Schedule a virtual research appointment with a librarian
Location
MCC-Blue River Library
20301 East 78 Highway
Campus Center 130, Academic Resource Center
Independence, MO 64057
Phone: 816.604.6642
Fax: 816.220.6751
We offer students more than 18,000 items, 80 current periodical subscriptions, 1,550 videos, 54 computer workstations and laptops available for library use only with access to the internet and electronic journal databases.
Who may borrow materials?
All current MCC students and employees may check out library materials. Borrowing privileges are based on current enrollment. A photo ID is required to check out items.
Overdues and fines
Loan periods and fines for overdue items vary by the type of item and by how long the item is overdue. Overdue fines for reserve materials, videos, and interlibrary loan materials are significantly higher than fines for circulating books.
Reserve items
Materials put on reserve by Blue River instructors may be checked out for two hours. Reserve materials may be photocopied, but may not leave the library. A photo ID is required to check out reserve items.
Reference assistance
Reference librarians are available to help individual students who desire assistance with library resources. We want and expect students to ask for research assistance. We're here to help.
Interlibrary loans
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a system that allows library patrons to obtain books and articles from other libraries. Students and employees of the Metropolitan Community Colleges may use this service.
MCC is a member of MOBIUS and participates in OCLC. Delivery time varies, so plan ahead and order early. All ILL items must be returned to the MCC library that obtained them for you. Contact the library for more details.
Food/beverages
Food is not permitted in the library under any circumstances. Drinks are not permitted while using computers, but drinks that are covered may be brought into the library. Please confine all other eating and drinking to the cafeteria.
Cell phones
The library is designated for studying and should be free of distractions. Talking on cellular phones or playing any audible devices is prohibited in the library.
Library conduct
Library and ARC users are expected to conduct themselves so that others will not be distracted from the pursuit of learning. Please help us keep the library a congenial place to study or do research.
Instructors' corner
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Classes are taught by librarians with advanced degrees during hours of operation.
The librarian can come to your classroom, or your students can visit the library classroom to receive hands-on experience using library databases. Advanced notice is always appreciated to avoid double-booking.
To schedule instruction and/or work sessions for your classes, contact the library at 816.604.6642.
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Library Instruction sessions can be customized into small mini-presentations to demonstrate research components to your class as your research project unfolds.
For online classes, librarians are available to be embedded in your class to assist students with research projects. They can appear for a week or during a predetermined time of your choice.
If you don't have time to include an instructional session, or if students miss a librarian-guided research presentation, send students to the library to consult with a reference librarian.
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A librarian can deliver a detailed presentation to provide an introduction to library resources, support a research assignment, or provide a small mini-presentation to demonstrate a research component.
In addition to visiting your class, librarians can create videos that you can link in your course. After submitting the form below, a librarian will contact you within three business days.
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Those with very challenging research questions can schedule an appointment with a reference librarian. The librarian will assist the user in locating quality informational resources and also suggest methods to search those resources more efficiently.
Schedule appointments 48 hours in advance by contacting the library at 816.604.6642.
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If this is your first time teaching a class at MCC-Blue River, or if you haven't recently provided a research assignment, please consider sharing a copy with a librarian.
The librarian will review the assignment to determine if materials are up-to-date or need to be purchased. This will ensure a positive experience for your students.
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In cases when a textbook is out of stock in the bookstore or if supplementary class materials are not available online, an instructor can add value for students by placing items on Reserve.
Materials may be put on Reserve in the library for one semester if they conform to copyright laws. The instructor determines the length of the checkout period.
Please remind your students they need a photo ID to check out any library materials, even "library use only" reserve items.
Research tools
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- How to use the Library Catalog
This tutorial shows how to use the MCC Catalog to find materials at your campus library, college libraries in our area and the MOBIUS Catalog. - Suggest Library Purchase
Complete this form to suggest item(s) be added to the library collection.
- How to use the Library Catalog
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- Using Library Databases
This guide shows how to find and navigate MCC library databases to locate scholarly journal articles.
- Using Library Databases
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- Citation Guide: MLA 9th Edition (PDF)
This is a brief overview of the Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style, 9th edition. - Citation Guide: APA 7th Edition (PDF)
This is an overview of the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style, 7th edition.
- Citation Guide: MLA 9th Edition (PDF)