The Library Learning Commons (LLC) values, respects, and celebrates a diverse community of LWTech students, staff, and faculty. We offer collections, resources, and services which encourage exploration and discovery in order to prepare lifelong learners for today’s careers and tomorrow’s opportunities. We aim to provide library materials to support the programs and disciplines of our school, as well as provide cultural representation of our student body.
View the full mission and vision statement on the LLC homepage.
Borrowing privileges are available to the LWTech community, specifically:
Non-LWTech community members may use print books and magazines while in the library only. They may use DVDs and headphones while in the library by leaving a photo ID with the Circulation Desk. A $1 printing credit may be obtained for free from the Circulation Desk.
Computer stations may be used by anyone in the library as long as the user:
For more details on the library's collections and loan periods, see Our Collections.
Alternate loan periods can be arranged between librarians and faculty/staff for the following items:
All library items can be renewed in person or online one time. Please note that all items are due on the last day of each quarter and cannot be renewed beyond this date without talking to library staff. We do not allow renewals over the phone.
Laptop, DVD, and equipment policies must be signed by all patrons before initial checkout of these material types. Physical copies of the policies are available at the information desk.
As of Spring 2021, the library has removed overdue/late fines and fees. Damaged and lost policies are still in place (as described in Section 4, below).
The following policies pertain to students, faculty, and staff.
The LWTech LLC reserves the right to assess items for damage upon their return.
If equipment (other than DVDs) is damaged, the patron can only pay the full replacement cost of the item plus a $5 processing fee. It is the responsibility of the student checking the item out to call attention to any previous damage to the item prior to the current checkout. Previous damage will be noted by a staff member.
If a patron has lost a book or other item, they are responsible for informing the Library of this fact. If a book or DVD is lost, the patron must either:
If equipment is lost, the patron can only pay the full replacement cost of the item plus a $5 processing fee. Failure to inform the Library of an item’s loss could result in a hold being placed on a student’s record and possible collection fees.
In support of intellectual freedom, the LLC respects and values the privacy of all library patrons. Therefore, the LLC seeks to reduce the amount of personally-identifiable information collected and only retains information relevant to library operations. Local safeguards, as well as federal and state policies, are in place to protect this personal information and library records. Any requests for such personal information or records must be made in writing and should be submitted to the librarians. Please contact Greg Bem (greg.bem@lwtech.edu) or Sue Wozniak (sue.wozniak@lwtech.edu) for help.
Use of the LLC is consistent with LWTech Employee Ethical Conduct policy and Student Conduct Code. Patrons are responsible for their behavior and are expected to comply with campus rules and regulations, to use good judgment, common sense, and be considerate of others. Any individual violating this code or college policies may be denied use of the Library or its services. Further actions involving students will follow the procedures noted in the Student Handbook.
The primary goal of the LLC collection is to support the educational efforts of students, faculty, and staff at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. The collection will emphasize library resources which directly relate to the classes being offered. The purpose of this procedure is to guide the Library’s collection building efforts and improve the Library’s ability to assist the students, faculty, and staff of LWTech.
Section II of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights states that “Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be prescribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” The LLC will support this statement by making every effort to collect materials that cover opposing viewpoints on various topics.
If any Lake Washington Institute of Technology student, faculty, or staff member has a complaint regarding the LLC's materials, they can request a meeting with the librarians (library@lwtech.edu) to discuss the issue(s).
As a college devoted to providing the highest level of instruction by its faculty and education for its students, LWTech respects the rights of content creators and facilitates compliance with the provisions of the United States Copyright Law (Title 17, United States Code, Sect. 101 et. seq). LWTech recognizes the Copyright Act of 1976, including the Fair Use doctrine (Section 107) and subsequent amendments including the TEACH Act, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, and Guidelines for Off-the-Air Recording of Broadcast Programming for Education Purposes.
Specifically, the LWTech LLC:
The use of copyrighted material is allowable in each of the following instances:
The LLC receives funding from the college to purchase or provide access to new print and electronic materials. No specific budget is allocated for individual disciplines. The Lake Washington College Foundation has provided support for specific library material collections, included the Indigenous People’s Collection, laptop computers, and an international collection to represent the diversity of ethnicities and countries of origin of our student population.
The LLC encourages all users to contact the Faculty Librarians to request any items that they feel will add value to the collection. The item(s) will be acquired if three criteria are met:
Ultimate responsibility for collection development lies with the Faculty Librarians.
Selection of LLC materials rests with the teaching faculty and Faculty Librarians.
In general, single copies of books are purchased. If a topic is very popular, the library will consider purchasing multiple copies.
Textbooks are not normally purchased by the library. They will be purchased only when they provide a good, general introduction to a topic or when no other general books can be found. Textbooks for specific courses will not be purchased. Professors may place their own textbook copies on reserve for students’ use if they wish.
Electronic Resources are defined as any material requiring a computer or digital device for access. The LLC shall choose to acquire, or access electronic resources based on the above selection guidelines. The Faculty Librarians strive to purchase multi-user licenses for digital format resources when available.
DVDs and Blu-Rays will be purchased on a continual basis as a part of our regular materials acquisition. DVDs will be purchased upon the request of a faculty member if the video meets the guidelines established in this policy. DVDs and Blu-Rays can often be costly, so the LLC reserves the right to forgo the purchase of a requested DVD or Blu-Ray or set if the item(s) is judged to be too costly.
The LLC includes an archive, which is used to store high-value technology items and historic documents related to the library and college. Visit the Archive page for details about this collection and to learn how to submit materials to the library for inclusion.
Items written in languages other than English will be acquired when they support Foreign Language/ESL curriculum requirements.
Annually, Faculty Librarians will evaluate the collection to identify materials for withdrawal. The same guidelines apply to the existing collection as to new purchases, and materials that no longer meet the collection policy will be removed. For example, materials that are outdated, damaged, seldom circulated, or contain inaccurate information will be removed. Faculty members will be consulted when materials in their disciplines are being considered for withdrawal.
Items may be placed on reserve in the LLC by faculty and staff. A Reserve Request Form is available at the Information Desk. Duration for reserve item varies and is at the discretion of the faculty.
Interlibrary loan services are available from the LWTech LLC. WorldCat is an online catalog service providing information about other libraries’ holdings and is available via the LLC's website. This service is for faculty, staff, and students who may need books or articles that are not available within the LWTech LLC.
There is a minimum delay time of 7-10 days to get an item via interlibrary loan. Delivery time for interlibrary loan items are unique to each item and will be advised on an individual basis.
Cost, if any, associated with interlibrary loan is determined on a case by case basis and any amount beyond postage will be paid by the patron requesting the item.
Requests for interlibrary loan can be placed on the LLC website.
In accordance with a reciprocal agreement between several Washington State Community and Technical Colleges, borrowing privileges may be extended to persons if they are an enrolled student or faculty member from another state community and technical college. To initiate reciprocal borrowing privileges, the student must present their college student ID card and demonstrate evidence of current enrollment at their college.
The library's study rooms are intended to support academic pursuits, foster inclusivity, and be safe spaces for work and creativity. Usage is not to exceed capacity. Study rooms are available to students, faculty, staff, and non-LWTech community members. Priority use of the rooms will be given to students.
Check the calendars for each study room to determine room availability. The following rooms can be reserved:
LLC staff may revoke access if violations of the following guidelines occur:
Business Hours
Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Campus Hours
Mon-Fri, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sat, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.