mayfield Senior School
  • Muir H.S.
  • Options for Youth Public Charter, San Gabriel
  • Pasadena H.S.
  • Polytechnic School
  • Rio Hondo Preparatory School
  • Rose City H.S.
  • Rosemead H.S.
  • Sahag-Mesrob Armenian School
  • Saint Francis H.S.
  • Saint Martin H.S.
  • Saint Monica H.S.
  • San Gabriel H.S.
  • San Marino H.S.
  • Sequoyah H.S.
  • South Pasadena H.S.
  • Temple City H.S.
  • Westridge H.S.

High School Student Borrowing Guidelines

If your library account is in good standing, you can borrow up to 10 items at a time; if overdue fines accumulate to $5.00 or more, we'll freeze your borrowing privileges until the fines are paid. Otherwise, you have the same borrowing rules as PCC students. 

Other information for high school students:

  • Yes, we offer computer access! Get guest access to our walk-up computer stations by visiting the Computer Lab Service Desk on the lower level of the library. (Our computer labs and laptops are for PCC students only.)

  • You are welcome to use our wireless connection with your own device.

  • You can use our research databases from on campus! For help using our resources, stop by the Reference Desk on the main level of the library.

  • Items that are on Course Reserve are available only to PCC students.

Get More Information

For more information, speak to a Circulation Desk Staff member during our open hours or call (626) 585-7174.