Welcome to our Library
The Library has temporarily moved to the first floor of the Business and Technology building.
Search for books, e-books, videos, articles, digital media, and more.
Advanced Search I About OneSearchSearch for books, e-books, videos, articles, digital media, and more. Search everything Print Books & Material at the Library Textbooks Mission & West Valley Books SEARCHAdvanced Search I About OneSearch function searchPrimo() { document.getElementById("primoQuery").value = "any,contains," + document.getElementById("primoQueryTemp").value.replace(/[,]/g, " "); document.forms["searchForm"].submit(); } // JS for switching scopes using the drop-down selector // Update "Tab", Scope, and Placeholders to match your school's setup function primoScopeSwitch(scope) { switch(scope.value) { case "Everything": document.getElementById("primoTab").value = "Everything"; document.getElementById("primoScope").value = "MyInst_and_CI"; document.getElementById("primoQueryTemp").placeholder = "Search everything"; break; case "LibraryCatalog": document.getElementById("primoTab").value = "LibraryCatalog"; document.getElementById("primoScope").value = "IZPhysical"; document.getElementById("primoQueryTemp").placeholder = "Print Books and Material at the Library"; break; case "CourseReserves": document.getElementById("primoTab").value = "CourseReserves"; document.getElementById("primoScope").value = "CourseReserves"; document.getElementById("primoQueryTemp").placeholder = "Textbook Reserves"; break; case "WVMCCD": document.getElementById("primoTab").value = "WVMCCD"; document.getElementById("primoScope").value = "WVMCCD"; document.getElementById("primoQueryTemp").placeholder = "Mission and West Valley Books"; break; } }
Search for books, e-books, videos, articles, digital media, and more (OneSearch & research databases)
To find resources for your research projects use OneSearch or the individual research databases listed on the Research Databases page.
OneSearch searches the Library's physical resources (print books, calculators, etc.) plus most (but not all) of the Library's research databases. In addition, there is an option to search for books that you can borrow from West Valley College. For information on how to use OneSearch, go to the About OneSearch guide. It includes a list of the databases not included in OneSearch.
A research database is an online searchable collection of information such as articles, ebooks, streaming films and videos, and reference materials. The Library subscribers to over 50 different research databases, many are subject specific, while others include only one type of source, such as streaming films or newspaper articles.
OneSearch can make research quick and convenient, but there are times when an individual database is more appropriate for your research. If you are having trouble finding relevant results in OneSearch, you may want to search an individual database instead.
Textbooks at the Library
The Library has many of the textbooks used in courses at Mission College for check out, but not all of them. Quantities are limited. Textbooks cannot be placed on hold for pick up. Items are checked out in person on a first come, first served basis.
To see if your textbook is available at the Library, conduct a textbook search in OneSearch. Find more information on how to search for a textbook.
There are two collections of textbooks at the Library:
Textbook & Instructor Reserves is a collection of textbooks and material on reserve for two hour check out. Ask for them at the Check Out Desk by providing the call number (available from OneSearch).
SemesterText is a collection of textbooks and graphing calculators available for semester long check out. Checkout starts thefirst day of the semester, and all checked out items are due back the last day of the semester. Go to the SemesterText page for more information and to see a list of the textbooks available.
How to find, reserve/hold, renew, and return library material
- How to search for library material
- How to search for textbooks
- How to reserve/hold materials
- How to renew an item
- How to find a due date for a checked out item
- How to find/request books from West Valley College
- How to return items
For questions regarding checked-out materials, fines, and reserves/holds, email [email protected], or call (408) 855-5150 during open hours.
Find more answers to your questions on the Library's Question & Answer page.
Whom to contact about checked out materials, fines, and reserves/holds
For questions regarding checked-out materials, fines, and reserves/holds, email [email protected], or call (408) 855-5150 during open hours.
How to contact a librarian for research help
For research assistance, help using the Library databases, or help locating items in the Library:
- Stop by or call the Information Desk (408-855-5169) during open hours.
- Use the Live Chat/Zoom button, available on the right sidebar, during online hours (Live Chat/Zoom is not available during winter session).
- Use the Research Help Request Form any time to request assistance and a librarian will respond during open hours.
- Schedule a one-on-one 30 minute research session with a librarian. In person and Zoom sessions available (appointments are not available during winter and summer sessions).
Open and online hours are listed on the right sidebar of all Library web pages.
Virtual tour of the Library
Research guides & handouts
The Research Guides Portal provides subject specific guides and handouts to help with research in a specific discipline or on a specific topic. It includes a comprehensive guide to "The Five Steps to Writing a Research Project."
The Library offers a series of short videos to help students get started with using the Library resources for research. They include information on where to start your research, finding articles through OneSearch, finding articles in the Library databases, and creating citations.
NoodleTools & citing sources
The Library subscribes to the citation creation tool, NoodleTools, to help students cite and organize their research. To access NoodleTools, go to the Sign In page and click on the Microsoft 365 icon, then enter your Mission College email and password.
The Library's Citing Sources guide includes links to style guides for MLA, APA, etc., tips for avoiding plagiarism, and information on how to access, and create citations, bibliographies, and annotated bibliographies in NoodleTools.
Digital magazines
The Library subscribes to over 50 digital magazines you can read on your computer or mobile device. Go to the Flipster page to browse available magazines or click on a magazine below to go directly to it. For a list of available magazines, go to the Flipster Title List.
Flipster has a mobile app for Apple devices, Android devices, and side-loaded to Kindle Fire Tablets. Once you download the app, select Mission College as your library. If you are off campus you will be prompted to sign in with your Mission email and password.
Digital subscriptions to the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal
Mission College students have free access to the digital versions of the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Go to the guides below for information on how to register for a free subscription.
Digital access to the SJ Mercury News and SF Chronicle
The Library subscribes to NewsBank: Access World News Research Collection which offers extensive coverage and differing viewpoints from global, national, regional and local news sources, including image versions of the San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Chronicle.
Online journals list
Find out if a specific magazine or journal is available in one of Mission College Library's databases by searching the Journals List in OneSearch.
Credo Instruct - InfoLit modules
Credo videos, tutorials and quizzes are designed to give you a foundation in information literacy and critical thinking. Learn why information literacy skills matter, how to get started with research, understand the process, narrow a topic, write a thesis statement, avoid plagiarism and much more.
Study space and computers
Study Space
The Library provides study space for student use. Collaborative study is available
in the main Library and room 105. Quiet study space is available in room 117. Library
users may have covered drinks and consume food in the main library space and study
classrooms. For additional information, see the Library Food and Drink Policy.
Computers
The Library has two computer labs with PC computers for student use; room 101 is for
collaborative computer work and room 118 is for quiet computer work. In addition,
there are three computer stations in the main Library. All computers include Internet
access, Microsoft Office programs (Work, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access), and allow
printing. Refer to the Library Computer Use Policy for additional information. Only drinks with lids are permitted in the computer labs.
For additional information, see the Library Food and Drink Policy.
The Library has a photocopier, scanners, and computer printers available for public use. For information about locations and cost, see Photocopier, Scanners, and Printers.
Equipment available for check out
The Library has a variety of equipment and anatomy models available for check out.
Anatomy Models
The Library has 23 different anatomy models available to use in the Library or the Library's collaboration room (BT 105). The models are on display on the top of the bookshelves in BT 106. If a model has detachable parts, they are available at the Check Out Desk.
Calculators
The Library has several different styles of scientific and graphing calculators available for three week check out. Ask for them at the Check Out Desk. There are also graphing calculators available through the SemesterText Program that can be checked out for the entire semester.
External DVD Drives
The Library has 5 external DVD Drives available for three week check out. Ask for them at the Check Out Desk.
Headphones
Headphones for computers are available to check out for all day use. Antibacterial cleaning wipes will be dispensed with Library headphones when available. As a courtesy, headphones are available for Library visitors who are not students or employees in the District to use while in the Library. Ask for them at the Check Out Desk.
Phone Chargers
Phone wall chargers for iPhones and Android phones are available to check out for all day use. Ask for them at the Check Out Desk.
Prentice Hall Molecular Model Set for Organic Chemistry
Molecular models sets are available for two-hour check out. Each set includes 66 spheres, 96 bonding links, 1 short link remover tool. Ask for them at the Check Out Desk by providing the following call number: QD257.P74 1984.
Webcams
Webcams are available to check out for all day use. Ask for them at the Check Out Desk. See the Library catalog record for camera details.
Whiteboard Markers and Erasers
Whiteboard markers and erasers are available to check out for all day use. Ask for them at the Check Out Desk.
Wireless Mice
Wireless mice are available to check out for three weeks. Ask for them at the Check Out Desk.
Free blue books and scantrons
Free school supplies, including blue books and scantrons, are available for Mission College students in the Library while supplies last. Limit one of each item per student.
Art supplies are also available for students enrolled in art classes. Supplies are limited. Please ask staff for assistance.
Links to other area libraries
Mission College students, staff, and faculty can request books from West Valley College for pick up at Mission College Library. For more information, go to How to find and request books from West Valley College.
Below is a list local libraries in Santa Clara County. To obtain a print or online resource from these libraries, you must have a current library membership to that library system.