If you are a currently enrolled Southwestern College (SWC) student or current SWC
faculty or staff member, you may borrow materials from the library. You may also use
the interlibrary borrowing service to obtain materials from other libraries, and you
are allowed off-campus access to our online information databases that support college instruction and research.
Your SWC student or staff photo ID card serves as your library card as soon as you
have it validated at the Library Circulation Desk. Remember to bring your SWC photo
ID card with you whenever you visit the library.
Replacing an SWC student photo ID card costs $5.00 and can be paid for at the Cashier's
Office located in the Student Services Center in the Cesar Chavez Building.
During our phased reopening, the Library at the Chula Vista campus is only open M-Th,
9am -1pm. All Center libraries are currently closed.
If you need help finding information or do not know how to get started on an assignment
or project, your first stop should be at the Reference Desk, where a reference librarian
will be happy to help you. A reference librarian is available when the library is open.
During phased reopening, there are computers for use on the main floor of the library
duirng open hours. The Academic Success Center (ASC) in Building 26 also has computers. They are open 12-4pm, M-Th. You can make
walk-in appts or set up an appt in advance to use a computer.
Student textbooks are sold in the campus book store, Building 56A. However, some instructors place copies of their textbooks on reserve in the library
so that students in their classes may use them.
Check the Library Catalog to see if your textbook is on reserve in the library. You will need the book's call
number in order to check out the book. Most reserve items are for library use only
and can not be taken from the building.
The majority of media collection is through streaming resources. The Library has access to three main sources for films, documentaries, etc.
Physical media, mostly DVDs, can be found through the Library Catalog.
Contact a Reference Librarian during open hours or use the Ask-a-Librarian service for any assistance locating media.
Students must use all physical media in the library. Faculty and staff may take programs
out of the library to preview or to use in the classroom.
The library offers a variety of study spaces, including study rooms. During Fall 2021,
rooms can be reserved in advance or requested as a walk-in.
You can access all types of articles using our Articles and Databases webpage. From the Library homepage, select Research. If you have trouble deciding which database best fits your need, please use our
Ask-A-Librarian service for assistance. A Librarian at the Reference Desk can also assist you with
using any particular database.
During phased reopening, there are limited services. Search the Library Catalog to find materials. For most print materials, you can use the Request function. You
will be notified when the item is retrieved and ready for pickup. You pick up at Curbside or during the Library's open hours.
Most videos are access via streaming databases. See this guide for assistance. Faculty
may contact the Circulation Desk (619-421-6700 ext 5697).
Multimedia Services department can duplicate audio, or video cassettes and CD-ROMs
when the producer allows duplication. Contact our Multimedia Services Department for further information.