Library Hours for End of Semester & Holiday Break

The OCC Libraries will be open normal hours through the end of classes on Monday December 19. Please see the the campus libraries page for intersession hours and holiday break closures.  OCC Libraries will resume normal hours when classes begin on January 9.  Happy Holidays!

MeLCat end-of-semester closure begins

Beginning December 7, 2011 you will not be able to use your OCC Library card to request materials through MeLCat until normal service resumes on January 9, 2012.  If you would like to use MeLCat during this period, you might want to try your public library.  Please contact a campus library if you have any questions.

Thanksgiving Break Hours

The OCC Libraries will be closed during Thanksgiving break, Thursday November 24 through Sunday November 27.   For our normal hours or if you have any questions, please see the campus library contact page.

Writing a research paper?

Try one of our Research Guides or contact a librarian if you need help getting started.
The OCC Library Research Guides are a great place to start your research. They provide high-quality online and print resources selected by OCC Librarians in a variety of subject areas.  You can also use the OCC Library Ask A Librarian reference service to contact a librarian by phone, email, or online chat, 24/7.

Featured Database: Opposing Viewpoints In Context

Check out one of the OCC Library's new databases - Opposing Viewpoints In Context.  Search Opposing Viewpoints In Context for information and opinions on today's hottest social issues, featuring continuously updated viewpoint articles, topic overviews, full-text magazines, journals, news articles, primary source documents, statistics, images, videos, audio files and websites.  This database is provided by the Michigan eLibrary (MeL).

Improve your library skills with free Student Success Seminars

Don't forget to make time for these upcoming Student Success Seminars. These sessions are free and cover a variety of topics related to student success, including library research, study skills, and interview skills. Ask your instructor about extra credit for attending any of these seminars.

Orchard Ridge Campus

• Wednesday October 19 - Library Resources
  12:00 – 1:00 in the ASC (K-100)
• Thursday October 20 - Library Resources
  5:00 – 6:00 in the ASC (K-100)
• Monday October 24 - Evaluating Web Pages
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library
• Monday October 31 - ARTstor for Digital Images
  12:00-12:30 in the King Library

Royal Oak Campus
(see all Fall 2011 seminars for Royal Oak)

• Tuesday, Oct. 25 - Problem-solving Skills 
  5:00 - 6:00 in Room C 202 
• Wednesday, Oct. 26 - Math Study Strategies
  10:30 - 11:30 in Room C 202
• Tuesday Nov. 1 - Library Homepage Hunt
5:00 - 6:00 in Room C 202
• Tuesday, Nov. 1 - How to Study
  10 - 11 in Room C 202
• Thursday, Nov. 3 - Communication Skills
  5:00 - 6:00 in Room C 202
• Thursday, Nov. 8 - Grammar Crammer 
  5:00 - 6:00 in Room C 202
• Wednesday, Nov. 9 - Acing your Math Tests
  10:30 - 11:30 in Room C 202
• Wednesday, Nov. 9 - Essentials of Effective Communication
  6:00 - 7:00 in Room C 202
• Thursday, Nov. 10 - Introduction to Research/MLA
  5:00 - 6:00 in Room C 202
• Tuesday, Nov. 15 - Express Yourself with Idioms
  5:00 - 6:00 in Room C 202
• Wednesday, Nov. 16 - PowerPoint 2010®
  11:00 - 12:00 in Room C 202
• Monday, Nov. 21 - Brain-based Learning
  2:30 - 3:30 in Room C 202 
• Tuesday, Nov. 22 - Grammar II
  5:00 - 6:00 in Room C 202
• Wednesday, Nov. 23 - MATH Problem Solving
  5:30 - 6:30 in Room C 202 
• Tuesday, Nov. 29 - Acing Multiple Choice Tests
  10:00 -11:00 in Room C 202 
• Thursday, Dec. 1 - Why Worry? Philosophical Viewpoints
  5:00 - 6:00 in Room C 202
• Monday, Dec. 5 - Final Exam Preparation
  2:30 - 3:30 in Room C 202 
• Wednesday, Dec. 7 - Acing Your Math Final
  10:30 - 11:30 in Room C 202 

Library E-mail Notifications

Would you like a quick easy way to find out when the books you requested are ready to be picked up? How about a reminder 5 days before your books are due? This information (and more) is now available through your OCC Student E-mail account.

All OCC Students will receive library notices through their OCC Student E-mail accounts. Check your OCC E-mail for messages with the subject line "A Reminder from Your OCC Library"

Students will no longer receive paper copy notices through the mail

If you have any questions, please call or stop by an OCC Library. There is a library on your campus with convenient hours and great things for you!

Free Student Success Seminars coming up

Here are a few upcoming Student Success Seminars.  These sessions are free and cover a variety of topics related to student success, including library research, study skills, and interview skills.  Ask your instructor about extra credit for these seminars.  See the Library Instruction page for more information.

Orchard Ridge Campus Library

• Monday Oct. 3 - FREE Articles @ Your OCC Library
  12pm-12:30pm in King Library: Learn to how to search for magazine, journal, and newspaper articles!
• Monday Oct. 10 - U.S. Government Resources
  @ Your OCC Library
  12pm-12:30pm in King Library: Learn how Government documents can enhance your research papers!

Royal Oak Campus Library

• Tuesday Oct. 11 - Library Homepage Hunt
  10am-11am in C202
• Wednesday Oct. 12 - Acing Your Math Tests
  10:30am-11:30am in C202
• Thursday Oct. 13 - Memory Improvement
  5pm-6pm in C202
• Friday Oct. 14 - Essential Editing Proof-reading Skills
  2:30pm-3:30pm in C202

Southfield Campus Library

• Monday Oct 3 - Introduction to Metric System
  12pm-1pm in 230c
• Wednesday Oct 5 - Library Research Success
  12pm-1pm in 230c
• Thursday Oct 6 - Interview Skills I (preparation & tips)
  6pm-7pm in 230c
• Tuesday Oct 11 - Microsoft Word 2011 (Intro)
  12pm-1pm in 230c

Saturday September 17th is Constitution Day

The Orchard Ridge Campus King Library is a Federal Depository Library and provides free access to print and electronic documents created by the United States Government. We invite you to learn more about the United States Constitution in celebration of Constitution Day.

• Read a transcript of the U.S. Constitution
• Learn more about the 39 delegates who signed the U.S. Constitution
• View a signed copy of the U.S. Constitution

To locate books or articles related to U.S. Constitution or for more information about accessing the Government Documents collection, visit the Reference desk at any OCC campus library for assistance.

Is my textbook in the Library?

Required textbooks for courses are not generally purchased by the OCC Campus Libraries.

However, your text may be in Course Reserves, and the library often carries earlier editions that instructors may approve. You can search the library catalog to check for availability.  Please be proactive and let your instructor or librarian know that you would appreciate a copy of the class text in Course Reserves.

More Information about locating textbooks…

OCC Libraries ebook collection now at eBooks on EBSCOhost

The OCC Libraries ebook collection previously available through Netlibrary is now available at eBooks on EBSCOhost.  All the titles from Netlibrary are still there at eBooks on EBSCOhost, but now with more search options and improved online and offline reading capabilities.  Please note that If you have used Netlibrary in the past that your free Netlibrary account is no longer valid.  You can, however, establish a free My EBSCOhost account to continue using the same features, including keeping book lists, taking notes in ebooks, and checkout & download.  For more information, please visit our ebook information page.

Featured Database: Detroit Free Press with new ProQuest interface

Try the new-look Detroit Free Press database from ProQuest.  Search here for the full-text of Detroit Free Press articles from 1999 right up to the present. Click here to try it now, or find it on our OCC Libraries databases page along with more than 60 other databases to choose from.

Library how-to: Renew your books online

You can easily and conveniently renew your OCC library books online.  Just go to the Library Catalog and click on the "My Account" tab, enter your Library card barcode number and select "Renew Books". If the items are already overdue or it is the due date, you will need to contact your campus library's Circulation Desk to renew.

Millions of books! MeLCat is here!

Your OCC Library just got bigger. MeLCat, the Michigan eLibrary Catalog, is now available to OCC students, staff and faculty with an OCC Library card. Get access to books, CDs, DVDs, and more in the 400+ participating libraries across the State of Michigan. Access this service online yourself and pick up your request at the OCC Library of your choice.
See this demo video to learn how.
In a hurry? Visit another library in MeLCat that owns the book and check it out directly with an OCC Library Card and a picture ID.
See more about MeLCat.

Featured Database: Biology

Preparing to take the Biology Proficiency Test?  Biology is a searchable, full-text biology encyclopedia, part of the Gale Virtual Reference Database. 
Click here to visit the database.
More about Biology.

Is my textbook in the Library?

Required textbooks for courses are not generally purchased by the OCC Campus Libraries.
More Information about locating textbooks…