Postgraduate Guide to Library Services

1. Starting to use the library

At the beginning of your programme of study, you will be given a tour of the library and an outline of library services. • A library account will be created for you. • You will also receive an information pack explaining how to become a member of the John Rylands Library at Manchester University, if you wish to do so.

2. Making enquiries

The librarian and/or the assistant will be pleased to help you with renewals or any information seeking enquiries you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any enquiries regarding library services.
Suggestions and feedback about the library service are always welcome. There is a suggestions box in the library for this purpose.

3. The Collection

Theology is the principal subject interest of the collection and the library holds around 30,000 items in total. Many of these resources are books but there are also journals, newspapers, audio visual material and dissertations.
The greater part of the collection is housed in the main library and the remainder is stored in separate locations such as the postgraduate reading room. The majority of the books in the collection are available to borrow although some are available on a reference only basis. The computerised library catalogue will indicate both the location of the books and their availability. • The library uses the Dewey classification scheme. You will find that most of the books are catalogued in the ‘200s’, which is the class number for theology. The class numbers on the end of each stack are intended to help you find your way around the library.

4. Library catalogue

There are two search terminals in the library and the catalogue can also be accessed online.
Click here to access the catalogue. The facility also allows you to log in and access your loan details using your unique reader code.

5. Borrowing

MA students are permitted to borrow up to 8 books for 21 days.
Research students may borrow 15 books for 28 days.
Books can be returned in person, by post (addressed clearly to the library) or outside of opening hours, via the returned books box in the library corridor.
Renewals As most postgraduate students reside away from College, it is acceptable for them to renew their books up to three times. However, these renewals must be made on or before the initial loan expires.
Reservations If a book/s have been reserved by another reader, you will be contacted by telephone or email. The book/s must be returned to College by the day the loan period expires.

6. Reading lists

Reading lists are compiled by course leaders and supplied to the library and to students. Every effort is made to ensure that all books on the reading lists are in the library and available to borrow before students arrive for the teaching block. However, occasionally, there may be problems with availability or cost.
It is not possible for the library to purchase multiple copies of the required reading. Consequently, the books on the required reading lists will be borrowed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you find that books you intended to read have already been borrowed, it is advisable to make reservations so that they can be passed onto you when returned (see reservations). Alternatively, it is advised that you try to locate the book in another library or purchase the book yourself.

7. Journals

The Belben library currently subscribes to 23 print journals. • The journals are displayed alphabetically in the main library and back issues are kept here for one year.
Older back issues are stored in the Postgraduate Reading Room. • Journals that have ceased publication and journals that the College no longer subscribes to are also stored in the Postgraduate Reading Room. •
All journal articles can be searched for via the catalogue and the journals may be borrowed or alternatively, articles photocopied.

8. Postgraduate reading room

This space is a dedicated study area for the use of postgraduate students.
It can be accessed at any time using the keypad on the door.
It holds a number of additional information resources such as key texts which are not to be borrowed or removed from the study area, back issues of journals and databanks of relevant articles.
The MA dissertations and thesis of former postgraduates students are also available here. There is one reference copy and one lending copy of each manuscript.

9. Postal service

Books may be posted out to students at their request. An email should be sent to the librarian listing the titles and authors of the books that are needed.
A fee of £2.50 is charged for the first book posted out and £1.50 for each additional book. An invoice will be posted with the books and the recipient should send a cheque made payable to Cliff College.

10. Photocopying

A photocopying machine is located in the main library. Students can purchase photocopy cards from the library office in the following units:
20 credits £1.00
50 credits £2.50
100 credits £5.00
UK Copyright regulations are to be observed at all times. Published works remain in copyright throughout an author's lifetime and for 70 years after his/her death. About 10% of the volume is suggested as an appropriate maximum amount to photocopy (this equates to about 1 chapter of a book or two articles from a journal). When copyright has expired, the work is considered by law to be in the public domain and it may be copied freely. Please ask the librarian if you require further information about copyright.

11. ITC Facilities

Powerpoints for laptop use are available in the study area of the main library and in the postgraduate reading room. Computer terminals are available in the computer room on the library corridor.

12. Security

Security of the library is a crucial priority for everyone at Cliff. All students are trusted and expected to use the library responsibly.