Services for Students

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Getting Started

To start exploring the resources for students and library online resources, all you need is your Colby username and password.

Colby Card

Use your Colby Card to borrow books at any Colby library or to pay for photocopies or library fines.

Books and More!

Renew your books in your online library account using your Colby username and password. See student loan periods and policies here.

To request books from Bates and Bowdoin, click on the CBB Request button, which can be found in an item record in the Books and More Search (CBB catalog), and then enter the barcode numbers only (no letters) on the back of your Colby Card.

Laptops and More for Loan

Explore items (laptops, cameras, etc.) available for loan at the library.

Borrowing/Accessing Materials from other Libraries

Use our Interlibrary Loan service to borrow books or other materials or to get copies of articles from other libraries.

Course Reserves

Faculty members sometimes put materials (books, DVDs, etc.) on “reserve,” meaning students can only borrow these materials in the course, usually for a shortened loan period. Search for reserves here and from the home page using the reserve search. Additionally, faculty members will sometimes put course textbooks (books that offer students a comprehensive compilation of content) on reserve. Examples of these textbooks would be textbooks used in science and language classes. The library currently does not purchase these types of textbooks for loan.

Work with Subject Specialists

Subject Specialists are available to help you learn to find books, articles, data, websites, and other resources for your papers or projects. Any student, whether on or off campus
email a librarian to set up a meeting to help with your projects!

Use our Research Help page for tips and guides on student research. We’ve collected some of our best advice, databases, and guides here.

Our Special Collections librarians would love you to use our unique digital archives and old manuscripts. See their resources and work opportunities here.

Support for Senior Year Honors or Senior Research Projects

If you are pursuing an Honors or Senior Scholars project, meet with a subject specialist for suggestions on research, resources, and how to deposit your finished thesis with the library.

Using Our Study Spaces

Colby has two libraries with many spaces for quiet studying. These include Miller Library’s quiet Reading Room, second and third floors, and the Bixler Art and Music Library’s relaxing atmosphere and media lab for access to design and music programs.

Please set your cell phones to silent or vibrate (policy). Review our policies for using the spaces (food, music, etc.).

Reserve a Study Carrel/Desk for a Long-term Use

Depending on space, we sometimes can offer 10-12 individual desks (carrels) and a personal locker for student use on the third floor of Miller. We also have individual storage lockers if you do not need a private desk. There are limited spots, and students should show demonstrated need (senior thesis, major research project, documented learning differences). To apply for using a study space, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Dean of Studies Office at x4560 for an application.

Printers

Do you need to print from your laptop, or have other questions about printing? Check out the ITS online help page.