Library User Guide
LIBRARY OPERATING POLICIES
These policies have been adopted by the GCTU Library Committee to govern the day-to-day operating procedures of the library
WHO MAY USE THE LIBRARY?
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- The library is open to all members of the university community. Service will not be denied or abridged because of religious, racial, social, economic, or political status; or because of emotional, or physical condition; age; or sexual orientation.
- The use of the library may be denied for due cause. Such cause may be failure to return library materials or to pay penalties, destruction of library property, disturbance of other patrons, or any other illegal, disruptive, or objectionable conduct on library premises.
- Visitors and other external GCTU affiliates are welcome to access some of the library’s resources. However, they cannot check out material, and also not permitted to use the e-library facilities.
PATRON RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT
It is a patron’s responsibility to maintain necessary and proper standards of behavior in order to protect his/her individual rights and the rights and privileges of other patrons. If a patron creates a public nuisance, that patron may be restricted from the Library and from the use of the library facilities. Those who are unwilling to leave or do not leave within a reasonable amount of time, after being instructed to do so by the staff, will be subject to the rules and regulations of the library.
ELIGIBILITY FOR CHECKING OUT MATERIAL
For a patron/user to qualify to borrow materials, he/she must be possess a valid GCTU Student or Staff ID card.
Patrons wishing to check out material must bring their respective GCTU ID cards with them. Failing to do so, such persons will be denied the privilege of checking out materials.
Patrons other than GCTU students and staff will not be allowed to borrow materials, they may however use the library for reference services only.
LOAN PERIODS
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- A student may borrow two books at a time for two weeks.
- Generally, reference books do not circulate. Upon special arrangement, some reference materials may be checked out overnight
- Checked out books may be renewed once if no request for those particular books have been made
- Periodicals do not circulate
- One week for cassettes, audio books, and compact discs.
The librarian may establish the loan period for special collections or materials which are temporarily in great demand.
RENEWALS
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- Renewal requests are accepted for most books on the open shelves
- Renewals are granted unless the item has not been recalled, is needed for reserves, or has not been requested by another reader.
- Overdue materials are not renewable.
- Length of renewal depends upon the status of the borrower and type of material.
RECALL
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- All library materials that have been checked out are subject to recall
- For faculty members, material may be recalled two weeks after check out date, whilst material in the possession of students may be recalled after one week.
- Materials needed for course reserves may be recalled at any time.
- Failure to return a recalled item will result in a minimum fine of GH¢2.00 a day, and
suspension of borrowing privileges
RESERVES
Materials on reserve are those purposefully separated from the general collection;
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- at the request of a lecturer
- because the copies of the particular title are few in number, and/or
- titles that are crucial to courses offered but are out of print
Reserve materials just like reference materials do not circulate, they are signed for, used in the library and returned to library staff after use.
FINES AND CHARGES
Borrowers will be fined for not returning borrowed materials on the due dates. Fines are as stated on the table below. In addition to a fine, failure to respond to requests for the return of overdue materials will lead to suspension of library borrowing privileges for a period determined by the library committee. Fines are subject to upward review anytime, and patrons will be notified accordingly.
DAMAGED OR LOST MATERIAL
Lost material should be promptly reported to the circulation desk. Borrowers losing or failing to return material, or returning material in damaged condition are subject to the following charges:
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- A charge for a replacement copy and processing
- A clean copy of the same edition of the lost book may be accepted in lieu of the replacement cost, but the borrower will still be subject to the cost of processing.
- If materials are damaged so as to be judged by the library as being unsuitable for the collection, the patron/user must pay the replacement cost and a processing fee. A notice of these charges will be sent to the borrower.
USE OF THE LIBRARY
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- Bags etc. are to be left at the security check point when entering the library.
- Patrons are not to shelve books. All used materials should be left on the carrel or reserve desk for the library staff to shelve.
- Smoking is not permitted in the Library
- Food or drink is not to be brought into the Library or consumed there, except bottled water
- Due to the limited study space in the library, study space cannot be reserved. Patrons who leave books and personal belongings unattended, do so at their own risk
- The GCTU library is committed to providing an environment that is conducive to study as well as welcoming to all users. All library users must therefore refrain from making excessive noise while using the library.
- The use of cell phones in the library is prohibited. Phones should be either switched off, or set to silent ring mode. Calls should be made or received outside the library.
Theft and/or Attempted Theft, Misappropriation of Library Materials
The University considers theft, misappropriation, mutilation, or tampering with library materials, equipment or property by any user to be a serious offense. Theft and /or attempted theft, misappropriation or mutilation of library materials include:
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- Unauthorized removal of materials from the library
- Falsification of circulation records by willful use of a wrong I.D. card
- Deliberate misplacement of library material
- The mutilation of books, journals or other library materials
- Tampering with library data files or computer programmes
- Removal of any material from the Library must therefore be properly authorized. All readers leaving the Library must show at the exit point all books, periodicals in their possession and may be required to open for inspection any receptacle carried out of the Library.
EQUIPMENT USE POLICY/USE OF E-LIBRARY
Computers are made available to students on a first-come, first-served basis at the e-library. There is no charge for use of the computers; however, in order to make the service available to as many students as possible, a time limit for usage has been imposed. That time limit is 10 hours a week. Library staff are available for general assistance in using the computers, but are not expected to train students in the use of computer applications.
INTERNET ACCESS
The GCTU Library provides access to the Internet free of charge as a means to enhance the information and learning opportunities for members of the university community. The library committee has established the Internet use policy to ensure appropriate and effective use of this resource.
Access to the Internet is available to all students, stop at our front desk for the current password for our Wi-Fi service. It is available 24/7 and is generally accessible on campus. This service may be restricted at any time for use not consistent with the guidelines.
EXPECTATIONS:
Users should be aware that the inappropriate use of electronic information resources can be a violation of local, national, and international laws and can lead to prosecution. The user will be held responsible for his/her actions using the Internet. Users are expected to abide by the policies below which include generally accepted rules of network etiquette. Unacceptable uses of the service will result in the suspension or revocation of Internet use privileges.
WARNING
The Internet is a decentralized, un-moderated global network; the GCTU Library has no control over the content found there. The library will not censor access to material nor protect users from offensive information, and is also not responsible for the availability and accuracy of information found on the Internet.
The library cannot assure that data or files downloaded by users are virus-free. The library is not responsible for damages to equipment or data on a user’s personal computer from the use of data downloaded from the library’s Internet service.
The use of the Internet and e-mail is not guaranteed to be private. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
GUIDELINES
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- Users may use the Internet for research and the acquisition of information to address their educational, vocational, cultural, and recreational needs
- Users may use the Internet for the receipt and transmission of electronic mail (e-mail) as long as they use a free e-mail service which will establish and maintain an account for them; the library is unable to manage e-mail accounts for any organizations or individuals
- Users will respect and uphold copyright laws and all other applicable laws and regulations; they will not use it for illegal purposes
- Users will respect the rights and privacy of others by not accessing private files
- Users agree not to incur any costs for the library through their use of the Internet service
- Users shall not create and/or distribute computer viruses over the Internet
- Users shall not deliberately or willfully cause damage to computer equipment, programs, or parameters
SANCTIONS
Patrons who violate any of these guidelines will be subject to the following sanctions:
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- Suspension of the privilege of access to library facilities
- Legal action and/or other penalties sanctioned by the Library Committee.
- Publication of the offender’s picture as well as details of the offense on all notice boards in the University as well as within the library premises.
Calendar for 2021/2022 Academic year (Freshmen-MAY-INTAKE)
Calendar for 2021/2022 Academic year (Freshmen AND Continuing students)
| LIBRARY HOURS | |
|---|---|
| Monday - Friday: | 8:30am - 10:00pm |
| Saturday: | 9:00am - 9:00pm |
| VACATION OPENING HOURS | |
|---|---|
| Monday - Friday: | 9:00am - 6:00pm |
| Saturday: | 9:00am - 4:00pm |