LIBRARY GUIDE
This guide is designed to help you navigate the library and provide essential information for effectively using its resources and services. As an introductory tool, it does not cover every detail. Therefore, you are encouraged to participate in the various library orientation and bibliographic instruction programmes specifically organised for new students.
If you encounter any challenges, do not hesitate to seek assistance from the library staff.
OPERATING HOURS OF THE LIBRARY
The library’s opening hours are as follows:
Semester Period
Monday – Thursdays: 8:00am – 9:00pm
Fridays: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Sundays: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Note: The Library remains closed on Sundays and all public holidays. Please note that these operating hours may be reviewed by the Librarian in consultation with the library committee.
GENERAL RULES OF THE LIBRARY
- Absolute silence shall be maintained at all times within the library premises.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited in all areas of the library.
- The consumption of food or beverages, including toffees, fruits, candies, and similar items, is not permitted in any part of the library.
- Bags, gowns, raincoats, umbrellas, cameras, scanners, tape recorders, and similar items must be deposited with the library staff at the entrance. These items are deposited at the owner’s risk, as the library shall not be held liable for any loss or damage.
- Firearms and other offensive weapons are strictly forbidden within the library.
- Animals or pets are not allowed in any part of the library.
- Reserving seats is not permitted. Any seat found to be reserved shall be cleared by library staff for use by other users. A book recalled by the library must be returned within 72 hours. Fines shall be imposed for delays beyond this period.
- Library staff reserve the right to inspect any item being taken out of the library.
- All users shall enter and exit the library through the main entrance only.
- Users may not enter staff offices unless explicitly invited by a member of the library staff.
- All borrowed materials must be returned at least three days before the end of each semester.
- Users must maintain orderly conduct at all times in all areas of the library.
CARE OF THE BOOKS
- No book is to be written in, soiled, torn, cut, or damaged in any way.
- Any defect in or damage to a book prior to borrowing should be reported to the library staff.
- Users must not trace any picture or figure from any book/material.
- Readers and borrowers will be held responsible for any damage to a book in their care and will be required to pay the appropriate cost for such damaged books.
- Borrowers should report at once the loss of any book, and if it is not found, the borrower shall pay for the lost book.
OFFENCES AND SANCTIONS
Failure to Return Books on Due Date
- A user who commits this offence shall be liable to pay a fine of GHC 1 per day up to 7 days. Thereafter, a fine of GHC 2 a day plus loss of borrowing rights will be imposed until the books are returned. (Charges are subject to review).
- All students who fail to return all library books to the College library three days before the second semester final examinations will be debarred from taking the examinations.
Misplacement of Books: A user who reports the misplacement of a borrowed book will be given up to 14 days to look for it. During that period, he/she shall be liable to pay a fine of 0.50 Gp per day for the first seven days and a fine of GHC 1 per day thereafter. (Charges are subject to review).
Loss of Books: A user who commits this offence shall replace the book and its associated cost.
Mutilation of Books/Periodicals: A user who tears pages, sections, and illustrations from library materials shall be dismissed from the College.
Writing in Library Books or Underlining Sentences: A user who commits this offence will pay the current price of the book in Ghana Cedis and will lose borrowing rights for one semester.
REGISTRATION OF READERS
All readers wishing to borrow books must present their identity cards/letter of admission before they are registered. Registration is valid for the duration of a registered program. A reader will be issued with a borrower’s card, which must be shown at the issue desk whenever a book is being borrowed from the library.
BORROWING OF BOOKS
The number of books readers are entitled to borrow from the library is as follows:
Tutors – 5 Books
Part-time Tutors – 4 Books
Demonstrators – 4 Books
Other Senior Members – 4 Books
Other Staff – 3 Books
Students – 3 Books
Steps for borrowing a Book
- Select the items from the library.
- Submit the item/book with your user card to the staff at the circulation desk.
Searching the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC)
Searching for material is done by using any of the following:
- Name of the author(s)
- Title of item or book
- Subject of book or
- Series
- The normal period for keeping a borrowed book is 14 days. Teaching and research staff and others with special reasons for doing so may request longer periods. All books must be returned before the end of the current academic year. Teaching staff are allowed to keep borrowed books for one semester, but the books can be recalled after a month, subject to the needs of other borrowers.
- Borrowers must note that a loan may be renewed on application for only one period of a fortnight so long as no one else wants it.
Overdue/Lost Books
- All borrowers (including members of staff) are subject to fines for books that are overdue.
- Books lost or damaged must be reported immediately and paid for at the estimated cost or replaced by the borrower if not found after the grace period of 14 days.
- Books must be returned to the library on the dates that they are due.
- Books may be renewed once if not requested by another reader. Renewals cannot be made by telephone.
- Fines may be charged if books are not returned on dates due.
Academic staff as well as students are encouraged to make recommendations for the purchase of books. Such recommendations should be made to the Librarian.
LIBRARY ORIENTATION/BIBLIOGRAPHIC INSTRUCTION
The Library organises Orientation/Bibliographic Instructions for new students. All new students are expected to participate fully in the exercise in order to get acquainted with the resources and services provided by the library
FINDING A BOOK
The books which are on open access (at the library) are for direct borrowing. It is expected that each borrower will be able to find a book after determining the Author, Title, and the Class Number from the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC). To do this:
- Look for the Author in the Author/Title Catalogue
- Find the class number indicating where the book is shelved.