The Library provides students with physical space to study, learn and work together, expert research librarians and Information Technology staff, and a wealth of scholarly resources. Students can get the help and advice of professional librarians by coming to the library reference desk, phoning, or sending an inquiry via email, chat or text.  Librarians work closely with faculty to support class research assignments.  Both undergraduates and graduate students can make an appointment with a librarian specializing in a subject area to obtain individualized help and tutoring in research skills.

The Library’s teaching and learning collections include print and electronic books and journals, a course reserve collection of high-use materials, and a variety of electronic media including films, music, and newspapers.  In addition the SMC Library partners with thousands of other libraries to share materials.  Through these sharing agreements, students have access to millions of books and articles worldwide.  We also have a small “best sellers” collection for recreational reading and an extensive film and video collection.  The Byron Bryant Film Collection includes award winning and significant feature films released in movie theaters. The Instructional Video Collection includes documentaries, theatrical performances (dance, opera, theater), interviews and some television series. 

The Library provides computers and printers as well as technical assistance to students and has three group study rooms reserved for student use by reservation on a first-come, first-served basis.  All group study rooms are equipped with a television, DVD/VHS player, and a whiteboard. One study room is also equipped for students to practice and record their own presentations and lectures.

The Library also houses the College Archives and Special Collections Service which includes rare and original materials on California and Western Americana, the Life and Times of Cardinal Newman, and the Library for Lasallian Studies, a collection by and about Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the Christian Brothers teaching order.

For a general introduction to the Library and its collections, please view this Prezi presentation.