| General Questions | Circulation Questions |
| Computer Questions | Library Catalog Questions |
| Special Needs Questions | Miscellaneous Questions |
General Questions
- What are the library hours?
- Where is the library located?
- Who can use the library?
- Where is the Reserve Room?
- Where are the restrooms?
- Which floors are designated "Quiet Floors"?
- Where are the photocopy machines?
- Does the library have color photocopy machines?
- Where can I send a fax?
- Where are the public telephones?
- Where is the lost and found?
- Are there study rooms available?
- Are there other libraries at USC?
- I am a Distance Education Student. What library services are available?
- What other library services are available?
- Who can borrow books from the library?
- How can I get a library card if I'm not affiliated with USC?
- Where do I check out books?
- Where do I return books?
- How do I renew books?
- How many books can I borrow at one time?
- How long can books be checked out?
- Can journals be checked out?
- Can videos be checked out?
- Where do I pay overdue fines? How much will it cost?
- I lost a book. What should I do?
- I received an overdue notice for a book I returned. What should I do?
- Where can I access the Internet?
- Where can I check my e-mail?
- Who can use the Cooper Technology Lounge?
- What services does the lab offer?
- Does the library have scanners?
- Does the library have color printers?
- Who can use the Library Catalog?
- How do I access the Library Catalog?
- How can I get help with My Library Account?
- How do I search the Library Catalog?
- I've found a book in the Library Catalog. Where is it located?
- How do I read this call number?
- The Library Catalog says:
- Item is checked out. How can I get it?
- Item is at the Annex. How can I get it?
- Item is at another USC campus. How can I get it?
- Item is at the Educational Film Library. How can I get it?
- How do I access article indexes and databases?
- What services are available for patrons with disabilities?
- Who should I ask if I need special assistance?
- Are the restrooms wheelchair accessible?
- Where are the magazines?
- Where are the newspapers?
- Where are the microforms?
- Does the library have tax forms?
- Does the library have books on tape?
- Does the library have fun books?
- Does the library have children's books?
- How can I suggest a title for the library to purchase?
- Who do I contact about job opportunities in the library?
Who can use the library? Anyone may use the University Libraries for research or reading. However, you must have a valid library card to check out materials.
Where are the restrooms? Restrooms are located on either side of the elevators on every floor.
Which floors are designated "Quiet Floors"? Quiet study areas are available on level 1, level 2, and level 3. No talking is permitted in these areas.
Does the library have color photocopy machines? There are no color photocopiers in the library. However, the Cooper Technology Lounge does have color scanners.
Where can I send a fax? The Circulation Desk, located on the Main Level, offers photoduplication services including fax service at a cost of $1/page domestic and $6/page international.
Where are the public telephones? An on-campus telephone is located by the Guard's Desk on the Main Level.
Where is the lost and found? Lost and found items are kept in the Circulation Department.
What library services are available? The directory of library services includes resources and services available for the following:
| For Faculty & Staff | For Distance Education Students |
| For Students | For Alumni & Friends |
| For Visitors | All Services |
How can I get a library card if I'm not affiliated with USC?
Former graduates of USC may obtain library borrowing privileges by joining the Alumni Association.
Faculty from other South Carolina colleges and universities may apply for borrowing privileges at the Circulation Desk.
Non-faculty may be extended privileges by joining the Thomas Cooper Society.
For more information, contact the Circulation Department.
Where do I check out books? Books and other circulating library materials may be checked out at the Circulation Desk, located on the Main Level of Thomas Cooper Library.
Library materials may be returned at the following locations (click for a map location):
| Thomson Health Center: | Outside drive-up book drop box, between Health Center (111) and Bull St. Garage (117) at Devine and Bull |
| Thomas Cooper Library: | Outside book drop box,directly in front of Library to the left of Exit Doors |
| Thomas Cooper Library: | Circulation Department, Main Floor |
| Business Library: | 2nd floor, BA Building |
| Math Library: | 3rd floor, LeConte |
| Music Library: | 2nd floor, School of Music (Assembly St. next to Koger Center)- Music library materials must be returned here. |
| Gambrell Hall: | Lobby book drop box |
| Inter-Library Loan: | Return Inter-Library Loan items to either the Circulation Department (Main Floor) or to the Inter-Library Loan Office (5th Floor) Do not put in book drop. |
For more information, contact the Circulation Department.
Can videos be checked out? Videos are available for limited check out from the Educational Film Library. Checkout and viewing policies are available at: http://www.sc.edu/library/edfilms/checkout.html.
Patrons may watch films in the Film Viewing Room, located on Level 3 of the Thomas Cooper Library.
For more information, contact the Circulation Department.
I lost a book. What should I do? Contact the Circulation Department for information.
Where can I access the Internet? The Internet can be accessed for research purposes through the terminals in the Reference area on the Main level of Thomas Cooper Library.
Also, current USC students, staff and faculty are welcome to use the Cooper Technology Lounge on Level 5.
Where can I check my e-mail? Current USC students, staff and faculty are welcome to check e-mail in the Cooper Technology Lounge on Level 5.
Does the library have scanners? Scanners are available in the Cooper Technology Lounge on Level 5.
Who can use the Library Catalog? The online Library Catalog may be used by anyone to search for books and other materials. Certain items may only be checked out by USC students, faculty, or staff.
I've found a book in the Library Catalog. Where is it located? The catalog record indicates the LOCATION and the CALL NUMBER for the book. To find a book located in COLUMBIA COOPER, write down the CALL NUMBER and use the location guide. For more information on locating a book, Ask A Librarian.
How do I access article indexes and databases? Access to the library's electronic resources is available in the library. Many resources are available off campus to students, faculty, and staff with a valid Network Username (Blackboard, Novell, GEM) and password. Please see the instructions for off campus access.
Does the library have color printers? Color printers are available in the Cooper Technology Lounge on Level 5.
What services are available for patrons with disabilities?
Handicapped parking is available on the East side (Russell House side) of the library.
Patrons who are unable to use the main doors can enter the building through the Disabilities Services entrance also located on the East side.
The Center for Adaptive Technology, located in the Cooper Technology Lounge, offers computer resources for visually and auditory impaired patrons.
For more information, contact the Circulation Department.
Who should I ask if I need special assistance?
Ask at the Circulation Desk for any assistance you require.
Are the restrooms wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the restrooms in the library comply with ADA standards for accessibility. For more information, contact the Circulation Department.
Latest issues of some popular magazines are kept in the Reserve Room.
Please consult the Library Catalog for locations of specific periodicals.
For more information, contact the Reference Department.
Latest issues of The State and other major national and international newspapers in print are located on the main level on shelves across from Coopers Corner. Copies on microfilm are on Level 5 in the Government Information Department.
Electronic access to major newspapers may be available through various indexes including Lexis-Nexis Academic.
For more information, contact the Reference Department.
Microforms are kept in the Government Documents Department on Level 5.
Does the library have tax forms?
Current Federal and South Carolina state income tax forms are kept in the Government Documents Department on Level 5.
Does the library have books on tape?
Books on tape and CD are a recent addition to the library's collection. They are shelved in the Browsing section on the Main Level. For more information, please ask at the Reference Desk.
Does the library have fun books?
The Browsing section on the Main Level displays a variety of new fiction and non-fiction books selected for pleasure reading. For more information, please ask at the Reference Desk.
Does the library have children's books?
The Children's Collection, located on Level 1, is a research collection for library and education students. While many patrons do check out these books for their children to read, the collection is not meant to be a children's library.
Please do not leave your children unattended anywhere in the library.
How can I suggest a title for the library to purchase?
eRequest is an online form that can be used to suggest a title for the library collection. Your request will be forwarded to the Collection Development Department and considered for purchase.
Who do I contact about job opportunities in the library?
Online applications are available at www.sc.edu/library/employment