Personal tools
You are here: Home → About → Contents → Support Services → Library → Using the Library
 

   

Using the Library

How to gain access to library facilities.

College students

  • all students enrolled on college courses are members of the library
  • student cards must be presented to borrow material from the library

  • UHI is a member of the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) Access scheme, which allows UHI students access to many UK university libraries. Please ask for further information.

Western Isles Health Board

  • an agreement with the WIHB allows some access to college library facilities to its students and staff
  • a card and PIN  are issued on completion of a membership form, and must be presented to borrow books.

External users

  • students at other universities may apply for membership of the Lews Castle College library through the free SCONUL Access scheme
  • Other members of the public may gain reference and borrowing rights (two books at a time) via payment of a £25.00 per annum membership fee (please note that this does not give access to computers nor electronic resources).

 Public library users

  • members of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar library service may be able to borrow books from college library stock through their local library. Please check with public library staff.
  • The public library catalogue may be checked at

http://lib-cat.cne-siar.gov.uk/#focus

 Borrowing from the library

  • Lews Castle College students may have up to twelve items on loan at any one time depending on their course of study
  • Western Isles Health Board - up to two items on loan at any one time
  • external users - up to two items on loan at any one time.

Loan periods

  • restricted or short-term loan - seven days and three days
  • normal loan - twenty-eight days
  • the loan period for material borrowed from another library of UHI is at the discretion of the lending library
  • journals are not normally issued on loan.

Returning books

  • material should be returned to the library issue desk not later than the date stamped on the issue label.

Renewals

Loans may be renewed from one working day prior to their due date

Please note that in order to process renewal requests in a timely fashion we need to receive phone calls or emails by 16.45, otherwise processing will occur on the following working day and fines may be applicable.

Loans may not be renewed

  • more than twice
  • if the item is in heavy demand
  • if the item is reserved by another user
  • if you owe outstanding fines or other charges.

Fines

  • as in most libraries fines are charged for material not returned by the due date
  • fines are strictly applied. Current rates are: 10p per day for twenty-eight day loans, 20p per day for seven day loans, and 50p for three day loans
  • material which is not returned is presumed lost, and is charged at replacement cost, plus an administration charge
  • material which is returned damaged is charged at replacement cost, plus an administration charge
  • further loans or renewals are not permitted until fines and charges are cleared. Bad debt may additionally affect the award of qualifications.

Reservations

  • material out on loan may be reserved for users on its return, in person, by e-mail or by telephone.
Document Actions