Library Collections
General Collection
The San Juan College Library’s primary collection supports student learning and academic success across all programs. This collection includes a mix of historical and current materials in both physical and digital formats, covering subjects such as:
- Academic pathways – humanities, arts, science, math, engineering, and business
- Trades and technologies – education, nursing, health sciences, transportation, and IT
Beyond academic resources, the collection also includes materials for personal growth and community interest, such as:
- Popular fiction, nonfiction, magazines and newspapers for reading
- DVDs, CDs, eBooks and other media and technology for lending
- Children’s and young adult books for non-traditional students, teacher training, and the CLEAR program
- One Book, One Community selections
Whether you’re researching for class or looking for a good read, the library has resources to support you.
Instructors can request that library resources be reserved for certain classes to ensure availability. Browse the course reserves list to see if there are textbooks or other materials reserved at the library circulation desk.
Patrons unable to locate material within the SJC Library collection can request items via Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Before placing an ILL request, please be sure that SJC library does not already own the item needed. ILL staff will search the collections of other libraries (public and academic) nationwide for requested items.
Requests may take 10-14 business days or longer to process and receive. If time is a factor, it is crucial that requests be made as soon as possible. Requests submitted directly from our online catalog (e.g. search results) are preferred. Blank ILL forms are also available in the library.
This service is available only for SJC library patrons (current SJC students, staff, and faculty). Please note that all requests are subject to approval. A fee may be charged in some instances.
For ILL questions, please email interlib@sanjuancollege.edu or contact the library by phone (505-566-3249).
NOTE: Email interlib@sanjuancollege.edu if you do NOT receive a copy of your request via email.
Special Collections
San Juan College Library houses several special collections, many of the collections contain rare books and documents.
The Southwest Room houses a large collection of resources focused the local area. The Southwest Room collection defines the Southwest as the states of the Four Corners- Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. The Southwest Room primarily focuses on works on the history, environment, politics, and culture of the Southwest, works on the native tribes of the Southwest- with a focus on the Navajo, Apache, and Pueblo tribes- and Navajo language works. The Southwest Room also has a reference collection of encyclopedias and rare books on the West. There is also a locked case in the Southwest Room containing particularly rare, fragile, and vintage books.
The Tom Carter Room contains a large collection of materials related to geology, paleontology, and oil and gas exploration and extraction. These are designed to be used as research and practical resources for SJC geology and petroleum engineering programs. The Carter Room collection includes materials related to the geography of the Four Corners region and the oil and gas industry in the United States. The Carter Room collection is the result of a significant donation to the college and focuses on the long history of oil and gas in the region. Like the Southwest Room, the Carter Room also has a reference collection for old and rare books and a locked case for exceptionally rare or fragile materials. In addition to physical books, the Carter Room also has an extensive collection of geographical maps and maps related to oil and gas in the Southwest. There are also several fossil specimens in the collection’s locked case.
San Juan College’s Center for Professional Exploration and Development (CPED) was established to provide faculty and staff space for professional development. The CPED has a large collection of books relating to teaching, learning, and management. These books are designed to primarily be used by the faculty and staff of San Juan College. These books are collected by CPED and cataloged by the library. Materials stored in CPED can be found in the San Juan Library catalog. Materials can be checked out by anyone with a San Juan College library card.
The Totah Tracers are a genealogical society founded and based in San Juan County. This organization has collected and graciously donated several genealogical resources and guides. These works contain a bookplate noting the donor. Previously, these materials were in the reference collection. However, we decided they should be in their own special collection. In addition to the materials donated to the Totah Tracers, we will be adding additional genealogical materials that relate to the local area. Note, if there is a lack of interest (as reflected by a lack of circulation), these materials may be donated to an external genealogical society such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Farmington, with the approval of the Totah Tracers.
Throughout the many years that it’s been in Farmington, the Daughters of the American Revolution has donated many materials to the library. These works were indicated by a bookplate noting the donor. This collection focuses on the history of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Farmington, Daughters of the American Revolution rolls, and other information about patriotic education. Most of these materials were in the reference collection, but it was determined that they would be better in the special collection.