Frequently Asked Questions

You can find out if the library owns a book by checking our discovery system. Once you find the book you are looking for, you need to write down the call number and location of the book. This information will help you locate the book. Most circulating books are located on the second floor of the library. The library map (PDF) can help you find where the book is located.

All online material can be viewed from home by logging in with your COAST username and password. Please go to the Instructions page for further information.

You can search for a title using the periodical title search in our discovery system. On this page, you can find out whether we have the title in print or online.

Peer-review is an editing process used by most academic journals. In peer-review, a group of professors or experts in the field review an article before it's published to make sure it follows discipline standards and norms. You can find peer-reviewed articles in the library's online databases. Many databases have an option to search for only peer-reviewed sources. The method varies by database, so you may need to consult the database's Help section or a librarian.

You can call the Reference Librarian at 714-432-5900 whenever the library is open. You can also submit a question by email​. We also have online videos to teach you how to research.

There are two return bins located at the Circulation and Media Desks. There are two exterior return bins located near the front entrance of the building and in Parking Lot E. Please return materials to the Circulation or Media Desks if you want to check out additional materials that day.

Items may be renewed at the Circulation Desk in the library, by phone during library business hours (714-432-5885 X26062) or by logging into your library account by signing into our discovery system. Voicemail renewals will not be accepted.

Most materials may be renewed one time, if there are no holds on the item. The item must be renewed before or on the due date. Overdue items may not be renewed. The overdue item must be returned and any fines must be paid. It can be checked out again after 24 hours. Circulating reserves or media materials can't be renewed.

Please see our Policies page for complete information on paying fines.

Please see our Policies page for complete information on placing holds.

Yes. When you log into the discovery system, you will see your name on the top right of the window. Click that link to access your "library card." On that screen you can view your loans and renew some or all of them.

A student's library card is his or her OCC photo ID card. Please go to Watson Hall to get this card. OCC and Cal-West Consortium faculty and staff can obtain an OCC library card by presenting a photo ID and proof of employment.

All other patrons need to get a community member application (available at the Circulation Desk), fill it out, and return it to the Circulation Desk. Community members at least 18 years of age or OCC alumni who wish to have a library card must pay a fee of $20 a year. Current members of the OCC Friends of the Library can get a library card for no extra charge. A library card allows these groups to check out circulating materials. A library card does not entitle the bearer to computer lab privileges. Please see Circulation staff for further details.

Maybe. The library purchases many textbooks, funded by the OCC Foundation, with a generous bequest from a former OCC faculty member, Shirley Brooke. Textbooks and course reserves are available at the Circulation Desk. These items are for in-library use only. Reserve materials that are removed from the facility are immediately subject to fines and replacement costs.

An OCC student photo ID is required to check out reserve items. You must know the call number of the item you want to check out. Easy instructions for locating available textbooks are on th home page of our discovery system. Reserves are restricted to current OCC students and faculty only. For more information, please check our Policy page.

The library's hours vary depending on the semester and current levels of funding. The library is closed during all school holidays, including breaks between semesters. Current hours can be found on the Hours and Location page.

The library offers a variety of places for students to study in the library, including open areas, lounge areas, and individual carrels, as well as group study rooms, and a large open study area. The quietest areas are on the second floor. Group discussion should take place in either the group study rooms or the open study room. For more information about the group study rooms, check our Policy page.

The study carrels and tables on the first and second floors have power outlets to charge laptops and other portable devices.

Yes. The copier is located on the first floor, next to the ESL Collection ( View PDF Map). There is a flat-bed scanner in the lab for student use. The library also has a book scanner close to the copiers. This scanner requires a USB/thumb drive for saving your document. All machines are first-come, first-served

The login for lab computers is your MyCoast/Canvas username and password. This login is also used to access the Coast-WiFi-Student wireless network and your GoPrint account to pay for print jobs.

Only OCC students, faculty and staff may use the lab computers in the library. All library patrons can access the Coast-WiFi-Guest wireless network with their personal device. If you are having technical issues with the wireless, go to the IT department's wireless page.

Yes. You can use the lab computers to access all MyCoast functions, and additional computers are available near the reference desk.

The library computer lab has a limited number of Macs for student use. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To print from the lab computers, you must first log in. Next, you need to pull up your document and select the print option. A new window will pop up with a login screen to GoPrint. You will login with the same username and password as you used to login to the computer. Follow the instructions on the screen to pay for your print job. Once payment is complete, the print job is sent to a printer against the wall.  Please pick up your print job promptly to avoid it being accidentally taken by another student.

Money can be added to your GoPrint account at the machine located in the computer lab. This machine takes cash only. There are no refunds of existing balances if you are no longer a student at OCC, so please only add the amount of money you intend to use. 

Group study rooms are available to current OCC students for 3 hours of use at a time. Students may sign up for a study room at the Circulation Desk. Space is limited so reserving a room is highly recommended. Reservations can be made in person up to 30 days in advance. Reservations are held for 15 minutes. A student photo ID from one member of the group is required to use a room. You must have at least two students present to use the group study rooms. Groups need to check out of their room 30 minutes prior to closing. No food is allowed in the study rooms. All study rooms are equipped with computers. Please see the Policies page for complete information.

Patrons who are talking on a cell phone or wireless device may be asked to take their call outside. Please silence your cell phone while you are in the building.

Yes, under certain conditions, with permission from the Library Dean. Please read our filming policies for more information.

Drinks are allowed in the open study areas; however, food is not permitted in the library. Food is not allowed in the computer lab, lecture lab, group study rooms, archives, or media viewing areas. Patrons caught with food in these areas are subject to loss of privileges.

Spill kits are available at the Reference Desk, Circulation Desk, and Media Desk. If you spill your drink in the library, please go to one of these desks and ask for a kit.

You will need to visit the OCC bookstore to purchase your textbooks.