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Highlands Campus Library

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where are the libraries located?
A:
Highlands Campus
Map | Directions
Learning Resources Center
Building Y
600 West College Drive
Avon Park, Florida 33825-9356
Phone: 863-784-7306		 DeSoto Campus
Map | Directions
Room 102
2251 N.E. Turner Avenue
Arcadia, Florida 34266
Phone: 863-993-1757
Hardee Campus
Map | Directions
Room 102
2968 U.S. 17 North
Bowling Green, Florida 33834
Phone: 863-773-3081		 Lake Placid Center
Map | Directions
Room 116
500 East Interlake Boulevard
Lake Placid, Florida 33852
Phone: 863-465-3003
Q: When are the libraries open?
A:

Hours of Operation

Highlands Campus
Building Y, Second Floor
600 West College Drive
Avon Park, FL 33825   		 May 7 - June 14
Monday-Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday-Sunday:		 7:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed
June 15 - July 31
Monday-Thursday:
Friday-Sunday:		 7:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Closed
August 1 - 16
Monday-Friday:
Saturday-Sunday:		 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed
DeSoto Campus
Room 102
2251 NE Turner Ave.
Arcadia, FL 34266		 Monday-Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday-Sunday:		  8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
 Closed
Hardee Campus
Room 102
2968 US 17 North
Bowling Green, FL 33834		 Monday-Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday-Sunday:		  8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
 Closed
Lake Placid Center
Room 116
500 Interlake Blvd.
Lake Placid, FL 33852		 Monday-Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday-Sunday:		  8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
 Closed
Q: Which materials and services are available at DeSoto, Hardee, and Lake Placid?
A: Print reference and circulating books, journals, and audio-visual items are available. Computers provide access to the library catalog, databases, and Internet. Campus staff assists with circulation. Students may call the Highlands Campus reference desk for reference assistance.
Q: How do I contact someone at the Highlands Campus Library?
A: Call:
863-784-7306 (Library/Circulation)
863-784-7304 (Library/Reference)

...or e-mail SFSC_Library@southflorida.edu
Q: How does an SFSC student or employee get a library card?
A: For students in the SFSC Division of Arts and Sciences and for SFSC employees, the college photo ID card serves as a library card. Obtain your ID card in the Building B Welcome Center or in the front office of the DeSoto or Hardee Campus or the Lake Placid Center.

We also provide free library cards to students enrolled in:

  • SFSC Division of Applied Sciences and Technologies programs
  • SFSC/high school dual-enrollment
  • SFSC Career Academy
  • SFSC Adult Education (ABE; ESOL; GED preparation)
  • Students in these programs should bring a picture ID (high school ID for dual-enrolled and Career Academy) to the Highlands Campus Library circulation desk or the front office in DeSoto, Hardee, and Lake Placid to obtain an SFSC library card.
Q: How does a community member get an SFSC Library card?
A: A community member, age 16 or older, may borrow from SFSC libraries. We have a reciprocal borrowing agreement with the Heartland Library Cooperative (HLC); HLC cardholders may present their HLC cards to our circulation desk to have SFSC borrower accounts established at no charge.

A community member with no HLC card may purchase an SFSC Library card at the Highlands Campus cashier's office or in the front office of the DeSoto or Hardee Campus or the Lake Placid Center. The card fee is $5 for five years. On the Highlands Campus, bring payment receipt to the Library circulation desk to pick up your card. A library card is required for borrowing materials from any SFSC library and for using computers in the Highlands Campus Library. 

We issue free library cards to high school juniors and seniors, 16 and older, who are not dual-enrolled. Pick up a card application at he Library circulation desk; return the application with a parent's or guardian's signature.

You are responsible for anything checked out on your library card. If you lose your card, contact us immediately so we can halt the card's use.
Q: What are my Borrower ID and PIN?
A: Your Borrower ID is your library card number.  If you have an SFSC photo ID card, your library card number is on the back of the ID card; it begins with the digits 25701. If you have a white library card that yo obtained at the SFSC Library, your number appears on that card; it also begins with the digits 25701. If you use a Heartland Library Cooperative card, your SFSC library card number is the same as your HLC number.

Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is either the last four digits of your library card number or the last four digits of your Social Security number, depending on when your library account was set up. Try the last digits of your library card number first; if you get an "invalid" message, try the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you want to change your PIN, call the circulation desk (Highlands Campus) or the front office in DeSoto, Hardee, or Lake Placid; a staff member can make the change in your account.
Q: How many books may I check out?
A: SFSC students (including dual-enrolled): 20 items for 30 days.
  Faculty and adjunct faculty: 50 items for the term.
  Full-time and part-time staff: 20 items for 30 days.
  Career Academy students: 5 items for 14 days.
  Community borrowers (adults): 5 items for 14 days.
  High school juniors and seniors (not dual enrolled): 5 items for 14 days
Q: May I check out DVDs or videotapes?
A: Yes. Most audio-visual materials are allowed to circulate for seven days. You may check out two audio-visual items at a time.
Q: Can I get into my Library account to see what I have out, renew books, etc.?
A: Yes. A link to the My Account login page is in the center of the library home page on the SFSC website. Click the My Account tab.

You can also get into My Account while you are searching the Library catalog:

  • From any catalog page, click Log In.
  • Enter your library card number and library PIN; click Log on.
  • Click My Account on the upper left of the next page. 
Q: How much will I be charged for a late book?
A: The late fee is 25 cents a day per book and $1 a day per audio-visual item.
Q: I forgot my library card. Can I still use the library resources?
A: You may still use materials in the library, but you will need your library card to use a computer, check out materials or use materials on reserve.
Q: Where is the card catalog?
A: The traditional card catalog has long been replaced by an electronic online database. You can access this online catalog on the Library's website home page, http://www.southflorida.edu/student/resources/library/, using any computer with Internet access. You can do a basic search from the opening page and you can limit your search to books, audio/visual items, or ebooks. A link to Advanced Search is provided; advanced searching permits more specific queries.
Q: May I order a book from another library?
A: Yes. With a valid SFSC library card, students, faculty and staff may borrow books and other materials from other libraries through interlibrary loan. You can request books from other Florida state/community colleges by clicking the "Request" link in the SFSC Library catalog. To request books from libraries other than state colleges, see the interlibrary loan specialist at the Highlands Campus Library. Plan ahead; allow at least a week for requested materials to arrive.

Community borrowers should use their local public libraries for interlibrary loan services.
Q: May I return my book from another library to SFSC's library?
A: Yes. Students, faculty, and staff may use the services of the Florida Distance Learning Library Initiative (DLLI) by returning books for other Florida libraries to any SFSC library.
Q: I need to find information for a research paper. Where do I start?
A: Speak with a reference staff member at the Highlands Campus library. We can assist with source selection and evaluation and with research paper formatting. We have lists of library databases and websites that provide reliable information.
Q: Are there computers for my use in the Libraries?
A: Computers are available in the Highlands, DeSoto, and Hardee campus libraries, and in a computer lab adjoining the Lake Placid Center library. The Highlands Campus library computers may be used by students, staff, and community library patrons. At the other campuses/center, the computers in the libraries are for students only. Each campus/center has two computers set up in the lobby for community use.
Q: May I use the Internet? May I check my e-mail?
A: Yes; please abide by the Learning Resources Center and Campus/Center Libraries Computer Use Guidelines. You may visit online sites and check your e-mail. For those enrolled in distance learning classes, e-mail is essential. Copies of our user guidelines are posted at each of our libraries.
Q: Can I use my own computer or flash drive in the Library?
A: Yes. The SFSC libraries have wireless connections, so you can go online using your mobile computer; however, you will not be able to connect to a printer. It is recommended that you bring a flash drive to save your files.
Q: Can I access and print research information from online sources?
A: Yes, in addition to using the Internet, library patrons, including community patrons not affiliated with SFSC, may use our subscription databases while in the Highlands Campus library. Students may do so at the DeSoto and Hardee Campus libraries and in the computer lab adjacent to the Lake Placid Center library. We subscribe to databases covering a wide variety of subjects. The contents may be saved, e-mailed, or printed.
Q: What is the charge for printing?
A: 5 cents per page (black ink only).
Q: Is computer usage limited?
A: The Highlands Campus library computers are available to everyone, but students get priority when all workstations are in use. If others are waiting, the time limit is one hour.
Q: Is the Learning Resources Center (LRC) accessible to students with disabilities?
A: Yes. Students with specific disabilities may request accommodations and services such as large print or other forms of assistive technology. Students should first contact the disabilities specialist, located in the Counseling and Advising Center, prior to visiting the library, to determine the appropriate accommodations that are needed. For information on special accommodations at the DeSoto and Hardee campuses and the Lake Placid Center, contact the SFSC disabilities specialist in the Counseling and Advising Center at 863-784-7131.
Library
South Florida State College
600 West College Drive
Avon Park, FL 33825		 To contact us:
Phone: 863-784-7306
863-993-1757
863-773-3981
863-465-3003
Fax: 863-452-6042