About Us: Library Policies

Current students, faculty, and staff at Harcum College can borrow books and DVDs from the library using their college ID.

Books can be borrowed for 3 weeks and can be renewed twice if needed. To renew, email library@harcum.edu or call 610-526-6085 before the due date. DVDs must be returned within 7 days and cannot be renewed.

Please return items on time to avoid fines. If something is damaged, lost, or stolen, a replacement fee may be charged to your account.

In our Course Reserves Collection, you'll find textbooks and materials chosen by your instructors.

To borrow something, just show your Harcum ID at the Circulation desk.

You can borrow one item at a time for up to 2 hours of in-library use. If you need it longer and it's not requested by anyone else, you can renew it. Remember, these materials must stay in the Library.

We have many journals available for your research needs. You will see the latest volumes/issues on our slatwall, organized by academic program and title. For older issues, just ask the library staff for help. Remember, journals can only be used in the library and cannot be taken out.

If you have questions about borrowing, using our journals, or anything else related to the library, feel free to contact us at library@arcum.edu or call 610-526-6085. 

Trout Library's Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service enables current students, faculty, and staff borrow books or access a copy of electronic articles from other libraries. To use this service, please complete the following:

• Fill out an Interlibrary Loan Request form for each item you want.

• Wait around a week (though time can vary) for your request to come in.

• Remember, course textbooks cannot be borrowed via ILL. Get these from the Campus Store's Follett website.

• If our Library already has the item and it is borrowed by someone else, ask us to hold it for you.

For ILL questions or help, email library@harcum.edu or call 610-526-6085. 

To create a supportive and welcoming library atmosphere conducive for student success, we have some rules to follow.

Here is how you can help:

• Keep noise levels low. Observe the signage as to the expectations of behavior in each distinct area in the library. This helps everyone focus on their work, whether they are studying, reading, or using our computers and other services.

• Set your phone to silent or vibrate. This makes sure the library stays a quiet place for learning.

• If you are watching videos or listening to audio, use headphones and keep the volume low. This way, you will not disturb others.

• Treat others respectfully and behave appropriately. Avoid loud, offensive language or actions, damaging library property, threatening behavior, or anything else that might disturb others or make others feel unsafe.

To manage printing resources effectively, Harcum College utilizes the PaperCut print management system.

At the beginning of every semester, students will receive an initial printing allotment of 500 pages. This allocation is intended to cover your academic printing requirements throughout the semester.

Once you have used up your allotment, you can add funds to your PaperCut account electronically. Simply visit Harcum Hatch, click on the Quicklinks tab, and scroll down and click on the link, Add Funds for Printing. You can use a credit or debit card to add funds to your PaperCut account.

To assist you in using PaperCut, here are some helpful resources:

• Printing with PaperCut
• How to Print with PaperCut
• How to Add Funds to PaperCut Account

If you have any questions or need further assistance, email library@harcum.edu or call 610-526-6085.

At the Trout Library, we want everyone to have a great user experience. This is why we have some rules about eating and drinking in the library.

• You can eat and drink in certain areas, like the Strauss Family Rotunda and the group study areas on the second floor. Just make sure your drinks are in covered containers and your snacks are in closed packages. This helps keep the library clean.

• Please throw away your trash in the bins located throughout the library. If you spill something, let the library staff know so they can address it quickly.

• There are also areas in the library where food and drinks are not allowed. This includes areas with computers and in the Technology Rooms. We want to avoid potential accidents that could damage our technology.

• We also do not allow food deliveries to the library. If you order food, please enjoy it somewhere else on campus.

 Our aim is to ensure the Trout Library remains a clean and resourceful environment for all.