Harper College
Library

FAQs

If you do not see your question answered here, you can search our additional Frequently Asked Questions as well as submit new questions to the Library.

See our current open hours for online and in-person services.

Circulation Desk: 847.925.6584

Scanners and printers (black/white and color) available at the Library. 

The ID Card Office is located in the Performing Arts Center (Building R). See their website for current hours. If you wish to request a student ID Card online, please fill out this form and a representative will respond with additional information within 2 Business Days.

Study rooms are available for Harper students. Quiet study space is available on the 3rd floor of F building.

Only currently enrolled Harper students may reserve study rooms in advance. All other visitors can request a room in person at a Library service desk. Students receive priority in room use, and visitors are not guaranteed time.

Media Type Students & Community Faculty & Staff

 
Mainstacks 4 Weeks 8 Weeks
New Books 4 Weeks 8 Weeks
Audio-Books  4 Weeks 8 Weeks
Newspapers  In-house In-house
DVDs and Blu-rays  4 Weeks 4 Weeks
CDs 1 Week 1 Week
Magazines 2 Weeks

2 Weeks

Material is placed on Reserve by instructors to assure its availability and accessibility for class use. Reserve items may be borrowed by Harper students, faculty and staff. Items on reserve may include:
Library material.

Some items are on reserve to prevent loss. The loan periods of Reserve materials are:

  • 2 hours: Materials are signed out for that period and are usually for Room Use Only.
  • Overnight Materials circulate for one day including the day the item is checked out. The following day is the due date.
  • 3 days: Materials circulate for three days including the day the item is checked out, the following day, and the third day, which is the due date.
  • 1 week: Materials circulate for seven days from the day checked out.

Limitations

  • Reserve material may not be renewed.
  • Faculty, staff, and administrators are required to adhere to reserve loan periods and restrictions.

Procedure for Putting Items on Reserve for Teachers

  • Collect the materials you want to put on reserve and bring them with you when you submit your Reserve request
  • Please remember that your students may not be the only patrons who wish to use items on a particular topic. We ask that you do not to put every item the Library owns, on a subject, on Reserve.
  • You may place your own materials on reserve, provided that it does not violate copyright law.
  • Fill out the reserve item form available at the circulation desk or using the following Form
  • Items gathered for reserve can usually be processed and given a status of "Reserve" within 24 hours of the Library's receiving it.
  • Please see our Course Reserves page for more.

Harper College district residents over the age of 14 are eligible to receive borrowing privileges.

To sign-up, visit the library and provide the following: proof of residency and photo identification. The following are accepted proofs of residency: driver’s license, state ID, passport, mortgage or lease papers, vehicle registration or insurance card, utility bill, or bank statement. All forms of identification used for proof of residency must have name and current address listed. Your library account will be renewed yearly with proof of residency. If you would like to request an account online, please complete the form here. 

Borrowing policies:

  • District residents can borrow a maximum of 10 items at a time.
  • Books, audiobooks, magazines DVDs, and CDs are all available for check-out.
  • Newspapers are available for in-library use.  

Other library services:

  • District borrowers may use computers and databases in person, but no remote access is available.
  • Printing is available at a cost; only credit cards are accepted as payment (no cash).
  • District borrowers can use study rooms, but no advanced reservations are available. Visitors can check room availability at a Library service desk in person. Students receive priority in room use, and visitors are not guaranteed time.
  • Course reserves and semester loan technology are only available to current Harper College students.

Not sure if you are in Harper’s district? Click here for more information on residency.

Use I-Share to search for library materials in Illinois, check the availability of items, and place requests.
You can also use the Interlibrary form.

The Make Shop is currently open by appointment only. The Make Shop is a collaborative work space for making, learning, exploring and sharing using high tech to no tech tools.  Users will be charged a small fee to cover equipment and supplies.  Equipment for the Make Shop will include;

  • Laser Cutter
  • Large Format Printer
  • Vinyl Cutter
  • Sewing Machines  
  • Laminator
  • Button maker 
  • 3D printer

Fees for the Make Shop are listed here. 

Current Harper students and staff can use all databases remotely. You will be prompted for your user name and password which is the same as you would use for MyHarper or Blackboard.

District borrowers, students from other I-Share institutions, and other visitors may use databases on campus using Library computers. Ask at a Library service desk if you need help logging in as a guest.

Apps are available for the following databases:

  • Creativebug
    • Android and iPhone apps available
    • Create an individual account through the database. Download the app and use the login with account information you created. 
  • EBSCO
    • Android and iPhone apps available
    • After downloading the app, select Harper College Library. Users will be prompted to log-in using their MyHarper ID and password. 
  • eRead Illinois (Boundless)
    • Android and iPhone apps available
    • After downloading the app, select Harper College Library. Users will be prompted to log-in using their MyHarper ID and password. 
  • Gale (Access My Library)
    • Android and iPhone apps available
    • After downloading the app, select Harper College Library. Contact the Library to obtain password needed to complete account set-up. 
  • Transparent Language
    • Android and iPhone apps available
    • Create an individual account through the database. Download the app and use the login with account information you created. 

 

Use I-Share: The I-Share integrated library system serves as the online public catalog for 91 CARLI member libraries. You can also use the Interlibrary loan form.

The Library is located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the David K. Hill Family Library (F) building. Campus Map

  • Helpful librarians, always ready to answer questions
  • Popular children’s books
  • Reference collection of encyclopedias, atlases and bilingual dictionaries 
  • Popular magazines and journals in Spanish and English
  • Paperback exchange
  • Select collection of ESL books including ESL readers
  • GED test preparation books
  • Electronic journals and databases
  • Computer/Internet access with MS Office software on select  computers
  • Free wireless Internet
  • Main campus library books available upon request
  • The daily Chicago Tribune

Bring your Harper ID! 

  • Materials available for checkout for current Harper students, faculty and staff only
  • Children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Español

  • >Los bibliotecarios están siempre dispuestos a ayudar y contestar sus preguntas 
  • Libros populares para niños  
  • Amplia Colección de enciclopedias, atlas y diccionarios bilingües 
  • Diarios y revistas populares en español e inglés 
  • Intercambio de libros encuadernados 
  • Seleccionada colección de libros de ESL incluyendo  la serie de ESL Readers
  • Libros para prepararse para el examen  de GED 
  • Diarios electrónicos y bases de datos 
  • Acceso a computadora e internet ciertas computadoras tienen el programa  de MS Office
  • Libros de la biblioteca principal de  Harper están disponibles a petición
  • Identificación de Harper requerida: unicamente estudiantes inscritos en Harper pueden sacar libros de la biblioteca
  • Niños  menores de 14 años  tienen que estar acompañados por un adulto.

1375 Wolf Road, Prospect Heights
847.925.6212
Map and Directions

Students can only use a credit card to pay for fines (which can be done in-person or over the phone) as well as printing (beyond the semester printing allotment).

 

Last Updated: 5/13/25