The Gates Memorial Library serves Lamar State College-Port Arthur students, faculty, and staff. The library is also accessible to alumni and those with established relationships or affiliations with the college. The general public may use the library on a limited basis.
Library patrons may borrow materials not available at the Gates Memorial Library through the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service, either at the Circulation Desk or online, using Interlibrary Loan Request form. Interlibrary loan services are provided for all faculty, staff, LSCPA students and those with special borrower’s cards.
Books, copies of articles can be ordered from any member Texshare Library. Materials that are obtainable from other libraries take a week or more. Photocopies of magazine articles may also be obtained through interlibrary loans.
There is no charge for copies of these articles.
Two types of materials; are kept on reserve:
Long term reserves - this includes high-loss potential books reflecting strong public interest; these are reviewed periodically for return to the open shelves.
Short term reserves - these are titles requested by faculty for class required reading or textbooks adopted by Lamar which are in the collection. Class materials will be returned to the shelves at the end of each semester unless otherwise instructed by the faculty member. Textbooks will be removed when they are no longer on the current textbook list.
Circulation periods for Long Term Reserve items are determined by the faculty who place them on reserve.
All Gates Library circulating materials can be sent to distance/online students as well as LSCPA Early College/Dual Enrollment program students. Physical items such as books and videos and items used to supplement instruction (reserve) are kept at the circulation desk and typically loaned out for in-house use for 2 hours. Pages from these items can also be requested. Fair use copyright guidelines are followed for items placed on reserve. Use this form to request distance Library document delivery.
In house use of electronic devices
Fines: A five-day grace period is given with no charge. After the grace period, fines are $0.10 cents a day, per item. Maximum overdue fine is $5.00, per item.
Holds are placed on delinquent borrowers after a first, second and final notice are sent then, a billing notice is sent. The hold remains until the books are returned and fines paid. Those students are not allowed to register for the next semester and in some instances, grades may be held. Students are not allowed copies of their transcripts.
Delinquent borrowers must clear fines and return books to the library before they are allowed to register.
Get a TexShare card from Gates Library so you can get items from other libraries. With a TexShare Card you can directly borrow books, music, movies and more from any other participating TexShare library, just as if you were a card-holder there. Most public and academic libraries participate in TexShare. Search for one near you. Each participating library has slightly different lending policies, you can get links to each libraries policy on the search result list. The only requirement is that you must be a current LSCPA student, faculty or staff member.
Where Do I Get the TexShare Card?
Get a TexShare card at the Gates Library Circulation desk. TexShare cards are good for a semester; users should apply for a new card each semester. New and renewing users may apply for TexShare services using the online application, or by downloading a paper application below and returning it to the Library in person or by mail to:1495 Lakeshore Dr. Port Arthur, 77641
TexShare card holders may:
Request a TexShare card from your home library to receive guest access to Gates’ Memorial Library’s resources. Visitors must present a valid and current TexShare card AND a valid and current photo ID to check out library items.
Books – TexShare card holders from other Texas libraries who borrow materials may check out up to five books from the general collections for a period of 3 weeks (one renewal).
Items can be renewed online, https://www.lamarpa.edu/Current-Students/Gates-Memorial-Library/Forms/Library-Online-Renewal-Request or by calling (409) 984-6218/ (409) 984-6220
Users are responsible for charges for items lost or damaged during their borrowing period. In addition to replacement costs, users will be responsible for overdue fines and for a processing fee of $10. Fines: A five-day grace period is given with no charge. After the grace period, fines are $0.10 cents a day, per item. Maximum overdue fine is $5.00, per item.