Collections

Overview of the Library Collections

The Library’s collection and services are expected to meet the needs of students. In addition to collecting materials supporting the two-year community college curricula, this collection includes large fiction, literature, history, and art sections and contains extensive historical materials about Columbia and Greene Counties. The CGCC Library participates in the SUNYConnect initiative to share collections across the State University of New York. The Exlibris library services platform, Alma and Primo, is used for administrative and research needs to search and manage collections within the SUNY libraries.

The physical collection is approximately 65,000 books in addition to print periodical subscriptions, archival microfilm, and DVDs. Special collections include the Ettelt Children’s Collection and Young Adult, Faculty Course Reserves, lease subscription plan for hot titles, Local History/Rare Books, digital heritage, signed local authors’ collection, and a collection of local maps. The various collections are arranged according to the Library of Congress classification system, with the exception of Faculty Reserves and the map collections.

Additionally, the library subscribes to dozens of online databases. These databases provide access to scholarly, magazine, and newspaper articles, most of which are available in full text. Database access also includes e-books, streaming video and audio that support research, teaching, and learning. We participate in SUNY-wide shared subscriptions to databases, allowing for greater library resource access.

Audiobook Collection

This collection includes audiobooks in CD format supporting curricular offerings to allow for multiple learning styles and support for commuter students and faculty.

DVD Collection

The DVD Collection is comprised of documentaries, classics and materials to support the curricula. A special concentration within this collection will include some of the greatest American and International films of all time. Our DVD collection is on the 1st floor with the McNaughton Collection.

Ettelt Children’s Collection and Young Adult

The Children’s and Young Adult collection began in Fall 2000 in honor of retired librarian, Harold Ettelt. We hope to keep this teaching and browsing collection growing with the help of donations. We focus on collecting major award-winning titles and purchase additional materials that supports studies in education, child development, math, and science. We collect books with racial and ethnic diversity, diverse gender and sexuality, disabilities or exceptionalities. Children’s and young adult books are shelved separately using the Library of Congress call number system. This collection is popular among our Day Care Center, students, faculty and staff of the college community.

Faculty Reserves Collection

Materials are provided by the Faculty for student use. Selected materials are also removed from the library’s main collection and placed on reserve. Other various works included in the collection are Faculty Writings and College Yearbooks. Loans are restricted to students, faculty and college employees.

Magazines, Microfilm, and Newspaper Collections

These collections are the print journal, magazine, and newspaper titles. The Newspaper Collection consists of national, regional, and local titles. Materials in microfilm can be viewed, scanned, and copied from microfilm readers. Please see the Periodical Directory.

Main Circulating Collection

The Main Circulating Book Collection is located on the upper level of the library, room 100, Main Building. To borrow, students need to show a SUNY CGCC student ID or other photo ID. Residents of Columbia and Greene Counties, sixteen or older, may become borrowers and must show valid ID to register.

Map Collection

We have a comprehensive collection of USGS maps of the local counties as well as a variety of historical and world maps. Materials do not circulate.

McNaughton Book

This rotating subscription plan is a way for libraries to rent popular fiction and non-fiction books.

New Additions to the Collections

The Columbia-Greene Community College Library provides a title listing for newly added materials to the collections. Most of our collections are available to residents of Columbia and Greene counties. Our list is typically generated every month and is organized alphabetically by Library of Congress Subject Headings.

New York Heritage Digital Collections – Columbia-Greene Community College

Access the CGCC Library’s digital heritage and history collections. These digital collections contribute to the story that makes this region extraordinary and complements the C-GCC Library’s local history and rare book collections.

Collections include:

• The Arthur Koweek Collection of images documenting urban renewal in Hudson, N.Y.
• Barns of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains: An Introduction
• Lost Main Street Catskill
• Columbia-Greene Community College History Collection

Online Databases

We have a variety of online subscriptions to databases providing access to articles, many of which are full-text. Remote access is available to all college employees and currently enrolled students. The library provides access to complimentary digital subscriptions to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal for all students, staff, and faculty. Students can search the databases 24 hours a day by using their login credentials. These databases can be searched specifically or by performing a search in our catalog, PRIMO.

Other Special Collections

• Selected works from Founding Faculty member and Professor Emeriti, Diane Koenig.
• Local Authors Book Collection: Signed copies are housed in a display case on the 1st floor. Materials do not circulate.

Rare Books/Local History

Our Rare Books/Local History Collection features a blend of older, hard to find titles and editions, and specialized books examining a variety of aspects of our area’s history. In addition to this collection, we have dozens of other titles examining our area’s story in the main circulation collection.

Reference Collection

The Reference Collection consists of non-circulating items such as dictionaries, handbooks, encyclopedias, statistical sources, and biographical sources.