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Borrowing from the Library

Borrowing Privileges

Borrowing privileges are for currently enrolled (in good standing) Rio Hondo College students, CSULA students, and current Rio Hondo College staff and faculty.

Available to Borrow

Books, Chromebooks, calculators, and headphones.

How to Borrow

To check out any item, you will need to present your Rio Hondo Student ID card OR a government issued ID with your Student ID number OR a government issued ID with proof of registration.

To check out devices such as a Chromebook, PC laptop, and/or calculator, you need to submit a Technology Reservation Request. To access and submit the form online, click here.

Loan Periods

You can borrow up to 10 items at any one time.

You can keep most books for three (3) weeks. Some testing books only go out for one (1) week.

You can keep a Chromebook and/or PC laptop for one (1) week.

You can keep a calculator and/or headphones for one (1) semester.

Reserve Textbooks from the Circulation Desk are in-house use only (they cannot leave the library) and are typically for 2-hour checkout.

In-House Materials

Reference books, Reserve Textbooks, all magazines, newspapers, and journals are for in-library use only.

About Reserve Textbooks

Reserve Textbooks are books (and other items) reserved by instructors for their students’ use. They are usually the textbook(s) for that class. You can request these books from the Circulation Desk.

Reserve Textbooks stay in the library and can be borrowed for two (2) hours only.

There are exceptions allowing students to borrow a book for 1, 3, or 7 days, but these are very rare and only for a couple of classes.

The following information will help you get a Reserve Textbook:

  • Your Class ID number (Engl 101, Math 50, Soc 102, etc.) – all Reserves are shelved by class ID.
  • The name of the book – some classes have only a single book, but others can have up to two shelves worth of them, so the name is very important.
  • The author of the book – and some classes have several different books, all with the same name (Math courses, especially), so an author will help us find the right one.
  • The edition of the book – not always needed, but some instructors only want you using a specific edition of the textbook. Sometimes, we only carry older editions. Check with your instructor on which edition is okay to use.

Ask a staff member at the Circulation Desk for a Reserve Textbook and have the above information ready.

Renewing a Book

Items can only be renewed once and only if someone has not placed a hold on the book.

If the item is not overdue, call the Circulation Desk (562-908-3416) and have your student ID number available.

You can renew at the Circulation Desk anytime. If the book is on time, you only need your Student ID.

If the book is overdue, you will need to bring it in with you before it can be renewed.

Overdue Book(s)

The Library does not charge daily fines for overdue items. However, items not returned within 28 calendar days of the due date are presumed lost. Students with items presumed lost will be responsible for paying the full replacement cost plus a $10 non-refundable processing fee for each item checked out.

Note that the Library only accepts cash or checks – no credit or debit cards can be used.

Lost Book(s)

If you have lost a library book, you pay the cost of the book plus a $10 non-refundable processing fee. If you later find the book (within one year) and return it, we will refund you the cost of the book only.

Returning Books

There is a book drop located inside the library at the Circulation Desk. If the library is closed, you can return books in the outside book drop (see pictures below).