Real questions and real answers. Listed below are actual questions, some from live chat, some from email. The chat questions have a transcript taken from the Ask-a-Librarian session.

FAQ's Frequently Asked Questions

"If a book is late how much do I owe?" and other exciting questions answered here.

Q1: I can't download two sections of MAT 1105 from the course video page?

A: MAC 1105 sections 4.5 and 5.2 are not available on the Math course download page from the library homepage. They are available for check out from the library for 7 days. We'll have them back online soon!

Q2: How do I log in to databases?

A: When asked for a borrower ID and PIN, your borrower ID is your Student ID number and your PIN is your birthday in the format mmdd. For example, your student id could be gc0456453 and your PIN 1126.

Q3: Why won't the "Renew my books" link work?

A: The My Account and Renew My Books links will not work if you have pop-ups blocked in your browser. To allow pop-ups to display, temporarily allow pop-ups by clicking on tools, then Pop-up Blocker, then allow. Change it back when you are through.

Q4. Borrower ID and PIN

A. When you are using the "MY Account" tool, or when you are accessing eBooks through Net Library you may be asked for your Borrower ID and PIN. When asked for a borrower ID and PIN, your borrower ID is your Student ID number and your PIN is your birthday in the format mmdd. For example, your student id could be gc0456453 and your PIN 1126.

Q5: I need to renew my books for a little longer and when I went to "My Account" it would not let me open it.

When accessing My Account to see the items you have checked out you must use a different login than for the databases. Use your Student ID number and your PIN is your birthday in the format mmdd. For example, your student id could be gc0456453 and your PIN 1126.. Also, when you use the link to My Account from on campus, your pop-up blocker may be turned on. In this case, hold down the ctrl key while you click the link. This will allow this window (pop-up) to open.

Q6. I am not able to log in to the library. I am a new student at GCCC and summer B is my first classes. Can you help me?

It appears that new students are not in our system here at the library yet. However, we'll find a way around that so you're not delayed further. Call us at the library and we'll get you into the system.

Q7. How do I go about renewing my books online?

To renew online, go to our home page then services, then My Account. (see advice above) Enter your Student ID number and your PIN is your birthday in the format mmdd. For example, your student id could be gc0456453 and your PIN 1126. Then you can renew. Or, you can call or email us.

Q8. I am looking for a scholarly journal to use as a source for my research paper. Where can I find one that may include child abductions, kidnapping, missing children, laws for child abductions, child abduction statistics or anything related to this topic?

By using any of your topics as search terms in the Academic Search Premier database, and selecting "scholarly journals" at the beginning of your search, you should find many possibilities for your research. This database is available by clicking on "Find Articles" from the GCCC Library's homepage.

Q9. Hi I am working on a works citied and I need to know how to cite a movie.

Librarian: were you looking for the in-text cite, or for the works cited page?
Student: works cited
Librarian: I assume you are using MLA. Is this correct?
Student: yes
Librarian: In the MLA guide, 5.8.3 gives an example...
Librarian: It's A Wonderful Life. Dir. Frank Capra. Perf. James Stuart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, and Thomas Mitchell. RKO, 1946.
Student: okay
Librarian: To quote from the book, "a film entry usually begins with the title underlined, and includes the director the distributor, and the year of release".
Student: okay thanks
Librarian: You may include other pertinent data, such as the names of the writers or stars.

Q10. Does your library change the number of days or hours it's open during the summer term?

No, other than being closed holidays and between term weekends, we are open normal hours.

Q.11 Do we have Microsoft works available or just word at school I need to know if I need to come in and work on a paper or if I can open what I have done here there?

We have Microsoft Word on all of the computers. The best method for students who use Works at home is to save the file as an rtf (Rich Text Format). To do this, when you save your document in Works, at the bottom of the save dialog box choose rtf before you click on save. With the file saved as an rtf you will be able to open it on the computers here at the library and your computer at home. If you have difficulties, we do have one computer at the library that has Works and we can walk you through how best to save it. Just see a librarian.

Q12. I have requested an article through ILL and found out I don't need it. How do I cancel the request?

You can call the library at 872-3893 and ask for the Interlibrary Loan department and cancel your order there.

Q13. I am a student at Florida State University. Can I access your databases for research purposes?

Yes, FSU-PC students have access to GCCC databases. However, you'll need to come in person to the library to complete an application the first time (bring a photo ID).

Q14. Do you have copies of the New York Times? Working on a research paper and found a partial article...below is what I am looking for. I need the whole article...thanks. [title of article removed from session].

You can access these articles through our New York Times database in full text.

Q15. What does non-circulating mean?

Student what is non circulating material, does that mean I can't check it out?
Librarian Yes, you can get it here in the library and make copies of the pages, but you can't check it out.
Student thank you for answering my question

Q16. I'm doing a argumentative research paper for ENC 1102. Please help me find sources/information regarding Alcoholism as a moral issue. I already have info on it being considered a disease. Thanks!

You'd probably like to try your search for articles in the Opposing Viewpoints database. In the list of topics there, alcoholism is listed. In the search box at the top of the screen you can also type in alcoholism and moral and get a couple of hits, or type alcoholism and morality and get a couple of articles as well.
I also did a similar search in the "Omni File Full-text Mega" database, and retrieved some possibilities.

Q17. Where do I go to to get help on my math for something that I don't get or understand.

Student: Where do I go to to get help on my math for something that I don't get or understand.
Librarian: The success center is set up to help you with that.
Librarian: Do you want their phone number, or location?
Student: is it on the main screen.
Librarian: No. Hold on a sec. let me look...
Student: I was trying to do some items on the computer to test myself.
Librarian: [sends] http://dept.gulfcoast.edu/success/ do you see the page? 
Student: Yes I do thanks.

Q18. What is the address at Gulf Coast?

5230 W. U.S. Highway 98
Panama City, FL 32401-1058

Q19. I am a distance education student. Does the library have an 800 number?

Yes, we do. That number is 1-800-311-3685, extension 5805.

Q20. I am trying to find something that Mrs. Woolson reserved on the library web site. How do I find it?

To find items that a faculty member has placed on reserve and they told you it was online at the library, then go to the home page of the library, click on eReserves. This will take you to the eReserve screen. If you are on campus you have immediate access. If you are off of campus you will need to log in to view the materials.

Q21. I have requested a book on the Internet...

Student: If I have requested a book on the internet, how long does it take for you to pull it from the shelf?
Librarian: When you requested the book, was it available or checked out with a due date instead?
Student: available
Librarian: OK, we run that report every morning, and the requested books are pulled then. Did you request it today?
Student: yes, so in other words if I want it today I need to come find it?
Librarian:  I'll grab it for you and put it at the check out desk.
Librarian:  Title, author, etc.?
Student: Also what if it talks about FSU does that mean it is available here or across the street
Librarian:  At GCCC library - their collection and ours are merged.
Student: HD8072.A687 by Aranowitz False Promises,
Student: La210.w33 1972 by Warner, Who shall be educated
Student: and HN57.K3 by Kahl American class structure
Librarian:  OK, I'll get them. If for some reason they're not on the shelf, would you give me a phone number or email address so I can notify you?
Student: The nitty gritty parts I wrote down at least. Thank you for your help
Student: [phone number removed]
Librarian:  OK, thanks.

Q22. How can I do a search on the net and get only .gov .edu and .org sites?

Librarian: Hello. hold on a sec while I read your question...
Student: How can I do a search on the net and get only .gov .edu and .org sites?
Librarian:Go to Google.com and click on advanced search
Librarian: when the window opens up type in .edu in the domain box.
Student: I get it thanks

Q23. I need to find a full text American Nursing Journal articles relating to a client's Self-Concept and the Nursing Process involved in the care of the client. Articles must be not more than 5 years old. Will you please help me? This is a class project...

If the journal you refer to is the American Journal of Nursing, I have located 5 articles dated 1999-2003 which we have in print here at the GCCC Library. They are not available in full text from our journal databases however, so you'll need to come here to look them over to see if they will work for your project. If that's not possible, let me know and we'll see about getting copies of the appropriate articles to you. I found no mention of Erickson in the Am. Journal of Nursing, though. These I found deal with the keyword "self concept". If you were not limited to the Am. J. of Nursing, I'm sure we could locate some info about Erickson's model.

Q24. Do you have Dissertation Abstracts, I have a paper to write and I need a citation.

Yes, we have Dissertation Abstracts through the FirstSearch database. It is not listed with the databases. I'll explain how to access it. Go to our book catalog. At the top of the catalog you will see an icon for LinccWeb. Click that icon. You will then get a screen that will list different resources. Click on the first item, Search Databases. You will be prompted for an ID and Password. First, choose Gulf Coast from the drop down menu. enter your Student ID number and your PIN (your birthday in the format mmdd). For example, your student id could be gc0456453 and your PIN 1126. When the login is accepted, chose 'Alphabetical' to sort the databases. Dissertation Abstracts is found there.

Q25. I don't know where my classes are located. I don't have a spring semester catalog to tell me where they are and I can't find where to get them on the website, do you know where about I can get one before Thursday?

The catalog is located on the web. It's under "Class Schedules" on the main page.

Q26. Do you have a microfiche reader printer available for use by patrons?

Yes, we have a microform reader (reads film & fiche). It is available for use by library patrons, and they print their documents from it as well. There is no charge for students for printing. You can also save your documents on a flash drive, CD, or Floppy disk.

Q27. how much does it cost a day for a over due library book. I have had a book overdue for only a month and I have a $50 charge is that for the book or the overdue charges?

Overdue fines are 25 cents per day per item, and at this time your account shows you owe $7.75 if the book is returned today. The $50.00 charge is the replacement cost for the book if it is not returned. That will be credited if the book is returned.
There is a book drop at the front door and another in the parking lot behind the Library. Feel free to use those if you'd like, and you'll not incur further fines; you'll be credited with a return on today's date.

Q28. How can I check the final grades for the semester?

Go to the GCCC homepage, click on Web Registration on the right side of the screen. From the next page, scroll down to the bottom, and click on the red link for registration and grades.

Q29. How many times am I allowed to renew a borrowed book? If it is more than once, can I do it through the Internet and how?

Unfortunately, one renewal is the maximum. You may bring the book back in, have it checked in, and if there's not a request from someone else for it, you may check it out again.

Q30. When is book buy back?

Go to the Bookstore website at http://bookstore.gulfcoast.edu and check the dates there.

Q31. I attended GCCC in the late eighties and early nineties and according to records I still have a library book. I need to know how I can clear this up so that I can enroll.

Yes, your library account shows 2 books were never returned. Also there's a $10.00 late fine on another book May 2001. The total owed for the 2 lost books and the overdue fine comes to $98.75. You may make a payment arrangement to pay this off in a regular manner. Unfortunately, a hold will remain on your record until the fines are paid in full. You won't be able to receive your transcript or forward any records until your record reflects a zero balance.
If you'd come by the library Circulation Desk, the circulation librarian can help you. Evenings and weekends any librarian on duty can get the paperwork completed with you.

Q32. MLA Block Quote question

Librarian:  Hello. Welcome to Ask a Librarian! Please wait a moment while I read your question...
Student:  MLA question?
Librarian:  Sure. What do you want to know?
Student:  Can you tell me what the proper way of writing more the 3 lines of quoted text in a MLA style paper?
Librarian:  Okay. You will need to indent the entire quote. I'm going to run grab the book and walk you through step by step...
Librarian:  hold on a sec...
Librarian:  If a quotation runs more than 4 lines in your text you need to set it off from your text by beginning a new line, indenting one inch from the left margin...
Librarian:  A colon usually introduces a quotation like this (:)...
Student:  the quotes runs 4 lines do i still need to do this?
Librarian:  No. It says if it runs MORE than 4 lines.
Librarian:  4 or less you're okay.
Student:  ok cool, sorry you had to run and get the book
Librarian:  I needed the exercise.
Student:  lol
Librarian:  Thanks for the question.
Student:  thanks for the help

Q33. I have a strange question which probably should be obvious but it's not. When writing a term paper, in the introductory paragraph, should there be citations? Thanks so much for taking the time to review and respond.

Not being an English instructor, I 'd rather you contact your teacher with that question. My advice would be that if you quote anyone ANYWHERE in the paper, then you should  always cite that quote. Now, whether citations are appropriate in initial paragraphs of research papers, is a matter your professor might address.

Q34. I am an instructor at GCCC and a student at FSU. I have located two books at FCCJ that I would like to borrow. I've selected, added to cart, but cannot figure out how to request. I have an FSU card with a library # on it.

Once you have the title and author of a book and established that Gulf Coast does not own that item, we can borrow the book for you through Interlibrary Loan. Go to the ILL page at http://library.gulfcoast.edu/ill.html, select books, then enter your data in the form. We will request the book and give you a call as soon as it comes in, usually around 5 days. This service is (most all of the time) free, and is available to students, faculty, and staff of Gulf Coast.