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Use VCU’s Journal Finder to see if a journal is available in a database (only dual enrollment students in their second semester who have a VCU eID benefit from full access to VCU’s databases; others are limited to guest access).

Borrowing privileges
All MLWGS students and faculty – VCU has revised its policy for high school borrowers for 2011/2012. Prior to borrowing from VCU Libraries the first time, you must complete the MW Library's Special Borrowing Privileges Agreement available at the bottom of this page, a form that you must sign (if you are a student, your parent or guardian must also sign it) and return to Ms. DeGroat.

Then, each time you wish to borrow books from VCU Libraries, you must see Ms. DeGroat to obtain a single-use borrower pass which will allow you to borrow up to 5 books (maximum total allowed) from the James Branch Cabell and Tompkins-McCaw Libraries. The loan period is 28 days. This policy applies to both teachers and students.

In order to obtain such a pass, your account with the MW Library must be in good standing (no overdue books or unpaid fees/fines).

Overdue fines and fees for lost or damaged books
Borrowing from VCU Libraries comes with significant responsibility.  Rather than assessing a daily overdue fine, VCU assesses a $25 processing fee on any items returned more than 14 days late. The base replacement fee for books from Cabell Library is $90, and $160 for books from the Tompkins-McCaw Library. Books damaged while on loan will be assessed fees for the cost of repairs.

For simplicity of accounting, VCU Libraries charges each high school for the overdue fines and lost book fees incurred by its borrowers.  However, the responsibility for these charges ultimately falls to you.  Therefore, if you incur overdue fines or fees for losing or damaging materials that you borrow from VCU Libraries, you will be responsible for reimbursing MLWGS for these charges. 

Students enrolled in year-long VCU dual-enrollment courses have the same level of borrowing privileges as undergraduates (see center column of chart – the one with the yellow background) during the SECOND semester of the school year. This is a separate policy from the high school borrowers policy and these privileges include off-campus access VCU’s online resources for students with an active VCU eID username and password.

Communications from VCU Libraries
For dual enrollment students, VCU Libraries will communicate with you directly via your VCU email address.  If you do not plan to use your VCU email account, then take the time to set up forwarding of messages from your VCU email account to an email account you check regularly.  All students with VCU eID numbers may renew books and check their library accounts for fines online.  Fines may not be paid online, but may be paid in-person or over the phone.

For non-dual enrolled MLWGS students who borrow books from VCU with a single-use borrower pass, a books due notice will be sent to Ms. DeGroat three days before your books are due at VCU.  Ms. DeGroat will forward this reminder to your MLWGS email account. If you don't actively check your MLWGS email account, make sure your messages are forwarded to an email account you do check frequently.

Hours and Computer Access at VCU Libraries

High school students and teachers may individually visit VCU Libraries at any time when the libraries are open; current hours are posted online http://www.library.vcu.edu/hours/. After 10 p.m., Sunday - Thursday, an ID check is in effect and only members of the VCU community may access Cabell Library. VCUCard ID's must be shown for entrance at this time. Students and teachers with a current academic ID may use our guest access computer workstations to make use of our electronic resources, such as databases, and electronic journals and books, for one hour per day. Wireless access in our libraries is restricted to VCU students, faculty and staff. High school students can also use public computers in Cabell Library on Saturdays, when, space permitting, Research and Instructional Services staff can log them in for an extended basis; this access is for academic use only..

Arranging a class visit the James Branch Cabell Library
Teachers may coordinate with Ms. DeGroat to arrange a class visit to VCU Libraries; however, since VCU Libraries has over 30,000 students to serve, group visits are only possible when VCU classes are not in session. To discuss arranging a group visit for your students, please email Ms. DeGroat or stop by the library.