Q: I need research help. What should I do?
A: The library’s chat line is open 24/7 to assist you. You can access online chat from the Library website at library.miracosta.edu. Please note that the librarian responding to your chat session may be from another institution. Our chat service has Zoom incorporated, so that is also an option for interacting with the librarian.
Non-MiraCosta librarians on chat are not able to offer extensive citation review. If you would like a MiraCosta librarian to review your citations, make sure to initiate a chat session while we are on chat:
Library Items can be requested through the Library's OneSearch tool. After the item has been requested, it will be sent via US Postal Service mail. During this time, students will be allowed to borrow up to 5 items at a time. Library items for check out include:
Note: Textbooks on Reserve cannot be checked out at this time. Please see our Textbooks page for more information.
Books and DVDs can be returned at any time to either of the drop boxes at the main Oceanside campus (The San Elijo campus and the Community Learning Center drop boxes are unavailable at this time due to construction). There is a drive up drop box in the main parking lot (1B) across from the police station. The other drop box is directly in front of the Library and Information Hub building.
Checking Out
The library has a limited number of laptops and hot spots available for credit students to check out. If you are a credit student, please submit a CARE Referral form.
If you are a noncredit student who needs a laptop, please use the CLC Laptop Request form.
Returning
All laptops and hot spots must be returned in person. To set up an appointment to return these items, please contact library@miracosta.edu
When returning these items, you must follow these guidelines:
Technical Issues
If you are having any technical issues with your laptop, please contact the Student Help Desk.
MiraCosta Wi-Fi
Students who have access to a car may park their car on campus to access Wi-Fi between the hours of 8am – 5pm. To support social distancing, students must remain in their cars. At the OCN campus, please park in front of the Admin building. At the CLC, please park near the main building. At the SAN campus, please park in front of the library (west parking lot).
Public Free Hotspots
Xfinity WiFi Public Hotspots: All 33 Public Hotspots are now open to everyone on the “xfinitywifi” SSID (name of the Wifi-network). Public hotspots can be found in small/medium businesses and outdoors in commercial areas. For more information on available public hotspots visit https://wifi.xfinity.com/. Please enter your zip code to get locations near you and use the above password for the locations.
Discounted Internet Service
To help students, AT&T is expanding it's Access program for landline-based internet service to include households with members on the free and reduced lunch program. Under this program, households receive AT&T’s high speed internet service for just $10 per month with no installation or equipment fees. Students who would like more information about Access from AT&T can visit att.com/access or call 855.220.5211.