FAQs
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.
- The Library at the Chula Vista campus and Higher Education Centers hours vary but none are open on weekends. Up-to-date library hours can be found on the Library Hours and Locations page.
- 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. You can also chat with a librarian, 24/7.
There are computers for use on the second (main) and third floors of the Chula Vista campus library. Center libraries at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa also have computers for student use.
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.
Search the library's OneSearch 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 in-library use only and can not be taken from the building. Make sure you bring your SWC ID or your ID number and a picture identification.
The majority of our media collection is through streaming resources. The Library has access to three main sources for films, documentaries, etc. Off campus access is limited to currently enrolled SWC students, faculty, and staff.
Physical media, mostly DVDs, can be found through the library's OneSearch.
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 videos out of the library to preview or to use in the classroom.
The library offers a variety of study spaces, including study rooms. All study rooms are available on a first-come first-served basis, for a two hour period. Bring your ID to the Circulation Desk on the second floor to use a room. No advance reservations are available.
You can access all types of articles using our Articles and Databases webpage. If you need assistance 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 selecting and researching databases.
Search the library's OneSearch to find materials. In the results, you will be able to tell whether it is a print or online source. For print sources, you will see the location and will need the call number. The most common location for print material is Main Stacks, which means they are located on the third floor of the Chula Vista campus library. Those items have a loan period of four weeks. Ask staff if you have any questions about locations. For online resources, you will find the link to the source in the item. Off campus, these are only accessible to current SWC students, faculty, and staff.
Most videos are accessed via streaming services. Faculty can find more information on streaming options as well as request films in streaming media guide. Faculty may contact the Circulation Desk (619-421-6700 ext 5697) if there is a DVD from the collection they would like to request.