Training & Development Library

News Flash:

Read the blog for news on new videos, library closures, helpful tips and reminders, and more!


For questions about the Training and Development Library, contact
Marcia Braun
(marcia.braun@hccs.edu)
713-718-6139
What is the Training & Development Library?
The HCCS library originally started a film and video collection for our faculty to use in the classroom. As area businesses became aware of the extensive collection of business training films, they began to ask for borrowing privileges. The Training & Development Library was established to serve both the college and the Houston-area business community. Both groups benefit with a larger collection since we use the library's existing staff and structure, and spend most of the membership fees on new videos.
How the Training & Development Library Works
For an annual tax-deductible membership fee, organizations can check out both books and video training programs. The annual fee is the only charge -- we do not have rental fees. Because the usual loan period for videos is 4 days, membership is restricted to the Houston area. We are not able to deliver or ship. Members either come themselves or send a delivery service to pick up materials. Even with these restrictions, members find it easier and cheaper to use the Training & Development Library than to rent or purchase videos from various distributors around the country.
 
Since we are a college library -- not a video store -- we usually have only one copy of each video. Our reservation system encourages members to plan ahead and reserve desired videos for a particular date. To keep the system working efficiently, everyone must cooperate by returning videos on time. We do not charge fines, but the library can stop lending to any group which does not return items by the due date.
Who May Use the Library?
Houston area businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies.
 
Sorry, individuals may not join.
What Does It Cost?
Annual fees are on a sliding scale and based on the number of employees.
 
Membership fees are tax-deductible. Tax I.D. #: 74-170-9152. Companies that have had HCC on-site programs within the past 12 months may take a 10% discount.
Number of employees Profit organization Non-profit organization
1-99 $400 $300
100 - 499 $500 $350
500- 999 $625 $500
1000+ $725 $600
Loan Periods
Check out up to 5 videos at a time.
  • 4-day loan periods, not counting weekends or holidays.
  • For example, for a video picked up on Wednesday, we count Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Monday, when it is to be returned.
  • If you need a longer loan period, make the request when you make the reservation.
  • Please don’t wait until the due date to ask for an extension. That video may already be reserved for someone else.
Service Hours
Reserve or check out videos during these hours:
Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
(Schedule varies between semesters)
How Do I Select Videos?
  1. Go online to the library webpage: http://library.hccs.edu/
  2. In the "Services" dropdown, choose "Training and Development Library." Then click on "Search the . "
How Do I Check Out Videos?
  1. FAX in your requests. Fax 713-718-6154. Be sure to include all of the following:
    Your name and company name
    VTC numbers and titles
    The date when you will picking them up.
    Any special needs, such as a different return date.
    For your protection, the library will only check out materials to people who are on your list of authorized borrowers.
  2. We will confirm by FAX or phone. Please FAX at least one day ahead of pick-up.
  3. Come in person to pick up videos, or send a delivery service, or send a friend. Anyone can pick up and return videos, but only the people on the list of authorized borrowers can reserve videos.  Make sure that everyone involved knows that they “absolutely, positively” must return videos on time.

It is a good idea to reserve videos a week or two in advance since we often have only one copy.  Videos may be reserved up to 2 months in advance.

How Long Can I Keep Videos?
Videos can be checked out for 4 workdays at a time. This includes pick-up and return days. Weekends and holidays are not counted. For example, videos picked up on Tuesday are due back on Friday (or Monday, in the summer); those picked up on Thursday are due on Tuesday.
 
Occasionally members will need a video for a longer time. The Library staff tries to work with you to meet your needs and, if possible, they will extend the checkout period. Please ask when you reserve the video -- don’t wait until the day it’s due.
How and Where Do I return Library Materials?
  1. Pick up and return videos at the Library Circulation Desk, 2nd floor, San Jacinto Memorial Building, 1300 Holman.
  2. Do not mail videos. If you use a delivery service, the service must know both the borrower's name and the organization's name to pick up videos.
  3. Return all guides and booklets that are part of the video package.
    Report any problems with videos to the Library staff.
Resources
  • Over 2000 videocassette training programs (1/2 inch VHS).
  • Printed catalogs and newsletters listing all available business videos. There is an online catalog and also a printed catalog. Newsletters updating the print catalog are mailed to the contact person and up to four borrowers several times a year.
  • Catalog and newsletter are available on the Internet.
  • There are two ways to search online.
     
    Go online to the library webpage: http://library.hccs.edu/
     
    In the "Services" dropdown, choose "Training and Development Library." Then click on "Search the Catalog for Videos."
     
  • Newsletters are mailed to the contact person and the first 4 borrowers. If you need more newsletters, ask for them when you pick up your next video.
  • Books: Member organizations may check out up to five books for two-week loan periods.
What are Member Responsibilities?
As a member, you accept responsibility for all materials borrowed, and will be expected to reimburse the college for replacement costs if any are lost or damaged.
 
If you have overdue materials, your organization will not be allowed to borrow anything else.
 
Your entire organization's borrowing privileges may be suspended for two late returns. Members agree to return videos on time to protect other members who may have reserved those videos and scheduled training.
 
You tell us which people in your organization are authorized to borrow, and you designate a contact person who assumes primary responsibility for all company borrowing. This is the person our staff contacts about any problems.
 
Your contact person must notify us in writing to authorize additional borrowers during the year. No one from your organization will be allowed to reserve or check out materials unless you have authorized them to do so. You also need to notify us if your contact person leaves and a new one is assigned.
 
Professional organizations may only borrow videos for the use of the organization itself. They may not act as an intermediary and borrow videos for their members' use.
 
You may not:

  • Charge admission.
  • Duplicate or copy videos (Title 17, United States Code, Sections 501 & 506.)
  • Take videos out of the Houston area.
  • Mail videos.
  • Act as a middleman and loan videos to another organization.

Please be considerate of other borrowers and the library staff:

  • Plan carefully when you choose your checkout dates.
  • Avoid schedule changes on reserved videos.
  • If you must cancel, please do so early.
  • Don't monopolize one title -- the library may have to restrict the number of uses by one borrower of heavily used titles.
  • Don’t wait until the due date and ask for an extension. Instead, ask for a longer loan period when you reserve the videos.
Parking
Afternoons are the easiest times to find parking. There are two large lots in front of the main building. The west lot has visitor spaces in the front row next to the main building. There is another lot behind the main building, entered from Alabama Street, as well as neighborhood metered street parking.

From the front lot, enter the San Jacinto building through the center set of doors and come to the second floor to find the library. (The west set of doors leads to a staircase with no entry on the second floor. You won't go wrong if you use the center doors and the main staircase.)

From the back lot, off of Alabama St., come in the sliding door by the patio, and up to second floor.

Handy Names and Numbers
  • Marcia Braun, Librarian 713-718-6139
    Marcia orders the videos, previewing most, so she can often help with selection. Call her for order information if you want to order your own copies of your favorite programs or if you have suggestions for videos that you would like the library to order.
  • Circulation Staff 713-718-6133
    Many people answer phones and reserve videos. Even though you may get acquainted with individuals, please accept help from whoever answers the phone.
  • FAX 713-718-6154