Borrowing

Part-time lecturers can borrow 10 books for one semester, with a fine of 30c per item per day for late returns. Borrowing privileges are suspended or renewed at the end of the semester and the books that you have borrowed should then be returned or renewed. A list of lecturers who have not returned materials on time or paid for overdue materials will be handed in to your Dean's office at the end of the semester or academic year. If you need to extend your privileges you must provide proof that you are still a member of faculty.

Part-time lecturers are expected to present their current Library card or current employee slip from the Campus Director’s Office.  Once the Library Registration Form on the general "Library leaflet" is filled in, you will be given a Library card to be presented at the Circulation Desk. Borrowing policies vary depending on the item type (i.e. book, audiovisuals, music scores, etc.) and the user group (i.e. part-time or full-time lecturer, researchers, off campus, etc.)
Also a due date may change if someone else recalls an item that has been checked out.

Use the library catalog to search for all types of items in the library Collections.

When you enter our catalog in "My Library card" you can see how many books you have borrowed, when they need to be returned, what your loan history is, etc. Once you have finished checking your record be sure to exit to prevent anyone else from seeing your personal information

When materials are checked out, a due date is stamped on the back slip of the book that indicates the length of the loan period.

You may borrow books from any campus library. Loan periods, dates and fines may vary among the campus libraries. It is your responsibility to know the dates for materials to be returned / renewed. Familiarize yourself with the loan policies of each library from which you borrow.

Borrowing Policy

        Books

        Audiovisuals
 

     Only registered University of Nicosia/Intercollege students can borrow books on Reserve
     Only Music department Faculty can borrow Music CDs and scores (for one week)

Library membership is free for all users except for External Users (20€ for 6 months and 40€ annually non-refundable) and for Alumni (17€ annually non-refundable).

Books in the following collections do not go out: Reference, Law Reference, Cyprus Reference, Rare, Periodicals and Dissertations.

External Users, Alumni and Distance Learners cannot borrow from the following Special Collections: Law Reference, Cyprus, Reserve, Reference, Rare, Government documents and Dissertations.


Returning

Return your books to the Circulation Desk before or on the date indicated at the back of the book otherwise a fine will be issued (click on Loss of Privileges/Fines).

If you have difficulty returning materials from the Main Building, we have a book return service to assist you. Call the Circulation Desk one or two days ahead of time and ask to have your books picked up before they are overdue. The Library takes no responsibility for last minute pick ups.

Renewing

You can keep your books longer if you renew them:
     At the Circulation Desk using your library card.
     No renewal is done over the phone.


Holds & Recalls

There may be times when a book you want is not in the library and the catalog shows that the item is loaned out to another user. Once you search for the item on InterCAT, our on-line library catalog, and you find it, make a note of the Call Number  and ask the Librarian at the Circulation Desk to put a hold on it or recall it if necessary. If an item is recalled, the current borrower is notified by phone or e-mail that the book has been recalled and a new due date is specified for the book to be returned (usually within two days) regardless of the date originally stamped at the back slip of the book. Only urgently needed books will be recalled.

You should normally expect to collect recalled books within three days of placing the hold, provided that the borrower responds promptly to the recall notice. Items awaiting collection will be kept at the relevant shelf in the Library for three days only after they are returned by the previous borrower. After that, they will be either returned to the first borrower if the borrower still needs the book, or they will be returned to the collection. If the current borrower fails to return a recalled book by the new return date given, it will be considered overdue and a fine of 1.70€ per item per day will be charged for not responding to the recall. The borrower's borrowing privileges will also be blocked (Loss of Privileges/Fines).


Loss of Privileges / Fines

In the case where you do not return your loans by the due date, you will receive a letter, e-mail or phone call reminding you that your items are overdue. This reminder is a courtesy service that the library cannot be held responsible for non-receipt by post or e-mail service. Fines will not exceed the amount of 50€.

Fines for items returned late are, per item:

	Standard Loan Books	30c per day
		80c per day for External Users, Alumni, Off-Campus Faculty and Off-Campus Students
	Reserve Books	70c per hour, 5€ per day or 45€ per day during exam period
	Recalled Items	1.70€ per day
	Lost/Damaged Items	Cost of item plus a processing fee of 17€

Users who have not returned their books or have not paid their fines will lose their borrowing privileges.

A list of borrower's names who have not returned materials on time or paid for overdue loans, will be handed to the Dean's office at the end of the semester or academic year. Borrowing privileges will be suspended until materials are returned and fines paid.
 
In order to avoid fines and/or loss of privileges:
     Make sure you check the status of the items that you borrowed on our on-line catalog on a regular basis (go to
        My Library Card).
     Return/renew your loans on or before the due date stamped on the date slip at the back of your book.
     Avoid giving your ID card to friends and avoid giving the books that you borrowed to others to use or to return
        since you will be responsible for any fines, loss or damage that may occur.
     Report the loss of your card, or any change of address, phone number or e-mail address to the Circulation Desk as
        soon as possible.

Extension of Privileges

In the case where you need to borrow materials beyond the period that you are allowed, you may extend you privileges by  presenting proof at the Circulation Desk, that you are still a member of faculty.


Support Services
Teaching Support
Research Support
Library Support
Library Research Assignment



Teaching Support

How do I place materials on Reserve?
Several weeks before each semester, the library sends an e-mail to all faculty reminding them to submit reserve lists for materials they would like their students to read.
Textbooks as well as other materials found on the syllabi as "recommended reading" are automatically put on Reserve, with loan periods that vary according to lecturers' request. (3hours, 1 day, 3 days, in library use)
Any extra material you would like to have your class read, should be put on reserve after special request. You can submit reserve requests for  books or photocopies using the Place a Book on Reserve online form or in person, at the Circulation Desk.
As there is a rush at the beginning of the term, reserve lists should be received as soon as possible, to ensure that materials are available for the start of classes. Make sure that for more than 30 students in a class you order an extra copy.

How do I find out if the library carries materials I assign my students?

Teaching students to do research is vital as research is a lifelong process.
Make sure that you assign at least one paper per semester for students to learn how to explore resources.
Prior to assigning topics check our on-line catalog InterCAT through the Browse or Search Modules, by Author, Title or Subject. Go to How to... Use InterCAT for more help on how to use our catalog.
Check our Library Research Assignments for reasons why you need to give library assignments and how you can do it more successfully.

Make sure you vary your topics for assignments as there is a limited number of books on a specific topic. In this way not all students  will rush for the same books.
To ensure that materials are available in the library at the right time and in sufficient quantities check with the Circulation Librarian and when not available fill in the Recommend a Book/Journal to Purchase form and hand it in well in advance.
If you already have a list of the books you will use, supply the Circulation Desk with a bibliographic list to be checked against our collection as early as possible. In this way, we can change the status of these books from “Standard loan” to  “Reserve” so that they are not loaned out.

How can my students find out what is available in the Intercollege libraries?
A general orientation is offered at the beginning of each semester with special orientation sessions offered during the semester as well. Librarians are happy to give a tour to your class which should be divided into groups of 10-12 students at a time.
These tours aim to help students become familiar with materials in the library as well as help them acquire skills useful for accessing other research tools. Please encourage your students to sigh up for these 20 min. tours.

Does the library have any guides to resources available?
We provide some general Guides to Reference Resources (Pathfinders) in certain subject areas which you can find on-line or on stands at the entrance of the library. Please check with our cataloger if you are in urgent need of one for your Subject area.
Various other leaflets are also found on the stands for the use of databases, or the use of the OPAC.
Refer your students to How to... Start my Research and Evaluate Web resources, a great starting place for undergraduates writing papers.
Check Library Research Assignments for guidelines  to giving effective assignments with less frustration for students.

Who should I contact for information in my subject area?
The Cataloger is the most appropriate person to assist you with your subject area or the Reference Librarian.

Research Support

What Electronic Resources are available?
While the electronic catalog is not restricted, some licensed databases may be restricted.
The on-line databases have thousands of journal articles in abstract or full-text. Although each one of them has a different name and is searched separately, you can find information in all of them depending on their subject area. They can be accessed through our Web Page in Databases & Articles from anywhere on the University premises and your home (Off-Campus access) and you can have the articles e-mailed to your account or downloaded in PDF or HTML format. In cases where passwords are needed it will be indicated and you can contact the Circulation Desk for more information. There is also a list of electronic journals made available under E-Journals (click on E-Resources).
All journal articles can also be accessed through SwetsWise Title Bank which enables you to search all e-resources at once. Finally, at Other E-Resources, located under E-Resources there is a collection of valuable web addresses to assist you on subject areas relevant to our courses. These have been evaluated by subject librarians and are not just any web address on the internet.

Can I use the electronic resources from off campus?
Yes, you can have online access to all of these resources from home. Click on Off-Campus Access to find out how you can do that. 

How can I obtain materials not available in the Main Intercollege Library?
Use our Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL).
All users affiliated with the University may request interlibrary loan services directly from any other campus, the main library or other libraries outside Cyprus.
Materials found in Larnaca or Limassol can be ordered and picked up within 2 days from the date of order.
For materials not found in our catalog, in our databases, or at the University of Cyprus catalog, you can request them through our ILL librarian to be ordered through the British Library Document Supply Center, or some other library with whom we cooperate. Please fill in the appropriate Interlibrary Loan form.

Can a student assistant check out or return books for me?
Yes…. But it is not the library’s responsibility if materials are not checked out as needed or are not returned on time. You will be responsible for any fines, loss or damage that may occur. If you have difficulty returning materials from the Main Building, you can inform the Circulation Desk one or two days ahead of time and have them picked up before they are overdue. The Library takes no responsibility for last minute pick ups.

Library Support

How do I recommend materials for purchase by the Library?
For materials to be purchased specifically for the enrichment of the Library, orders have to go through the library in May/June. Orders are coordinated and approved by the Head of Department before they are sent to the Library, according to budgetary allocation. Full bibliographic details should be provided with Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN (see Recommend a Book/Journal to Purchase form).
Enrichment of the library collection does not involve textbooks, as these are ordered through the bookshop. Check our Newsletter for new book reviews sent to you by e-mail on a monthly basis.

How do I recommend textbooks for purchase?
In the case where you need to order a new textbook, contact the Bookshop to inform you as to what procedure to follow. New textbooks or changes of old textbooks are only to be made after the approval of the Head of Department. Both the Academic Affairs as well as the Library are to be informed of these changes.
Full-time lecturers can pick up their assigned textbooks from the Bookshop (not from the library) and keep them for the whole year. Part-time lecturers are to return them at the end of the semester and have them reissued as needed.

What other sources can I use for ordering materials?
Other sources such as on-line bookshops, university catalogs or local bookshops can be used for orders too. In every case, full bibliographic details should be provided with Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN, Year of Publication, etc. (see Recommend a Book/Journal to Purchase) form.

Where materials are purchased through a local bookshop, permission should be obtained from the Library Director and Head of Department. On approval, the invoice should be issued to the “University of Nicosia/Intercollege Library” with the name and signature of the person who has purchased it. Once materials are handed in to the library with the invoice, they will first be processed and then loaned out.
Multiple copies are purchased if classes exceed the number of 30 students or there is special reason for ordering more.

What budgetary restraints exist?
Budgets run for one academic year (July 1st- June 31st). Orders are compiled depending on the status of the existing collection, its level (whether Bachelor, Masters), the number of students and the cost of materials in the specified field.
Orders for the current financial year and for items to be on the shelves at the beginning of the Fall semester, should be submitted before the beginning of August (check with our Acquisitions librarian).

Materials ordered will appear on our on-line catalog with the status “on order”. Once received and in process, the status will change to “in cataloguing”.

How do I order Audiovisuals?
For ordering Audiovisuals, special care must be given as these have a high purchasing cost and both the Library Director and Head of Department should be consulted. Up to two months should be allowed for the delivery of such materials.
A list of the new acquisitions will be posted regularly on the Web Page under the section of New titles.

How do I recommend journals for purchase by the Library?
Journals in either print form or e-form represent a commitment to an ongoing cost. Careful consideration must be given for selecting the most relevant titles for subscription.
E-journals are preferred over print journals except in cases where there is no other equivalent in e-form or there is a need for print volumes to be ordered for accreditation purposes or for any other valid reason.
Journal orders go through once a year in October. Full bibliographic details should be given, and an ISSN number is of valid importance as similar titles may already exist (see Recommend a Book/Journal to Purchase form).
As with book orders, journal orders should go through the Head of Department to be signed for approval and then submitted for purchasing to our Serials librarian.

How do I order materials for my research?
Orders for research apply to Full-time faculty ONLY.

Why give Library Research Assignments?

Once you, as a lecturer find yourself in front of your class, you should realize that through the assignments you give, you have the power to influence your students’ development as information seekers. Encourage them to find out about the library as this will increase their confidence and improve their ability to locate and evaluate information.

Not all students who find themselves at university are information literate. Coming from a background where their only experience of libraries is a place where they are sent for punishment, students find it hard to change their view and treat libraries as places where they can locate relevant information for their projects. In addition they find it hard to think critically about any information they come across. Assignments given to them may be their only opportunity to learn why there is a difference between surfing on the internet and doing research through valuable resources.

Assignments can be very confusing and frustrating. But, a well-planned assignment can take a student through the experience of learning valuable research skills which can improve the quality of their papers. It is up to the lecturer to help the student to go through such an experience to produce good results.
Below you will find some recommendations as to what you can have in mind when setting assignments that require library or internet research.

Have in mind that through a library assignment you:
- Enable students to avoid unnecessary frustration and enjoy the process of learning
- Familiarize students with materials, services and sources available in the library
- Help students discriminate between scholarly and non-scholarly information
- Help students refine their topics and aim at their specific research goal
- Teach students that valid research takes time

Enable students to avoid unnecessary frustration and to enjoy the process of learning.

Below we present some aids and reminders to lecturers assigning library assignments:

Set up a strategic plan…
Get to know your students…
Don’t assume that your students know anything about research or using the library regardless of what they say. They often will not admit that they don’t know much.


Provide clear expectations…
1.  A few lines with your objectives, can help students understand what you expect from their assignment.
2.  Discuss how many articles you want and how long they should spend on it.
3.  Ask students to present their research steps (e.g. a printout of their search strategy in a database or on the internet).
4.  Explain to them what quality research is (newspaper articles vs. scholarly articles; primary vs. secondary sources)
     and that not everything on the internet is considered scientific research.
5.  Teach them specific terminology – do your students understand what an “index” or an “abstract” is and how you
     expect them to use it?
6.  Indicate to them which citation style manual you would like them to use for their research assignment.
7.  Explain to them that not everything on the internet is considered scientific research, this is why you don’t want them to
     use only one specific source.


Set specific timing…
If the goal is to have the students write a well-researched paper for the end of the semester, start giving small assignments throughout the semester. For example,
- Ask them to find background information in an encyclopedia.
- Give them a list of relevant keywords and phrases to search in the library catalog; use the library catalog to find books
  on  the topic.
- Use databases with abstracts to find more recent information in magazines and journals. (Click on Databases & articles)
- Use other on-line resources selectively to locate authoritative, high-quality web sites (Click on Other E-Resources (by    
  Subject).
- Ask them to properly cite sources (check Evaluate Web resources).

Strategic placement of library orientation tours at the point of panic can prove very effective.


Restrict resources…
1.  How many students are in your class? Is there a sufficient variety of topics and material to avoid students competing
     for resources?
2.  Make sure that the library owns recommended readings. 
3.  Let them know that they are expected to use other libraries too, if our library does not own specific materials (e.g.
     University of Cyprus Library).
4.  The library provides various leaflets with subscription databases or other needed information (e.g. Pathfinders). Feel
     free to distribute these, or link them to your courses related web page if your have one.
5.  Specify resources you want your students to use for their assignment (reference book, current journals, specific
     databases). Resource lists give students a starting point and help them go to the most useful information source for a
     certain topic.
6.  Limit the overwhelming universe of resources available to them.


Consider developing an assignment with a librarian…
Collaborate with a librarian who can help you generate assignments with sources that are actually available. This also enables us to enrich the library with sources not available at the time as you may need to order specific items, or to create specific research guides customized for you needs.


Spare us and the students the ‘unexpected tension’…
Call the Circulation Desk and inform them of upcoming assignments and place materials on Reserve or request the purchase of materials we do not own.
- A class of 40 looking for one piece of information or researching the same specific topic (is especially difficult when 
  printed materials are involved and have not been placed on Reserve ahead of time).
- Students required using materials which the library does not own.
- Students working from partial/incomplete/incorrect citations.
- Students assigned vague or general topics, e.g., “women artists,” without guidance on narrowing that topic as to what
   kind of an artist.
- Students given obscure trivia questions or sent hunting around the library for some vague information.
- Students encouraged going to the University of Cyprus library before even exploring our own resources!
- Students encouraged using Interlibrary Loan when their paper is due in 2 days.
Such assignments lead to resentment rather than appreciation of library research.

Beyond this assignment…
Encourage your students to investigate other library services that might be useful later in their life or in their academic career.

Inform them that they can use:
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) – this service allows students to request materials from out of the country libraries.

Orientation Classes & Tours – remind students that we conduct basic tours of the library for the whole month of October as well as on demand throughout the semester, provided we have groups of at least 10 – 12 people. All students, staff and faculty are encouraged to join in.

For successful library instruction it is important to keep the following in mind:
- Schedule your library orientation in advance, through the Circulation Desk, so that there are no clashes. Have an
  alternative date in mind in case the preferred date is unavailable or in case there is an internet failure.
- Consider dividing the students into groups of 10 – 12 if your class is too big. The library has only a limited number of
  computer terminals.
- Talk with the librarian ahead of time and provide a copy of your class assignments so that the library orientation will be
  more relevant, informative and more interesting to your students. Timing the orientation around a specific assignment
  can make all the difference. Students find library orientation more meaningful when it is relevant and course-integrated.
- Accompany your class to the library orientation. Students are usually more motivated and involved when their lecturer
  participates and they are not left on their own. The absence of the lecturer gives the impression to them that the
  orientation is not of much importance.