Waubonsee Libraries
Waubonsee Libraries collection and services support teaching, learning, and research for students, staff, faculty, and the community.
The library's policies and procedures ensure an equitable and inclusive environment for all members of the college community.
Waubonsee College Libraries supports Waubonsee Community College’s mission statement in providing exceptional learning through accessible, equitable, and innovative education. We are committed to enriching the lives of our students, employees, and community by working together to create opportunities to discover new passions, share knowledge, and embrace diversity.
If you have questions or suggestions, please visit us at any campus library or contact us by phone or email.
Honoring James Todd
On Wednesday, July 21, 1999, at 5:30 p.m. the Library at the Sugar Grove Campus was officially dedicated the "Todd Library" in honor of retired Waubonsee Board of Trustees member, Mr. James E. Todd.
View the dedication board resolution (pdf).
Course Material Collection
Waubonsee Community College
Purpose
The purpose of the Course Reserve Collection is to provide students with access to required or supplemental course materials for their academic courses. This policy outlines the guidelines and procedures for students, faculty, and staff regarding the use of materials placed in this collection.
This policy applies to all materials placed on reserve in the Waubonsee Community College library, including textbooks, journals, multimedia resources, and any other materials designated by faculty for course use.
- Course Materials: Items selected by instructors for use by students in their courses. These materials may include textbooks, readings, DVDs, and other educational resources.
- Course Item: A physical or digital resource that is set aside for student access, typically for a limited period of time, to support a specific course or academic need. This can include anatomy models, osteological reproductions, supplemental kits, and any other physical or digital resources designated by faculty.
Faculty Responsibilities
Placing Materials on Reserve: Faculty members are encouraged to place materials on reserve as early as possible before the start of the term. Materials can be submitted throughout the semester by requesting through the library’s request form, coming into the library to request item(s), or emailing Library Services Specialist Kimberlee King at kking@waubonsee.edu.
- Types of Materials: Faculty may place the following types of materials on reserve:
- Textbooks (if available)
- Course packets or readings
- DVDs, CDs, or multimedia
- Other supplemental materials
- Copyright Compliance: Faculty must ensure that materials placed on reserve adhere to copyright laws. The library will assist faculty with questions about fair use and copyright restrictions.
Library Responsibilities
- Processing Course Materials: Upon receiving materials, the library staff will catalog, label, and prepare items for student use. All course materials will be clearly marked with course information, including the course title, instructor’s name, and the reserve duration.
- Availability of Materials: Materials will be available during library hours, subject to availability, and loan durations will vary based on instructor preferences.
- Physical Reserves: If not instructed by faculty, physical course items will automatically be placed with a loan period of 2 hours. If instructed by a faculty member, the library can change the loan period to 2 days, 3 days, 7 days, or 14 days. Course Materials with longer loan periods will not be subject to renewals.
- Maintenance and Updates: The library will review reserve materials at the beginning of each term and will update or remove outdated or unneeded items. If items were provided by faculty, the library will reach out to have the faculty member determine if the item should be returned to them, discarded, or kept in the collection. Items 5 years old that are outdated and do not circulate will be discarded accordingly.
Student Responsibilities
- Borrowing Materials: Course materials are available for students to borrow in person. Borrowing privileges are limited to a set time period to ensure that all students have equal access to course resources.
- Loan Periods: Students must comply with the specified loan period. Failure to return materials on time may result in fines. Course Materials with longer loan periods will not be subject to renewals.
- Care of Materials: Students are expected to handle course materials with care. Lost or damaged items must be reported to library staff, and students may be responsible for replacement costs.
Circulation Guidelines
- Physical Course Loans: Materials are checked out at the library’s circulation desk, and the following rules apply:
- 2-Hour Loan: Items must be used within the library.
- Longer Loans: Items can be taken out of the library but must be returned by the due time/date. Course Materials with longer loan periods will not be subject to renewals.
Course Items Removal
The library will go through the collection each term to determine if the items are still up to date. Any items that are not current or have not been requested to be kept by faculty, the library will discard them and replace them with current editions. If the item is outdated but provided by faculty members, the library will reach out to determine whether the item(s) should be discarded, returned, or kept in the collection. Items 5 years old that are outdated and do not circulate will be discarded accordingly.
Limits on Course Materials
- Quantity of Materials: The library reserves the right to limit the number of items placed on reserve for each course based on space and available resources. Faculty are encouraged to place essential materials on reserve to accommodate the majority of students.
- Loan Limits: Students may be limited to borrowing only one item at a time from the reserves collection to ensure equal access.
Fees and Fines
- Overdue Fees: Late fees for overdue reserve items will be assessed based on the length of the loan period.
- Replacement Fees: Students who damage or lose a course reserve item will be charged for its replacement cost, including any applicable processing fees.
Contact Information
For more information or to place materials on reserve, faculty and students may contact the library at
- Email: kking@waubonsee.edu
- Phone: (630) 466-2400
- Locations: Sugar Grove Campus, Downtown Aurora Campus, Fox Valley Campus
Waubonsee Community College Needs-Based Technology Checkout Agreement
Waubonsee Community College (“WCC”) offers technology devices like laptops, hotspots, and webcams ("Equipment") to enrolled students to support their education and provide equal opportunities for success. This agreement outlines the responsibilities that students must accept when borrowing equipment from the college. By borrowing the equipment, you agree to follow the guidelines below, which include your responsibility to care for the device and understand the support options available if you encounter any issues.
Terms of Use
Eligibility: Our Needs-Based Technology Checkout Program provides students access to laptops, hotspots, and other essential technology to support academic success. This program is designed to assist currently enrolled students who may not have access to personal technology or reliable internet service at home.
Care and Responsibility:
You are responsible for taking care of the equipment and preventing damage caused by extreme temperatures, liquids (including cleaning products), falls or impacts, and theft.
You are responsible for any damage to or loss of the equipment, even if someone else causes the damage. To avoid this, please do not lend the equipment to others—it is meant for your use only.
Saving Your Work:
Files, software, and bookmarks may be saved to the device. The college is not responsible for any lost files. We recommend backing up important files to a separate storage device (like a USB flash drive or cloud storage).
Changes to Equipment:
Do not make changes or additions to the equipment, like adding memory, removing WCC labels, or installing games or additional software. If you need specific software or tools for your classes, contact the WCC Libraries (library@waubonsee.edu) or WCC Technical Assistance Center (tac@waubonsee.edu) for support.
Return of Equipment, Repairs, and Financial Responsibility
The equipment belongs to Waubonsee Community College. You agree to return it to any campus library by the return date.
If the equipment stops working or is damaged, please contact the WCC Technical Assistance Center (tac@waubonsee.edu) immediately to arrange for repair or replacement.
If the item is lost or you believe it might be, please contact the WCC Libraries (library@waubonsee.edu) immediately to discuss next steps and explore options for resolving the situation.
Students are responsible for the costs of repair or replacement if the equipment is lost or damaged. The following charges may apply:
Equipment Type | Cost |
Laptop |
Up to, but not to exceed, $350 |
Chromebook |
Up to, but not to exceed, $150 |
Wifi Hotspot |
Up to, but not exceed, $50 |
Failure to return the equipment will result in a hold being placed on your student account. This hold will block your ability to register for classes until resolved. You may also incur charges for long-overdue equipment.
Financial Hardship:
If you are unable to cover the costs for damages or replacement due to financial hardship, you are encouraged to reach out to the college to explore options for resolving any outstanding issues. This is part of your responsibility as a borrower of the equipment, and we are committed to ensuring a fair process for all students facing financial challenges.
Acknowledgment of Policies
By borrowing equipment from Waubonsee Community College, you agree to the following:
If you stop attending Waubonsee for any reason, you will return the equipment in the same condition it was issued.
You are fully responsible for the device and accessories (chargers, etc.) while they are in your care, including any repair or replacement costs if they are damaged or lost.
You will abide by WCC’s Information Technology Acceptable Usage Agreement, found here: https://www.waubonsee.edu/student-experience/technical-support/information-technology-acceptable-usage-agreement.
You will return all equipment and accessories by the agreed-upon due date, or sooner if requested by WCC. If charges are incurred, you may request a review of your situation through the Student Account Appeal process. Please note that submitting an appeal does not automatically result in a reduction or waiver of charges. Each appeal is carefully reviewed to ensure a fair and equitable assessment of all individual circumstances.
Waubonsee Community College is not responsible for any loss resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed deliveries, lost data, or service interruptions caused by user errors, omissions or reasons beyond the college’s control.
Support for Students
Waubonsee recognizes that unexpected issues can arise. If you are having trouble returning the equipment, or if you are facing financial hardship, please know there are support systems in place to help. Our goal is to make sure that students can continue their education without unnecessary barriers.
For any questions or concerns about the Needs-Based Technology Checkout Program, contact Jessica Chrisman-DeNegri, Student Technology and Library Services Manager, at jchrismandenegri@waubonsee.edu.
The Waubonsee Libraries have adopted the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights.
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.
"Library Bill of Rights," American Library Association, June 30, 2006
Mission Statement
Waubonsee Libraries build and maintain a dynamic collection of library materials and resources that meet the evolving information needs of students, staff, faculty, and the community.
Vision Statement
Waubonsee Community College Libraries will become the intellectual heart of the institution by fostering an environment of respect and providing diverse and dynamic library services to enrich current learning and shape future educational success.
About the Library of Things
The Library of Things at Waubonsee Community College Libraries is a circulating collection of non-traditional, practical-use items designed to support academic success, hands-on learning, personal enrichment, and sustainability among students, faculty, and staff. This collection operates under the broader guidelines of the Waubonsee Community College Library Collection Development Procedure. This document outlines specific considerations for developing and managing the Library of Things.
Objectives
The Library of Things aims to:
- Support hands-on, project-based learning across academic disciplines.
- Promote sustainability and reduce resource waste among the campus community.
- Provide equitable access to tools and equipment that may not be otherwise affordable or readily available.
- Foster innovation, creativity, and exploration through access to technology, materials, and kits.
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and skill development.
- Enhance student life and promote wellness through access to recreational and self-care resources.
Collection Scope
The Library of Things collection may include, but is not limited to:
- Technology & Electronics
- Academic Tools
- Arts & Crafts
- Recreational Equipment
- Home Essentials Wellness
- Health
The collection is curated with attention to relevance, safety, and space limitations. Items may be housed in designated areas depending on usage type, age appropriateness, and accessibility. Some items may require the borrower to be 18 years or older and/or sign a usage agreement.
Criteria for Selection and Evaluation
In addition to the library’s general selection criteria, Things must meet the following standards for inclusion:
- Supports at least two of the collection’s stated objectives.
- Demonstrates value for instructional, extracurricular, or personal enrichment purposes.
- Can be stored and maintained within available space and budget.
- Does not require extensive upkeep or consumables with unsustainable replacement costs.
- Has available funding through the library’s budget, grants, or donations.
- Includes clear instructions for use, or staff can provide guidance.
- Can be used safely and reasonably by individuals without specialized training.
Patron Suggestions
Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to suggest items for the Library of Things that support academic or campus life. Suggestions will be evaluated using the selection criteria and as space and funding allow.
Collection Maintenance
Items in the Library of Things will be regularly reviewed. The library will:
- Remove items that show signs of wear, have low usage, or become obsolete.
- Replace popular items as funds allow.
- Maintain accurate inventory and update usage instructions as needed.
Library Use of Things
The library reserves the right to:
- Withdraw items temporarily for instructional use, workshops, or demonstrations.
- Repair or update items as necessary.
- Restrict access to certain items based on availability, safety, or educational priority.
Due to the nature of the collection, Library of Things items are not eligible for Interlibrary Loan