GCC Library Cards

All students registered for classes are issued an electronic library card automatically. Faculty and staff hired after summer 2024 are also issued a library card automatically; however, faculty and staff hired prior to this date may request a card in person or via email. Student or faculty/staff ID cards serve as the physical library card and can be requested in person at the library or online via myGCC.

Any community patron seeking to borrow GCC library materials who qualifies for a CWMARS card will be issued a public library card. If a patron is not a student, employee, or eligible for a CWMARS card but has a compelling connection to the GCC community, a community borrower card may be issued.

GCC student library cards expire one academic year after the last semester of active enrollment. Staff and community borrower cards expire automatically two years after creation and can be renewed by replying to the expiration email notification.

Library Card Opt-Out

Students, faculty and staff may choose to opt out of having a library card created automatically. Please note that opting out impacts your ability to access library resources, including technology lending and some streaming film databases. To opt out, email library@gcc.mass.edu with your name, student ID number, and the request. You may opt back in at any time via the same email address.

Library Card Privileges and Access

All GCC and CWMARS library card holders with accounts in active good standing may borrow materials. Certain materials, such as those in the technology lending library, are available for checkout by GCC students only.

Digital materials can be accessed by anyone while on site in the GCC library using a desktop or a device on the GCC internet connection. Off-site access to digital materials is restricted to those with a GCC Student or Staff library card. A library card or alternate ID must be presented when checking out materials.

Finding Library Materials

Books (digital and print), DVDs, and audiobooks can be found using the GCC Library Catalog or by browsing the shelves. If an item is checked out, you may place a hold to have it ordered from another CWMARS library or held for you upon its return. Digital materials can also be found via the Discovery Search feature or directly through library databases.

Lending Period, Renewals, and Returns

Books in the general collection circulate to GCC students and staff until the end of the current academic semester. Most technology also circulates until the end of the semester for students only, with no renewals allowed. For CWMARS patrons, general collection books circulate for 28 days with two renewals. DVDs circulate for seven days with one renewal for all card holders.

Books and DVDs can be returned on campus or to any CWMARS location. However, laptops, hotspots, and other technological equipment must be returned directly to the campus.

Non-Circulating Materials

The following items are for in-library use only:

• Periodicals, including newspapers
• Reserve materials (request these at the circulation desk)
• Reference materials (marked "Ref" in the call number)
• Rare books (marked "Rare" in the call number)
• MacLeish Collection (available by appointment)

Overdue Material

There are no fines for overdue material, but borrowers are responsible for the replacement value of unreturned or damaged items. Multiple reminders are sent before a bill for the replacement cost is issued. Borrowers cannot check out additional materials until overdue items are returned.

Replacement costs can be paid via credit card in the library catalog or by check in person/by mail. Cash and replacement items are not accepted.

Students with materials one month overdue may have their college record flagged. This may lead to disqualification from registration and the withholding of grades, transcripts, and diplomas until items are returned or paid for. For more information on overdue technology, please refer to the TLL-specific policy.