The Senator Judith Zaffirini Library is located on the ground floor of Building
B at LC South. It currently houses 40,601 bound volumes, 1,240 e-books titles
(these e-books can be accessed from the Yeary or Zaffirini Libraries) and 105
periodical subscriptions and 75 online databases (which includes full-text
journal articles), making it a serviceable library for the students at the LC
South Campus.
The Zaffirini Library is a service-oriented institution, providing trained
reference librarians to answer questions when the library is open. During the
fall and spring semesters, the Zaffirini Library is open Monday through
Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for student and faculty research.
The library is closed on weekends during the summer. The collection’s main
focus is to support the curriculum of Laredo College. Many popular
resources in book, magazine, and electronic format are available and are
actively used.
The Zaffirini Library is equipped with a comprehensive automation system—a
product of the SIRSI Corporation. This system offers enhanced access and
research capabilities for students, faculty, staff, and community users. The library automation system (the Book Catalog) is used to look up
holdings in the library. The Internet can be accessed from every computer in
the Zaffirini Library. The Library Webpage (https://library.laredo.edu) is the starting point—with links to all of the library’s
resources, which include databases with full-text articles—EBSCOhost and
GaleNet-Infotrac. Also, there are health-related databases, such as CINAHL. On
the library webpage you can find online encyclopedias such as Encyclopedia
Britannica Online. In addition, there are links to government web pages,
such as the U.S. Census 1990, 2000, and 2010. EBSCOhost and GaleNet-Infotrac
are large databases that can be searched for a wide variety of academic journal
articles. Each of these databases contains different information.
TexShare, a service made available through the Texas State Library,
provides the Zaffirini Library with many of the online resources that are
listed on its webpage. At the library, students, faculty, and staff can obtain
a free TexShare card. This enables them to check out materials from other
TexShare libraries across the state. The Zaffirini Library contains seating for
approximately 130 students at individual study carrels and tables throughout
the library. The Circulation Services Desk, which is located at the front of
the library adjacent to the main entrance, also houses a collection of “faculty
reserve” materials that are available for students. The Reference Desk, where
patrons are able to find answers to their research needs, is in the central
part of the library. Next to the Circulation Desk and Periodicals Section are
two photocopiers for public use. The
library also offers an Interlibrary Loan Service that is free to all students,
faculty, and staff. Finally, the library houses a two-room Computer Lab,
complete with a printer station, for student access during regular hours of
library operation.
Therefore, the Zaffirini Library is a complete full service facility that
prides itself on its heavy student usage, its capable staff, and its centrality
to the mission of the college. You may contact the Zaffirini Library by calling
(956) 794.4275.