Are you new to the library?  Do you need a little help?  Check out the helpful resources below, and contact a librarian if you still are stuck.

Use our Library Basics booklet to learn more about the library.

Where Do I & How Do I Log In?

  • Online Catalog:  Use your MLC ID number and catalog password.
  • Overdrive:  Use your MLC ID number and catalog password.
  • Electronic Resources – on campus:  On-campus users should have access to our electronic resources without logging in.
  • Electronic Resources – off campus:  When you are off-campus, log in to Portal before beginning your research, or log in with your MLC username and password when the login screen appears.

Our reference librarian can help you…

  • find information on a topic
  • develop research strategies for papers and projects
  • search the library catalog, article databases, and the Internet
  • locate facts and statistics
  • learn about the services and resources of the MLC library
  • find information sources beyond the library
  • borrow materials from other libraries

Contact the Reference Librarian, Mrs. Gurgel.

Tip Sheets

Library Guides

Learn which library resources are useful for your research topic.

By subject area:

By topic:

Searching for Articles

If you have a citation or reference and need to find the actual article:

If you are looking for an article on a particular topic:

  • Search Discovery and use the limiters to narrow the focus of your search.
  • Databases by Subject provides a list of databases that might work well for your area of research.

If you are looking for a “peer-reviewed” or scholarly journal articles:

  • Use the Discovery search and mark the checkbox for Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals to limit your results.

What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service the library provides for requesting materials not found in the MLC/TdS Online Catalog or MNLINK Catalog. You can find these materials by using OCLC’s WorldCat.

Can I request an item through Interlibrary Loan?

Yes, if you have a current MLC ID card.

How long does it take?

Materials may arrive in a few days or take several weeks to get here.  It depends on the availability of the item and the location of the lending library.

How long can items be kept?

The lending library determines the due date. Usually materials are loaned for 3-5 weeks.

What kind of items can be requested?

Typically books and articles are requested, but DVDs, CDs, VHS, and microfilm may also be available.

Which items cannot be requested?

Loaning libraries determine what, if any, items will not be loaned.  Ebooks cannot be borrowed through ILL.

Where does my request go once it’s been placed?

Requests placed through the online ILL form are sent to the librarian in charge of interlibrary loans.

Where do I get in-person help with ILL requests?

The  will help you with special requests or answer questions about ILL.

Can ILL materials be renewed?

Renewals for ILL materials are determined by the lending library. Please contact the ILL Librarian at least one day before your item’s expiration date to request a renewal.

Is there a cost to requesting materials through ILL?

Generally, no. We try to borrow only from libraries that share their materials for free.

When I am done using the ILL items, where should I return them?

Return the ILL materials to the library. Include any paperwork that came with your materials.

If you need research help when our librarians aren’t on duty, you can use the AskMN online chat service.  It’s available to all Minnesota residents and students 24/7.  AskMN is a cooperative service of Minnesota libraries.

Our friendly student library workers may also be able to point you in the right direction.

Need help writing?  Check out the MLC Writing Center.

We have manuals for several different citation styles.  Check with your professor about which style to use.

Citation Manuals

  • APA: American Psychological Association

    • Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association: The Official Guide to APA Style
    • Print copy, on general reserve – Ask for it at the library service desk.

  • Chicago Manual of Style Online 17th edition

    • A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations: Chicago style for students and researchers, 2017.
    • Online edition

  • MLA Handbook, 8th edition

    • Print copy, on general reserve – Ask for it at the library service desk.

  • The SBL Handbook of Style

    • The essential style manual for writing and publishing in biblical studies and related fields.
    • Print copy, found in stacks: PN 147 .S26 2014