Mary and George Slankard Learning Resource Center

Need a place to study or a computer to finish assignments? Visit the Learning Resource Center!

Return library items:

If you need to return library items, you can use the drop box that is outside the east LRC doors to the left of the steps or return them to the front desk inside the LRC.

The newly remodeled Mary & George Slankard Learning Resource Center is located in front (south) of the theatre and has been expanded to include six new study rooms. The LRC has print and electronic resources such as books, periodicals, newspapers, DVDs, audiobooks, and databases. It has space for study, research, leisure reading, class preparation, cameras for Zoom meetings, Internet access, loaner laptops, headphones, charging stations and loanable chargers, and color/b&w printing options. The LRC is open to students, faulty/staff, and members of RLC's community district and is a part of the Illinois Heartland Library System. The LRC building also houses our Wellness Center, Lactation Room, CTE Success Center, IT Help Desk, and Blended Cafe. We encourage you to come in and use the many resources and services the LRC has available to make your Rend Lake College experience successful!

QUICK LINKS

Volunteer At The LRC

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer at the Mary & George Slankard Learning Resource Center on the campus of Rend Lake College, Ina, IL. Volunteers are important partners in fulfilling the Library's mission of providing knowledge and information that supports the educational endeavors of our students, lifelong learning of any patron, and expanding and enhancing library services.

Volunteers perform many important jobs and assist in maintaining quality library service. Volunteers support the Library Staff in various capacities and supervised by Library Staff they work with patrons and help with special projects and events. Volunteers do not take the place of paid staff. Volunteers are recognized as representatives of the Library and shall be expected to meet the same work and behavior codes as employees.

If you enjoy meeting and helping people, then share your talents and skills and discover the rewards of giving your time and energy to an organization that enriches the lives of others and the community!

Volunteer Guidelines

Volunteers provide the Library with positive community exposure and unparalleled public relations benefits, so certain expectations are expected of our valued volunteers.
o Keep accurate records of hours worked
o Be reliable, dependable and prompt
o Expected to meet the overall demands of the functions performed during a typical workday
o Accept direction and ask questions if unsure of proper procedure
o Advise your supervisor concerning absences, changes in work schedule or vacations
o Notify your supervisor of your intention to vacate the volunteer position so that a replacement can be sought
o Maintain the confidentially of any information which you may be exposed to, whether this information involves staff, patrons, volunteers or the overall business of the Library or College

Desired Volunteer Skills
Volunteers do not need library experience, but certain skills are invaluable for working in a library
o Strong interest in books, reading and learning
o Desire to help patrons in a library setting
o Good interpersonal and customer skills
o Ability to take initiative, solve minor problems and work under minimal supervision
o Knowledge of current affairs, recent events and related forms of information
o Basic computer skills

Benefits of Becoming a Volunteer

Although the Mary & George Slankard Learning Resource Center benefits greatly from its volunteers, volunteering can be very rewarding for the individual as well.
o Acquire new skills and gain valuable work experience
o Receive verification of your volunteer work for school
o Use as a job reference for resumes
o Expand your social horizons and make new friends
o Serve the community
o Keep up with the latest news and events
o First to check out new materials

Volunteer Opportunities Generally Available
o Greet and direct library users
o Assist at Circulation Desk
o Shelf reading
o Assist patrons using computers and other technology
o Assist with programs/special events
o Provide Story Time

Volunteer Application

Learning Resource Center Volunteer Form

LRC Resources: Click the images below!

Research Assistance

Library staff is available to any individual doing research and/or the use of the resources (print and electronic). Please email [email protected] or contact ext. 1308 to schedule a one-to-one or group research/resources session.

LRC Policy

Materials Borrowing Policy

Students, faculty, staff, or residents who live in the RLC district may borrow materials from the LRC. As a part of your first borrowing transaction, a library card will be issued to you at the Circulation Desk. Your first card is free and can be used as long as you are a student, faculty/staff of RLC, or a resident of the RLC district. All patrons are required to show a current state identification card or driver's license to be issued a library card. RLC students must also have a valid RLC student ID, which will be used as their library card. A fee of $10.00 will be charged for each replacement card.

Patrons can check out up to 10 items at one time. Materials are typically loaned for two to three weeks and may be renewed twice, unless another patron has placed a hold against it. Patrons can renew items by calling, emailing, or coming to the Circulation Desk or via their online library account at search.illinoisheartland.org. For your online account, your library barcode number is your username, and your PIN is the four digit code you chose during your account creation. If audiovisual material is needed for a classroom presentation, check with the Circulation Desk. Items placed on reserve by instructors are checked out from the Circulation Desk and will have varying checkout periods.

Interlibrary Loan Policy

The LRC follows the ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Code reciprocal borrowing. As members of Illinois Heartland Library System we must adhere to the policies within this code which does not allow for renewal of ILL (Interlibrary Loan) materials.

Please return all material to the Circulation Desk or the drop box located east of the building (near the parking lot). As a courtesy to others, please let the LRC know if there are any problems with any audio/visual material.

If an item is lost or damaged the borrower must pay the current replacement cost of the item plus a library processing fee of $25.00.

Intellectual and Academic Freedom

Rend Lake College LRC Policy on Intellectual and Academic Freedom
Rend Lake College’s Learning Resource Center supports the principle of academic freedom as laid out in applicable College documents. The LRC understands academic freedom to mean that a faculty member, tenured or non-tenured, or a student may inquire freely into academic matters and responsibly communicate considered findings in appropriate College classes related to the subject or, as an individual, in publications of his / her choice.

In accordance with the ALA (American Library Association) Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement, Freedom to View Statement, and other related documents, the LRC strives to build a collection that will provide for the free exchange of ideas. The collection, including access to electronic information, is available to all patrons of the LRC. It offers the widest possible range of viewpoints, without prejudice or censorship, regardless of the popularity of these viewpoints; the frankness of language; the national origin of the author; or the controversial manner an author may use in dealing with religious, political, sexual, social, economic, scientific, or moral issues.

LRC Services

The Learning Resource Center provides collections of books, DVDs, and other resources that can be checked out by patrons. It also provides Interlibrary Loans, computer access with printers, copying services, assistance with research, and reserve materials.

Circulation

Library staff is responsible for issuing library cards to all new patrons and entering their information into the Illinois Heartland Library System database. Library staff assists patrons with searching the online catalog to locate library materials on the shelves. Library material is checked out at the Circulation Desk. If resources on a subject are not available in the RLC collection, Library staff will help patrons place holds on items available at other libraries so the resources can be borrowed from the holding library. Circulating material typically may be checked out for three weeks and may be renewed for an additional two weeks twice. Reserve materials will have varying circulation checkouts. Reference material does not circulate.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service is provided so that users may have access to material that is unavailable at the Rend Lake College Learning Resource Center. Interlibrary loan provides students and staff of Rend Lake College the ability to borrow items from member libraries of the Illinois Heartland Library System. Interlibrary loan services are important to staff and students because not every desired item could possibly be found within the LRC’s collection. Materials are typically loaned for three weeks but may be renewed. Allow 1-5 days to receive the requested materials. Materials must be picked up at the Circulation Desk. Requests for ILL copies of magazine/journal articles can be made by contacting the library staff, ext. 1308.

Student IDs

The LRC is one of the locations (also Student Records and our Mt. Vernon location) on campus where student IDs are made. Please go to the IT Help Desk in LRC 135. Students must present a picture ID and current schedule to obtain a RLC student ID. Schedules can be printed from the Circulation Desk.

Computers, Internet, & Copying

The Open Computer Lab is located in the Learning Resource Center, LRC 128. Within this lab, computers are available for use by RLC students, staff, and community patrons. There are also laptops and portable chargers available for in-house use at the Circulation Desk.

Warrior Wi-Fi is available in the LRC as well as all over campus and in parking lots. Contact the IT Help Desk at [email protected] or at 618-437-5321 ext. 1259 to get connected.

RLC is now using a print management system called PaperCut. Additional information can be found on the MyRLC page. A copier/ printer machine and a color printer are available in the library. Black/white copies are $0.10/page or $0.05/side duplex and color copies are $0.25/page or $0.12/side duplex for copying and printing. Every student receives $15.00 credit each semester for printing/copying. Additional money can be added to an account online at the Papercut link above by debit/credit card or PayPal account, or by cash with the assistance of a Library Staff member at the Circulation Desk. Hint: For large print jobs, save money by printing multiple slides/pages to one page.

Contact IT Help Desk for assistance in LRC 135 or at [email protected] or at 618-437-5321 ext. 1259.

Reserves

The LRC offers a “Reserve” area for instructors to leave material for student use such as notes, books, CDs, DVDs, etc. As a general rule, reserve materials have special check out times.