Welcome to the Elgin Community College Distance Learner's Library

The Renner Library at Elgin Community College provides many electronic resources and services that can be used by Distance Learning students to support course assignments and research projects.  We subscribe to many online databases and electronic reference materials and provide online library research help. 

 

 

Contact the Library Staff

Elgin Community College students enrolled in Distance Learning courses, like all students, are welcome to make use of the information and reference assistance of the ECC Renner Library, either:

• in person:    1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, 2nd floor SRC Building
• by phone:     847 214-7354
• website:       library.elgin.edu
• email:           libref@elgin.edu
• IM:               eccreference
• myspace:     myspace.com/ecclibrary

 

 

Get Your ECC Library Card or Barcode

Why should I get a library card/barcode? 

• borrow library materials from the ECC Renner Library or through Interlibrary Loan
• access library databases from off-campus computers

How do I get a library card/barcode?

• Come to the library and bring ID with your current address and you will be given a card with a barcode attached
• OR  Email the library circulation desk with the following information and you will be sent a reply email with your barcode information.

1. Name
2. Address
3. Telephone (home, work, & cell)
4. Social Security Number (optional)
5. ECC Student ID Number

In either case, the barcode is valid for the current semester and must be renewed each subsequent semester.  This can be done in the library or by email.

 

 

Use the ECC Library Catalog and Other Library Catalogs

• Use the ECC Library Catalog to look for books and other ECC materials
• Other libraries in our area may have materials you need.  Please contact individual libraries for their loan policies.
• WorldCat is an online catalog of library materials worldwide, and may be a useful tool for Distance Learners.

 

 

Use Interlibrary Loan

• If there are materials in the ECC Library that you would like to use, and you cannot visit the ECC campus, contact your local library.  They may be able to borrow the items from the ECC library through their interlibrary loan system
•  Use ECC's Interlibrary Loan system if  you do visit the ECC campus and need to use materials that are not in the ECC library.

 

 

Use Electronic Reference Tools

• Go to the Off-Campus link
• Enter your library barcode and your last name
• Select resources such as

1. Encyclopedia Britannica
2. Grove Dictionary of Art

• Here are some reference tools on the Internet

 

 

 

Find Articles Online

• Go to the Off-Campus link
• Enter your library barcode and your last name
• Select online databases of journal, magazine, and newspaper articles (some are general and others are subject-specific)

   

 

Use Class Research Guides

 

Check the Online Library Introduction for Distance Learning.

Look at the other ECC library Research Guides to see if there is a research guide for your class.

 

 

Use and Evaluate Internet Resources

Find help searching for and evaluating Internet sources.

 

 

Citing Sources

Use these online style guides for help creating a works cited page or bibliography in MLA, APA or other styles. 

Use NoodleTools online bibliography software.  Sign in for off campus access.

Try The Citation Machine.

 

 

 

Need help with your research?  Ask a Librarian!

 

email libref@elgin.edu

call 847-214-7354

IM screen name: eccreference