Highline’s librarians hope you will be floored by what the library now has to offer. 

After being partially shuttered during the COVID pandemic, the library has reopened all of its floors with a wide array of resources and services for the campus community. 

The library is in Building 25 and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The library had to adjust to online resources when the Highline campus closed back in 2020 due to COVID. One huge change they made since then was having Zoom sessions with students for half an hour to help with schoolwork, said librarian Monica Twork. 

“Since COVID, librarians have been offering virtual research consultations (over Zoom). These are 30-minute, personalized research sessions based around students’ research and citation questions,” Twork said.

Another way of expanding their resources is by opening the entire building and giving students access to electronic books, study rooms, and a library pantry fridge available for everyone to use.

“This [spring] quarter, we have reopened the full library building (second, third, and fourth floors) to students. In addition to offering access to electronic books and databases (plus virtual research support), we have expanded resources to support students on campus, including group study rooms and a library pantry fridge with free drinks and food for Highline students, staff, and faculty,” said Twork. 

The second floor of the library has charger cords and textbooks for two hours of use. There is also the Highline Community Pantry open for everyone, said Twork. 

“At the second floor Circulation Desk, we have Android and iPhone charger cords and selected course textbooks available for two hours, in-library use. Search here to see if we have your course textbooks available. On the second floor, next to the library classroom (room 206A), the library partners with the Highline Community Pantry to provide students, staff, and faculty with access to free drinks and small snacks to power your study,” Twork said.

Twork said that near the Circulation Desk are new books for students to check out and read. 

“We have two new book displays by the Circulation Desk when you walk in the door,” Twork said. “One display is for books new to the library so you can check on what we have just gotten. The second new display is one we call ‘Fun Reads’ and has books for reading enjoyment. Think ghost stories, graphic novels, sci-fi, biographies, and more.” 

Digital resources for students are also something added to the library that students may not be taking advantage of. 

“For e-resources, one underused resource is our Gale Virtual Reference Library. This contains specialized encyclopedias, written by experts, on a wide range of subjects. Two of our newest ones are Teen Lives around the World: A Global Encyclopedia and Race and Ethnicity in America: From Pre-contact to the Present,” said Twork. 

Other floors have printers, computers, books, whiteboards, and areas to study, said Twork.

“On the east side of the second floor, the information commons have 75 computers available for student use including two ADA stations,” Twork said. “Reference desk is staffed by librarians who can help you with your research questions and technology needs. A black and white printer and color printer are available. Students receive $10 printing credit/quarter. Printing is 10 cents per page.” 

Even more is available on the third floor. 

“On the third floor, we have group study rooms. These are first come, first serve, so no reservations are required. On the 3rd floor east, there is the ESL collection for students learning English. These books are organized, and color coded by level: beginning, intermediate, and advanced,” said Twork. “On the third and fourth floors, we also have whiteboard tables and movable whiteboards. You can borrow dry erase markers at the Circulation Desk on the second floor. [And] on the fourth floor, we have quiet study spaces that can be a great place to get work done.”

The library is somewhere for students to get schoolwork done and usually the busiest during Fall quarter and when finals week rolls around, said Twork. 

“Fall quarter is typically our busiest time of the year. During each quarter, the first week is busy with questions about printing, class locations, etc. In the middle of each quarter, we answer a lot of questions about doing research for students’ assignments. And at the end of the quarter, we help a lot of students with citing sources while other students are busily studying for finals,” said Twork. 

And even those who are taking classes online will find that the reference librarians are extremely helpful with questions about their schoolwork. 

“Reference librarians help answer student questions about doing research for classes and finding books to read. Librarians also teach information literacy classes, along with other duties and campus activities. You can contact reference librarians at refhelp@highline.edu, call us at 206-592-3232. You can also chat with us (see the link here) or schedule a research consultation. You will find us at the reference desk on the east side of the 2nd floor,” said Twork.

Twork said the circulation staff are also a helping hand for checking out and answering questions about campus locations. 

“Circulation staff also coordinate our textbook reserves collection, and answer lots of questions about campus directions. You can reach the Circulation Desk at 206-592-3234, or send an email: libcirc@highline.edu,” said Twork. 

Highline students are welcome to come to the library anytime during open hours to see the changes since the pandemic. The reference librarians are always there to help, said Twork. 

“We want students to know that librarians are excited to help them with their questions, whether related to doing research, citing sources, or anything. If we do not know the answer, we will find it,” she said. 

For the libraries virtual and in-person hours, click here Library Hours.