IRINGA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
LIBRARY

Library Services

1. Computer Labs

Computer Labs, administered by Information Communication Technology Services, are located on the Library. All registered students can use the computers for word-processing, e-mail, Internet access, and other applications. The registered users are provided by username and password to enable them to logon to the computer.



2. Current Awareness Services

The IUCo Library provides a range of current awareness services designed to help users keep up to date with new resources, facilities and services. This provides members of academic staff and students with a listing of the latest references on your subject, drawn from databases on networked services and from new procured resources. The new resources, facilities and services are communicated to users through library website and notes boards.



3. Electronic Resources Services

The Library maintains electronic databases and full-text journals for users. Participation in the Programme for the Enhancement of Research Information (PERI) has enabled the library and its users access to a number of academic resources pertinent to their programmes. The library also subscribes to other useful online databases and full-text journals and books. The major Library electronic resources are already accessible via this service and more will be added.



4. Inter-Library Loans

Inter-Library Loans are currently not available in the IUCo Library. The library is planning to launch such service in the near future.

5. Lending services/ Circulation

The library maintains lending/circulation services to its users. Users in good standing with the University are allowed to borrow library materials from the general circulating collection. A valid student and staff ID card should be presented to check out library materials at the Circulation Desk. The normal loan period is two weeks. Materials may be renewed once, provided no one else has requested them. Fines are charged for failing to return the book within the allotted time period of two weeks. All books are returned to the library at the end of each semester; no books are signed out by students over the holidays, although users are allowed to use the library's resources within the facility during school breaks. Users who fail to return books for any reason are billed for their replacement cost.



6. Library Catalogue

The library uses the traditional paper card catalogue for bibliographic control of the items in the library. The card cabinets that contain author, title and subject cards are provided for users to search for information. The library is retrospectively converting the collection into a computer catalogue, incorporating an Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC). It has purchased and installed dedicated computer servers for the automation of the library operations. The open-source software (Koha) has been identified, modified and installed for this purpose. All networked computers on campus have been connected to the library database servers for access to the library holdings.



7. Orientation and information Literacy programmes

The Library has an information literacy and orientation programmes. Information literacy programme aims at training users on various issues of access such as searching, retrieving and evaluating both print and online resources to empower users with skills needed for their work. The users are also trained to use the library responsibly. It is through this programme that the users would use the library and its resources optimally and would fully exploit the benefits of the library.

Through orientation programme the Library offers a variety of ways for individuals or groups of new students to explore its facilities and services. The Library organizes introductory sessions to help new library users become familiar with services and facilities vital to their successful transition as full and active members of the IUCo community. Partnering collaboratively with other university offices and departments, these sessions help students gain the skills, information and meaningful relationships important to successful long-term academic and personal outcomes.



8. Photocopying and Binding

Photocopying and Printing services are currently unavailable for library users. These services are planned for the future.



9. Printing, binding and photocopying services

Printing services are available through a centre located in the library; binding and photocopying services are planned for the future. The printing centre is managed by one Information Communication Technology (ICT) staff member. Each and every student is provided with a certain number of pages to print for each semester.



10. Reference services

The reference collection is maintained by the library for the use of all users. These books do not leave the facility and are available for use at all times. Examples of reference books include encyclopedias, almanacs, dictionaries, directories, commentaries, and atlases. The print journals are also considered by the library as part of the reference collection, so they are also not circulated.



11. Special reserve collection (Short loan) services

The library maintains a Special Reserve Collection as a service to the faculty and students. The short loan collection is located behind the circulation desk. High demand materials, including faculty members' personal resources, are kept in this separate room and are available for in-library use only. These materials are available for a prescribed time frame and a valid IUCo identity card is required for all transactions. Special Reserve Collection materials are loaned for two hours. Fines are charged for failing to observe the time regulations.

Academic Staff
Academic staff who want groups of students to have access to material can put books and photocopied journal articles on Special Reserve for specific periods of time.

To put items on Short Loan, print and fill in two copies of the Special Reserve Collection form and HAND THEM IN at Special Reserve Collection TOGETHER WITH the books and journal articles.

Copies of the form are available in Special Reserve Collection section in the library.