Library Services encourages students to use the collections, resources, services, and facilities to complete assignments and for personal growth. Library faculty are eager to assist students in learning how to effectively search for, locate, and use information.
RPCC Gonzales Library Hours are subject to change. Check current hours here. Online resources are always available.
Contact the Library using the Contact Us form, by phone at (225) 743-8550, or via email at Library@rpcc.edu.
The RPCC Library is located on the Gonzales campus. Other campuses have various facilities. Check locations and facilities here.
Library Circulation Policies and Loan Periods
Students must be currently enrolled or a current student worker in order to borrow items from the Library. To borrow items, students must present a valid photo ID (RPCC Student IDs are available from Student Services). Reference materials and periodicals are limited to use in the Library. The loan periods for various resources are as follows:
- Books - 28 days
- Audio/Visuals - 7 days
- Reserve Item - varies depending on the item
- Laptops & Accessories - Until 1 day after the last day of finals according to the Academic Calendar for the semester in which the laptop was borrowed
Library Fines for Overdue Materials
- 35¢ per day (books, CDs, DVDs, etc.)
- 10¢ per minute for reserve items
- $50 per day, up to the replacement cost of the item for laptops and laptop accessories
Borrowing Laptops
Laptops are available for loan from the RPCC Library. Students must go to the RPCC Gonzales Campus to borrow a laptop on loan.
Eligible Students - Laptops are available for loan to currently enrolled RPCC for-credit students only (i.e., students who are enrolled in a degree or certificate program and who have a Banner ID number) who have no overdue materials or outstanding library fines.
Laptop Loan Periods - There are no reservations for laptops. Laptops are loaned on a first-come, first-served basis. Students may only borrow one (1) laptop on loan at a time. Eligible students may borrow a laptop on loan and any related accessories at any time during a semester. The laptop must be returned to the RPCC Gonzales Campus Library no later than one day after the last day of finals for the semester in which the laptop was borrowed. Laptops must be returned directly into the hands of a Library Staff member. You may not use the “outdoor book drop” to return laptops. Laptops are for the exclusive use of the RPCC student who borrowed it. Children and others are not allowed to use the laptop.
Borrowers Who Withdraw From the College - Borrowers who withdraw from the college must return the laptop within 7 days of dropping all classes.
Laptop Overdue Fines - $50 per day, up to the replacement cost of the laptop. Once the laptop or any related accessories is more than one day overdue, the student’s record will be flagged and the full replacement cost for the laptop and/or the accessories will be charged to the student’s account.
Borrower Responsibility for Equipment and Fines for Replacement Costs - Students are financially responsible for all equipment on loan, including the full replacement cost of the equipment and any of its accessories that are lost, stolen, or damaged. If any of the equipment is not returned or is returned damaged, the borrower may be charged the replacement costs, as follows:
- Individual Carrying Case: $30.00
- Individual Power Adapter Cord: $60.00
- Laptop (to include damage to the internal battery, internal drive, external drive, screen, keyboard, case): from $25.00 up to $2269
If damage is discovered by RPCC IT after the laptop is returned, students may incur costs up to the total cost of replacement as outlined above. This includes tampering with or removing any barcodes or other RPCC or state labels or markings.
Process to Borrow a Laptop - Laptops are loaned on a first come, first serve basis.
- Student visits the RPCC Library on the Gonzales Campus and asks to borrow a laptop on loan.
- If a laptop is available, Library Staff will scan the student’s ID card, or, after verifying identity from a government issued ID, locate the student in the Library System, to ensure the student is an eligible student per the definition above.
- A copy of this Laptop Loan Policy will be given to each student that borrows a laptop on loan. The student will sign the Policy acknowledging receipt.
Library Resources & Services
Library Collections & Information Resources - RPCC Library Services owns and has access rights to a wide variety of information resources for conducting research, enhancing information literacy skills, and for continuing life-long learning. Students may access the Library’s Catalog and Databases via the Library’s website to locate resources or ask a librarian. Librarians are available to help students with research, including instruction on how to use the resources and how to cite the information sources. Off- campus access to our online resources requires login.
Print and eBooks - The RPCC Library has more than 16,000 locally owned volumes to support the curriculum. The RPCC Library also owns or provides access to more than 200,000 e-books available online via the Library website. E-books are available to authorized RPCC users twenty-four hours a day while currently enrolled or employed at RPCC.
Print and Online Periodicals - RPCC owns and/or provides local access to some print periodicals and provides online access to thousands of newspapers, magazines, and journals in licensed electronic databases. Resources are available for access on-site during normal Library hours, and remote access to electronic resources is available to authorized RPCC users (active students, faculty, and staff) twenty-four hours a day via the Library's website. Instructions regarding usernames and passwords when off-campus are available on the Library website and as handouts in the Library.
Multimedia - The Library subscribes to an extensive streaming video collection from Films On Demand and other sources accessible via the Library website Databases page.
Student Printing - A multi-function printer/copier is located in the Library at Gonzales. Printing is also available in the Library space on the Reserve campus. Students are also able to scan and e-mail documents. Visit the RPCC Library website or ask at the Library Service Desk for more information. Printing for students is not currently available at the Westside campus.
Library Instruction & Information Literacy
LISR 1000: Information Literacy: Research Strategies and Resources - This course is a one-credit hour elective that may transfer to 4-year institutions (LSU and SLU will accept this course). It is offered every semester.
Course-Integrated Library Instruction - Instructors often invite Librarians into their classrooms to give students an overview of the resources and information on how to access the resources. Students will learn how to effectively search for information sources for use with their course assignments and research papers.
Point-of-Use Instruction - Students are encouraged to request assistance from a Librarian in the use of any of the information resources available to them. Librarians will provide instruction and guidance so that students can conduct effective library research that supports their studies. A Chat Reference Service is available to help off-campus students during hours with most demand. Access Chat via the link in the lower right corner of the Library webpage.
Library Tutorials and Handouts - A variety of tutorials and printed handouts are available on the library website and in the library. Information on how to access Library resources, how to use Canvas, how to conduct research and cite research sources, and much more is available.
Additional Library Services for Students - In addition to Circulation, Reference, Library Instruction, and Course Reserves, the Library offers students, faculty, and staff opportunities to borrow items from other libraries via Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Books and periodical articles may be obtained from other libraries at the patron’s request. Please allow at least two weeks for delivery of ILL items.
LOUIS Reciprocal Borrowing Services are also available to students. A LOUIS Reciprocal Borrowing card may be issued to students upon request with a valid photo ID. This allows students to borrow materials from other participating academic libraries without the need to wait for ILL delivery. Visit the User Services webpage or stop by the Library on the Gonzales campus during operating hours for more information.
RPCC Library in Canvas - Student are enrolled in a Library information 'course' in Canvas. The Canvas 'course' includes links to most Library resources and has information regarding contacts and locations. A link to the Library's website may also be available in other Canvas course left menus.