Phone: (619) 482-6397

The library is located in the Learning Resource Center (Building 64) on the Chula Vista campus. See the Library’s website www.swccd.edu/library for operating days and hours. Its resources, including in excess of 85,000 books, approximately 25,000 electronic books, and approximately 90 current periodical subscriptions, are available to current Southwestern College students, staff, faculty, and to adult residents of San Diego County. Library collection information may be accessed through the easy-to-use online catalog on the library website.

In addition, students have access to online databases of full text articles from thousands of magazines, journals, newspapers, and other information resources. Internet access is available for research purposes. Interlibrary Loan Services are available for students needing materials from other collections.

Students can access media materials by searching the library’s online catalog. They may use media in group viewing rooms on the second floor.

Professional librarians are on duty during open hours to assist library users. Appointments may be made for individual reference service. Instructors may make appointments for customized orientations for their classes and are encouraged to do so early in the semester. These orientations are available in the library's classroom, the instructor’s classroom or via videoconferencing. The librarians also teach credit courses on college-level research skills (LIB 110) and on research using the Internet (LIB 151).

Located on the top floor of the library, the computer commons offers students access to standard computer tools for class work and research. Students have access to the online databases, the Internet, the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), the library online catalog, and electronic books. Scanners, assistive technology hardware and software, photocopy machine, and campus printing stations are available in the library.

The student ID card is used to borrow library materials. Students are responsible for all library materials borrowed with their cards. Lost ID cards should be reported immediately to the staff at the library circulation desk.

The library continuously adds new materials and new services in order to contribute to student academic success. Library services are also available at the National City, Otay Mesa, and San Ysidro Higher Education Centers.