Library Information and Policies

• The Library is accessible via the elevator in the College Center.
• There is an additional elevator inside the Learning Commons. It goes only between the main and upper floors within the Learning Commons; it does not go down to the first floor of the College without staff assistance.
• A CC TV (image reader) reader is available.
• Televisions with closed captioning capabilities are available.
• Assistance is available at all times the library is open.
• Please contact a member of staff if you need assistance at any time.

Children under the age of 16 are welcome in the Learning Commons but must always be accompanied by an adult. The Learning Commons staff is not responsible for the safety or behavior of children left unattended and the Office of Public Safety may be called if children are disruptive.

Parkland College Policy and Procedure Manual Policy 5.04

It is understood that the mission of the college is to provide an atmosphere that is as free as possible from outside distractions and disruptions. In order to maintain this environment, unaccompanied/unauthorized minor children are not allowed on the campus. To protect children from possible injury and to maintain a safe, secure learning environment, children are not permitted in classes and are not to be left unsupervised anywhere on campus, including employee work areas.

Parkland Learning Commons is located on two floors of the Parkland College campus, directly above the College Center. The upper floor features reading tables and carrels in the only silent study area on campus.

The main floor has over 60 computer workstations, an electronic classroom, group study room, and is where the main service points in the Learning Commons are located.

Silent Study Floor

• The library maintains a silent study floor on the upper level.
• Patrons are expected to be respectful of others around them and monitor their own noise levels.
• Please turn off cell phone ringers and pagers, and take phone conversations in another area of the Learning Commons.
• If a patron has a concern about noise levels, they should contact a Learning Commons staff member immediately.

Main Floor

• Talking is permitted on the first and second floor. However, please be respectful of your fellow students.
• As a courtesy to others, please use your cell phone outside of the Learning Commons.
• Headphones are available at the Main Desk if you would like to listen to music or watch a DVD on your computer.

Parkland Learning Commons offers spaces for group study and collaboration. The primary purpose of these spaces is to allow groups of 2 or more to work together for education, collaboration, and study.

Make a reservation online here:  https://parkland.libcal.com/reserve/studyspaces

The Group Spaces Are:

1. R226: A large group room offering seating for 10, with two large monitor (one with WePresent software), a phone, and a wall-mounted whiteboard.
2. Study Booth A: Padded booth style seating with power and a monitor with WePresent software
3. Study Booth B: Padded booth style seating with power and a monitor with WePresent software

Usage Guidelines

• Reservations must be made online via the website, and are first come first served
• Reservations must be made with a valid Parkland or EIU email address and a contact number
• Reservations are a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 3 hours
• Reservations may be made up to 150 days in advance
• One reservation per person per day
• Reservations will be held for 10 minutes after start time.
• Doors must remain unlocked and windows uncovered while the room is in use
• Furniture must be replaced in its original configuration before vacating the room
• Rooms must be vacated 15 minutes before library closing
• Only dry-erase markers should be used on whiteboards; These are available to borrow
• The Learning Commons reserves the right to cancel any reservations which do not meet these guidelines

Other Considerations

• Unattended belongings may be removed and taken to Campus Safety
• Reservations for 2 or more will have priority.
• Individuals may be asked to seek alternate space in the main Learning Commons to accommodate larger groups. 

Learning Commons Classroom (R227)

Policy 

The Learning Commons Classroom (R227) contains: R227 R227

• 1 instructor computer workstation
• 20 student computer workstations
• PC Print station
• LCD projector
• whiteboard
• document camera

Use of the Classroom for Library Instruction

 Priority is given to scheduling the classroom for instruction by librarians.

To schedule a course-related library instruction session, complete the online request form at least one week prior to the desired date of instruction.

The librarians are available to discuss options for instruction and assist in choosing the most appropriate sources relevant to the needs of your course.

Faculty Use of the Learning Commons Classroom

• Faculty members may reserve the Learning Commons classroom.
• The Learning Commons classroom can be reserved no more than three sessions per semester for any individual class. Librarian-led classes do not count toward these limits.
• The Learning Commons classroom cannot be reserved as the regular meeting place for a class.

Reserving the Learning Commons Classroom

We require reservations be made no more than 48 hours in advance and no less than 2 hours in advance.
To make a reservation, contact the library (library@parkland.edu or 217/373-3839).

Student Use of the Learning Commons Classroom

When not in use for library instruction or otherwise reserved, the Learning Commons classroom may be open for general use by students.
Because of instructional demands, students may be asked to leave the classroom on short notice.
                                                                                                           

Covered beverages are allowed. Food is not allowed.

Updated 9/28/2022

DVDs and Streaming media can be viewed on most library computers.

Headphones are available for check-out at the Main Desk.

VHS tapes and Blu-Ray can be viewed on selected workstations. Ask at the Main Desk.

Media viewing for small and large groups can be arranged in the Group Study or Classroom. Ask at the Main Desk.

A security system is located at both the north and south exits. Chimes will sound if a patron exits with Learning Commons materials that are not properly checked out. The patron must then return to the Desk to have the materials checked out.

Personal bags may be searched by a member of the Learning Commons staff.

Patrons within the Learning Commons will need to finish what they are doing in order to exit promptly before closing time. While Learning Commons staff may give verbal reminders shortly before closing, the absence of a reminder does not absolve patrons of the responsibility for exiting the Learning Commons in a timely manner.

In order to facilitate the smooth closing of the Learning Commons, staff requests the following:

• Patrons using computers must save and/or print 15 minutes prior to closing to ensure that they get the material they need and that there is time to address any computer or printer problems that might arise.
• All items to be checked out must be brought to the Desk 15 minutes prior to closing.
• All photocopying should be completed 15 minutes prior to closing.

For our scheduled hours of operation, see Hours.

Contact the Learning Commons Associate Dean's Office at 217/351-2365.

• Reading Lounge
• International Lounge
• Magazine Lounge

Exhibits and displays are an integral part of supporting and publicizing the many and varied information resources available.

The primary goals of exhibits and displays are: 

• To highlight past scholarship and encourage future scholarship.
• To highlight alternative and unique topics for investigation.
• To educate patrons about new methods of research.
• To publicize libraries, library collections, and campus resources
• To enhance the visual atmosphere of the Learning Commons.

To achieve our goals Parkland Learning Commons has established these policies and procedures: 

• Contact the Learning Commons at 217/373-3839 to schedule a display. If requests to display in the library are received from individuals or organizations not associated with the library, the Display Coordinator will consult with the Learning Commons Associate Dean.
• The Learning Commons reserves the right to refuse to host an exhibit for any reason.
• Displays should be put up and taken down on the approved dates.  Contact the coordinator if you find you are unable to keep these dates.
• All materials must be removed promptly at the close of the exhibit period. The person or organization putting up the display is responsible for ensuring this has been accomplished.
• Displays created by non-Learning Commons individuals or organizations must include the name of the responsible individual or sponsoring organization and must be clearly visible within the display area.
• The Learning Commons cannot assume responsibility for damage or theft of any item exhibited. All items placed in the Learning Commons are done so at the owner's risk.

Responsibilities of the Display Coordinator:

• Maintain the display schedule.
• Act as liaison between the Learning Commons and others.