February is Black History Month! The Library has several online resources for black history. Check out these and more on the alphabetical list of databases from K College Library:

• African American Biographical Database
  From the famous to the everyday person, this database includes profiles and full-text sketches providing both biographical detail and illuminating narratives chronicling the lives of Black Americans.
• African American Historical Newspapers
  Includes long-running African American newspapers throughout the U.S.
• African American Historical Serials Collection
  Serials (minutes, reports, etc.) on religious life & organizations, published 1829 -1922.
• Black Abolitionist Papers
  Presents the massive, international impact of African American activism against slavery, in the writings and publications of the activists themselves.
• Black Drama
  Contains plays written from the mid-1800s to the present by more than 200 playwrights from North America, English-speaking Africa, the Caribbean, and other African diaspora countries.
• Black Studies Center
  Cross-searchable gateway to Black Studies including scholarly essays, recent periodicals, historical newspaper articles, reference books, and much more.
• Black Thought and Culture
  Non-fiction published works of leading African Americans.

The Library of Congress recently launched their first ever LGBTQ+ Digital Collections! 

• The LGBTQ+ Studies Web Archive
• The LGBTQ+ Politics and Political Candidates Web Archive​

Two related collections have also launched: The Women’s and Gender Studies Web Archive and the Zine Web Archive. 

These collections are added to daily.

Did you know that the library has portable power stations for you to check out? These batteries allow you to plug in and sit in places that don’t have a convenient power source.

Take one to class, to the quad, to your favorite quiet spot in the library! Charge up and stop worrying about plugging in.

Ask for the portable power station at the Library Circulation Desk. They circulate for four hours, and will help you POWER THROUGH Winter Quarter!

The Library will remain open regular hours on MLK Day (January 20): 8am-2am.

Enjoy the day!

Did you know that the Library has many textbooks available on Reserve? We may have the book you need for your class — check our catalog and find out!

Reserve materials circulate for two hours at a time – just enough for you to get your reading done and share with others. Questions? Let us know how we can help! Email us at library@kzoo.edu.

On January 1, 2020, the Kalamazoo College Library ended fines on overdue materials for students!

Overdue fines have been justified as a motivation for borrowers to return materials on time. Yet research shows that people unable to pay fines stop using the library.

What does this mean for Kalamazoo College students, staff, and faculty?

• No more daily fines for overdue materials owned by Kalamazoo College Library!
• You will continue to receive reminders to return overdue materials
• You are still responsible for returning materials on time
• You are still responsible for paying for any lost or damaged materials

What library materials still accrue fines?

• Course Reserves, Power Banks, and other materials with limited time checkouts will still accrue fines at $1.00 per hour. Recalled materials accrue fines at 25 cents per day.
• Interlibrary Loan materials will continue to accrue overdue fines and fees
• Media Services, the Center for New Media Design, and other departments may still charge overdue fines for their materials, as determined by individual departments

What happens when Library items are overdue?

• If materials are lost, damaged, or 45 days overdue, you will be billed a $45 replacement cost per item, plus a $15 processing fee
• Charges for lost or damaged materials are sent to the Business Office monthly. The Business Office bills student accounts for the replacement charges
• If library items are returned after a student account is billed, students need to speak with the circulation supervisor in order for a credit to be issued

For more information about our circulation policies, check out the section of our web page on Overdue and Lost Items.

Welcome back, students! Ready to get to work? We are here to help!

The Library’s Winter Term hours are:

January 6 – March 14, 2020:

Mon– Thurs: 8 a.m – 2 a.m.;
Fri: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.;
Sat: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.;
Sun: 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.

Library hours for winter break are:

December 2-20:
Mon. – Fri.: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Sat. – Sun.: CLOSED

December 21, 2019 – January 1, 2020: CLOSED

January 2-5:
Mon. – Fri.: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Sat. – Sun.: CLOSED

Academic Term Hours Resume January 6, 2020

Congrats on finishing up those finals! The library hours for break are:

Wednesday, 11/27: 8 am – 3 pm;

Thursday, 11/28 – Sunday, 12/1: CLOSED.

Winter break hours start on Monday, December 2.

The Library has modified hours for Fall Finals:

Sunday, 11/24: 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.;
Monday, 11/25: 8 a.m. – 2 a.m.;
Tuesday, 11/26: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Good luck – you’ll do great!!