A scholarly, peer-reviewed article is a research paper written by experts and reviewed by other experts in the same field before it is published. This process ensures that the article is accurate, credible, and meets academic standards. These articles are usually published in academic journals and are used in in-depth research and higher education.
General Library Information
You may visit the Don C. Locke Library for current updates on the library's hours of operation.
The library is in the Locke building, on the main campus next to the Coman Building (which has Bridge Tunnel Cafe) and across from the Ferguson Auditorium.
- Call (828) 398-7301
- Submit an “Ask-an-A-B-Tech-Librarian" request
- Send an e-mail to askalibrarian@abtech.edu
- Visit us in person during library hours
- Your A-B Tech ID Card will also be your official library card.
- Visit the A-B Tech Website
- Click on College Resources
- Select ID Cards to get information on how to get a college ID card
- Go to the Library Catalog homepage:
- In the upper right corner, click "My Account"
- Click the "Login with SSO" button.
- Sign in using your SSO credentials (if you are not already logged in on your device).
- Once logged in, you will be able to:
- View items you currently have checked out
- See any outstanding fines
- Renew items
- Place items on hold
You have the following options for payments:
- Visit the library (pay in person)
- Call the library at (828) 398-7301 (to pay by phone)
- Call the business office at (828) 398-7152 (to pay by phone)
Yes, located in the Locke Building are the:
Study Spaces and Rooms
No, all study rooms (individual and group) are on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Yes, some of the best quiet areas in the library include:
- Group and individual study rooms on the main floor
- The space near the group study rooms on the main floor
- The area outside the Writing Center on the lower level
- Additional quiet spots on the main campus:
- The Coman Building (beside the library)
- The lobby area of the Ferguson Building (located across from the library)
Borrowing Materials
- Visit the library during open hours with your A-B Tech Student ID
- You may want to check the catalog to find the material you would like to visit the Library Catalog homepage.
- Find the item you would like to borrow. Feel free to ask a staff member for help!
- Bring the item you would like to borrow, with your A-B Tech Student ID, to the circulation desk.
For the curriculum, students/staff/faculty:
- Books: 2 weeks
- Media: 1 week
- Laptops and Chromebooks: until the end of the current semester.
- Hotspots and Calculators: 4 weeks.
- Yes. Go to the Library Catalog homepage:
- In the upper right corner, click "My Account."
- Click the "Login with SSO" button.
- Sign in using your SSO credentials (if you are not already logged in on your device).
- Once logged in, you will be able to:
- View items you currently have checked out
- See any outstanding fines
- Renew items
- Place items on hold
- Overdue fines are (per day and per item): 25¢ per day for books; 50¢ per day for magazines; and $1.00 per day for media.
- A fine of $5.00 per day per laptop or hotspot will be charged for items not returned on or before the due date. A fine of $2.50 per day will be charged for overdue calculators.
- Estimated replacement cost for lost or damaged items
- Laptop: $430 – $780
- Hotspot: $135
- Calculator: $120
- Books: varies
Start by checking the Evergreen catalog and placing a hold if the book is available within the consortium. If no libraries in the consortium have it, you can submit an interlibrary loan request.
Research Help
- To cite sources in MLA or APA format, you can use the citation guides available through Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) or use the physical copies of the APA and MLA Manuals available at Locke Library. These resources offer examples and tools to help you format your citations correctly.
- Many databases, such as ProQuest and Academic Search Premier, include a “Cite” feature that provides citations in multiple formats, including MLA and APA.
- You can also ask library staff for personal assistance.
- You can call (828) 398-7301 during library hours to speak to a librarian or submit your questions to “Ask-an-A-B-Tech-Librarian"
- Set up an appointment with one of our Reference Librarians for a “Research Survival” session – a one-on-one appointment, where we can answer any questions you have about finding sources.
- Submit an “Ask-an-A-B-Tech-Librarian" request with your question and including your topic and availability, and we will get back with you with an appointment time
- Call (828) 398-7301 during library hours to make an appointment
- Visit us in person during library hours – we take walk-ins
- Visit the Locke Library website Database page.
- After clicking on a resource link, you will be prompted to sign in using your SSO (Single Sign-On) credentials.
- Online resources are only available to currently enrolled students and A-B Tech staff, and faculty.
- Be sure to access them through Locke Library’s webpage.
- Off-campus users: After clicking a resource link, you will be prompted to sign in using your SSO (Single Sign-On) credentials.
- If you continue to experience issues accessing the databases, please contact the A-B Tech I.T. Help Desk for assistance.
- Phone: (828) 398-7550 (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday)
- Email: helpdesk@abtech.edu
- Logging in with the SSO Authenticator is the only way to access NC Live and other library databases when off-campus.
- If you cannot use your SSO Authenticator, contact AB Tech Help for help.
- We recommend calling (828) 398-7550 first for the quickest support.
- If you are unable to reach someone by phone, follow up with an email to: helpdesk@abtech.edu.
Technology and Equipment
- Yes, we have desktop computers:
- Across from the Circulation Desk
- Downstairs in the Center of Academic Achievement. This is also where our printer is located. You must have your college ID card to print.
- The library also has In-building-Use Laptops (3 hrs) and Student Home-Use Laptops available to check out for the whole semester. College IDs must be present to check out laptops. Home-Use laptops are only available for students currently enrolled in a curriculum class.
- Currently enrolled students can check out any of the electronic devices (laptop, hotspot, or calculator).
- You must have your AB Tech student ID card – no exceptions.
- Loan periods:
- Laptops and Chromebooks: until the end of the current semester.
- Hotspots and Calculators: 4 weeks.
Visit Student Printing and InfoBase: How to Web Print for information about printing and scanning documents from any student printer campus, including the Locke library.
- Contact the I.T. Help Desk for more assistance.
- Call (828) 398-7550 or email helpdesk@abtech.edu.
- Visit Tech Support: Student Email for more information.
- Downstairs, in the open tutoring area (Center of Academic Achievement).
- Other printers may be available in academic buildings.
If you are using a desktop or laptop computer, a small box (upper right corner) should appear with your balance on your Paper Cut account.
- A fine of $5.00 per day per laptop or hotspot will be charged for items not returned on or before the due date. A fine of $2.50 per day will be charged for overdue calculators.
- Estimated replacement cost for lost or damaged items
- Laptop: $430–$780
- Hotspot: $135
- Calculator: $120
Borrowed Laptop Troubleshooting
- Please fully charge the device overnight and/or keep it plugged in while in use.
- If the device still does not power on, return both the laptop and the power cord to the library for further assistance.
- Check your Wi-Fi connection
- Click the Wi-Fi icon in the lower right corner of your screen.
- On-campus: Select A-B Tech-Internet from the list of available networks.
- Off-campus: Choose your available home or local Wi-Fi network.
- If you are still unable to connect:
- On-campus: Contact the I.T. Help Desk at (828) 398-7550 for assistance.
- Off-campus: Reach out to your internet service provider.
- Chromebooks = log on using a Gmail account username and password
- Dell laptops = log on using your A-B Tech student username and password
- Hours (Remote) I.T. Support Team, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Contact Information:
- Email: helpdesk@abtech.edu
- Phone: (828) 398-7308 / (828) 398-7550
- Webpage: I.T. Help Desk website
The borrower will not use the laptop for illegal activities, including but not limited to disruption of other users/services/equipment, harassment, distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer viruses, and attempts to make unauthorized entries into other computers.
The borrower will not tamper with the laptop or the hotspot hardware or software or load/copy software onto the laptop.
The library is not responsible for any damage to personal accessories or media such as compact discs, USB flash drives, or other devices.
The library is not responsible for any files left on the laptop or for loss of, or damage to, files during the laptop loan period. The library is not responsible for hardware or software training. Visit the I.T. Help Desk/Open Computer Lab at Locke Library.
Save Your Work: Files will be erased when the laptop powers down. Personal files are Not retrievable once the laptop reboots. Note: “Low” battery power will also cause you to lose files and online access if the laptop shuts down due to the low power. Keep the laptop charger nearby.
Borrowers are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the screen, keyboard, power cord, and sleeve/case upon return. (Ask library staff for cleaning wipes when you return the laptop).
Borrowers, please log out of all active accounts and power off the laptop.
For Faculty
Email the Library Director, Susan Toole, at susanjtoole@abtech.edu. We have Librarian liaisons for the departments, and she will be glad to connect you with the appropriate librarian.
For personal requests not related to course curriculum, email Susan at susanjtoole@abtech.edu or submit a Suggestion for Purchase.
Yes! We are happy to collaborate with you—either by visiting your classroom or hosting your class in the library—to support student research and demonstrate how to use the Library Databases effectively.
You can choose from the following options:
- General Orientation & Library Tour
A brief introduction to library services and spaces (20–30 minutes). - Research Roundup
A session in the Locke Library classroom covering databases and key research strategies (30–50 minutes). - Hands-On Library Research
Bring your class to the library for guided, upper-level research practice (30–50 minutes). - Library Roadshow
We come to your classroom to deliver a full research roundup (30–50 minutes).
To schedule a session, please fill out the Library Instruction Request Form
- Contact us through the Library Reserve form.
- We can put textbooks, personal, or library materials on reserve at the library for easier student access.
- Due to increased copyright compliance restrictions placed on libraries, Locke Library can no longer accept Instructor’s Editions or Instructor’s Review Copies for reserve.
Community Patrons and Continuing Education Students
Non-students may obtain a Community Patron Card. Please visit the Circulation Desk during library hours and bring a valid photo ID.
- Community Patrons may borrow up to 5 books at a time.
- Access to other materials, such as DVDs, is not permitted.
Access to library e-resources is restricted to currently enrolled curriculum students via SSO (Single Sign-On) login. Alumni and former students do not retain access.
Yes. All study rooms (individual and group) are available on a first-come, first-served basis to students, community patrons, faculty, and staff.
No. A-B Tech computers require a Moodle login and are only accessible to current students, faculty, and staff. Community patrons do not have computer access.
Printing services are available only through Papercut accounts, which are accessible by current students. Community patrons do not have printing access.
Yes, community members are welcome to use the library. However, borrowing privileges are limited to books. If you are interested in checking out materials, please stop by the Circulation Desk to request a Community Patron Card.